I'm sure this questions gets asked a-lot, but I still haven't herd a good answer. I'm 18 and I really don't have anything going for me right now, I've always been curious about joining the Military but there are some things holding me back.

1) I'm not exactly the most "in shape" person, and I know that the training is extremely tough, I honestly don't know if I could even endure something like that. I wouldn't want to put all this effort into this to have nothing happen in the long run.

2) I'm scared, I see this as one of the most scariest things I could encounter in my life. The fact that if I did join, I'd be facing death in the face everyday and just thinking about it makes me panic.

I've been really thinking about this lately, but these things are holding me back. Any advice?

Truthfully if your out of shape and having panic attacks at the mere thought of serving perhaps you should explore other options.

Answers:
1. Get on a workout program, they are all over the net, find one and stick with it.
2. Get a dog, no really if you are terrified maybe not for you, but fear is there for almost everyone, and if someone says he has never been scared and has been in the Military for more than a while he is probably a. Stupid, so dumb he is not afraid. or b. Lying

It actrully depends on what service because they all run different programs for basic, boot camp what ever you want to call it.

I hate to rain on your parade but there isn't really too many jobs you would do in the military where you would "face death" on a daily basis. Join the Air Force and be ground crew for a bomber sqaudron if that's your issue. They'll keep you way away from the fighting... or you could get your act together and become a tanker in the Army . Taking the fight to the enemy's front door is a lot more fun.

Sounds like the Air Force would be a good fit for you if you wanna try out the military. You can get a taste of military life without actually putting yourself in harms way.

I think the honesty of the poster here is admirable. He is expressing in words what many people feel deep down. And a truthful admission of where you are is surely a prerequisite for any job in the military.

I'll tell you this, it's better than having a fake Rambo.

Thank you all for your input. I've never put any thought into joining the airforce, but after looking into it, I can't really say that its ruled out. But originally I was thinking more of the Army or Marines. And I don't mean to offend anyone, but I have been told that joining the army is a death wish. I don't know how much I believe that, but it does freak me out.

I may be out of shape, but if I do decide to enlist, I'm planning on getting back in shape a year or two prior. As for me being scared, I really don't know, I feel like this is something I need to do, but I can't get over the fact that I might end up paying for it with my life. Some people have told me that they were scared to, but they just bit their tongue and tried not to think about it. I don't know, I really feel this is the only thing holding me back. Its like I want to be right in the action, but I don't know how to handle all of this.

For the people who have served time, how did you cope with all this? I'm having a very difficult time doing so.

Well there are all kinds of benefits for you. Think of it this way you will be working for a wonderful cause. And all you have to do is get your mental strategy in boot camp. If you can get it all in order you will be just fine and my suggestion try for the NROTC scholarship. If you get it take it. It will be the best thing you ever do. BlackHawk