Lately I've been sick of selling real estate - putting on a smile when I hate the person already and taking crap and being treated like a peon from people in the chance that they might buy.

I'm stopping in a few months to go finish up college (for a degree in business). I've never deviated from my final goal of becoming a real estate developer, but lately I've been debating on what I want to do directly after I leave college. Either I can start up a real estate developing company with one of my best friends, a brilliant kid - or I can take a couple years off and join the military.

There are quite a few veterans on this board, so I was hoping I could get a little feedback and some ideas of what branch (military / navy / airforce / marines) I should join?

Thanks

Why do you want to deviate so radically. The military is a honourable thing to do but (sorry) why. I have a lot of man friends that have gone through basic training in the army, and air force. They all went into this with the notion that this was going to be camp work your ass off and get and education. I am not knocking the military just questioning the reason for it I guess. Sorry if this offends and military people. Just curious I guess. I hope you have the personality to be told what to do and when to do it and how to do it because that is a lot of the military. Also could you kill someone if you were in a situation like a friend of mine in Iraq. He has a roughly 10 boy throw a grenade at their hummer and kill his best friend in his platoon. My friend had to shot this boy or die. It has really messed him a lot. There are a lot of pros and cons for this decision and I hope you make the right one. I do agree school is always a good thing to go and do.

Thanks shortstuff - I didn't want to deviate too far from my path, I just wanted the experience of the military for a few years, to experience things that I have not yet gotten the chance to experience and to grow.

I don't mind taking orders from a person who I respect - my qualms with selling were because these fat, arrogent people treated me as a servant because I was helping them out.

I know what being in the military entails. I would likely have to kill - not something that I would enjoy doing, but something I could do if the need arose.

Thanks shortstuff - I didn't want to deviate too far from my path, I just wanted the experience of the military for a few years, to experience things that I have not yet gotten the chance to experience and to grow.

I don't mind taking orders from a person who I respect - my qualms with selling were because these fat, arrogant people treated me as a servant because I was helping them out.

I know what being in the military entails. I would likely have to kill - not something that I would enjoy doing, but something I could do if the need arose.

Cool, I am glad you have put a lot of thought into this. So many of my friend that live in the USA join for the wrong reasons. They think it is a way to get away from home and maybe things will be better for them.
I also hear you on the part of doing a service for others and having them treat you like a servant that they scrapped off their boots.
I work in childcare and love my job, but I do get clients that ask why I like to be a babysitter? OMG I am not a babysitter she is a girl that sits on a couch watching TV and eating all your food. lol
My job is so much more then that. I love working and teaching the kids. They are such sponges and I hope that I can make a difference now before they get on a path too far.
Good luck with all of this and wish you well in what ever you choose.

Go US Air Force.
Great career opportunities, proud heritage, and superior quality of life.
(My brother and his wife were career Air Force aviators, and they loved it.)

I was US Army for many years, and to this day I serve the Army proudly, albeit in a slightly different capacity.

That said, I can't honestly steer you in the direction of the Army, because I think you've probably got too many years under your belt to be trying to adapt from the civilian business world to the demands of the US Army. (Young, young folks adapt to the Army better than fully-formed adults.) That, and they've still got some growing pains to get through with regard to certain Transformation initiatives. If you still feel attracted to the Army, I can give you some good advice about the Warrant Officer Aviator program.
(My own background.)

PM me, if you'd like to fly Apaches, Kiowas, Chinooks, or Blackhawks, and don't mind sleeping in the mud every now and then, in between piloting your multi-million dollar helicopter around the Sunni Triangle in search of terrorist assholes who are busily at work emplacing IED's at roadside ambush stations, etc.

I am told that pumping them full of .50 cal or 30mm rounds is quite satisfying and rewarding. Much more so than dealing with jerks who may or may not purchase that house you are trying to sell.

Again, PM me.

Yes, but when you're a Navy man, you have pretty girls in every port, not to mention pet parrots, loads of grog, and sea chests full of plunder.

No! There's a war on. You're not allowed to go. I vote no. :(

No! There's a war on. You're not allowed to go. I vote no. :(


Well I kinda agree also... but you already know my views on the situation.

Don't listen to her. Join the Marines and be a man, by killing some raghead whelps and drinking their blood.

Then return to be a tortured soul selling expensive real estate in California, which by that time will be its own nation.

If I were to join today, I'd go Air Force or Navy. Being in the Navy is pretty safe - very few of our ships are harassed in any way - and you do get to visit some interesting places. Few Navy folks actually see any individual combat. Generally it's only the folks doing the flying that are getting shot at. The same cannot be said for the Air Force. They have their bases near where the combat is happening, just as the Army & Marines do. The problem with the Navy is being on a ship. While it's at sea, there's no such thing as a "day off". No boat is big enough for me to be on for 6 months at a time. Join the Army or Marines and you're pretty much going into a combat zone as soon as they can get you there.

Don't listen to her. Join the Marines and be a man, by killing some raghead whelps and drinking their blood.

Then return to be a tortured soul selling expensive real estate in California, which by that time will be its own nation.
For some reason, this made me howl with laughter...perhaps it is a tad too close to the truth.

If I were to join today, I'd go Air Force or Navy. Being in the Navy is pretty safe - very few of our ships are harassed in any way - and you do get to visit some interesting places. Few Navy folks actually see any individual combat. Generally it's only the folks doing the flying that are getting shot at. The same cannot be said for the Air Force. They have their bases near where the combat is happening, just as the Army & Marines do. The problem with the Navy is being on a ship. While it's at sea, there's no such thing as a "day off". No boat is big enough for me to be on for 6 months at a time. Join the Army or Marines and you're pretty much going into a combat zone as soon as they can get you there.
Yeah navy was very, very good for a friend of mine. He became the youngest captain ever give his own ship and rose through the ranks very quickly. Only thing is the length of time they send you out...six or more months at a time...sometimes with little land time....