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JakubMaximilian
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Is it hard to stay Catholic in the armed forces? What branch do think would be best in this regard? Should I enlist, or try to become an officer (I’m a College Junior)?
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Irishmom2
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I think some of that may depend on whether you are making a career out of your service, or not. I would suggest finishing college at this point, you are almost there anyway.
Some people think that you should only go in by enlisting, and gaining rank by going through the usual promotion through the ranks. Others feel that going in as an officer because you already have been to college is fine.
Some people think that you should only go in by enlisting, and gaining rank by going through the usual promotion through the ranks. Others feel that going in as an officer because you already have been to college is fine.
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Convert3
Guest
Staying Catholic in the military is largely you practicing your faith and ignoring the things of the world that tempt you. In other words, it’s the same as civilian life.
I was in the Air Force from 1982-1995 as an officer that was commissioned through OTS. If you’re still in college, check to see if there is an ROTC program and get into it if you can.
Officer life means better pay, better quarters, and more responsibility. I’ve known many great people that had excellent careers as enlisted. Some noncommissioned officers can become officers later, but there is no guarantee. It depends largely on your performance and getting the recommendations you need. Many in my OTS class were prior enlisted.
Choosing which service mostly depends on what you want to do. I wanted to fly, so I joined the Air Force and flew as a navigator on HC-130 aircraft. Technology has done away with many navigators, so that’s not likely an option. My eyesight prevented me from going to pilot training.
Check out ROTC and they can guide you to different possibilities.
I was in the Air Force from 1982-1995 as an officer that was commissioned through OTS. If you’re still in college, check to see if there is an ROTC program and get into it if you can.
Officer life means better pay, better quarters, and more responsibility. I’ve known many great people that had excellent careers as enlisted. Some noncommissioned officers can become officers later, but there is no guarantee. It depends largely on your performance and getting the recommendations you need. Many in my OTS class were prior enlisted.
Choosing which service mostly depends on what you want to do. I wanted to fly, so I joined the Air Force and flew as a navigator on HC-130 aircraft. Technology has done away with many navigators, so that’s not likely an option. My eyesight prevented me from going to pilot training.
Check out ROTC and they can guide you to different possibilities.
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TMC
Guest
21 year Marine retiree here, these are my thoughts:
Good luck!
No, not at all. The military is very supportive of religious service members. All units have a chaplain. Not all chaplains are Catholic, but every base generally has at least one priest. You will miss Mass sometimes by military necessity, but the Church understands that.Is it hard to stay Catholic in the armed forces?
They are all fine. You should choose based on what branch you want to be in. The Air Force has a rep for being evangelical, and the Marine Corps has a lot of Catholics, but any should be fine.What branch do think would be best in this regard?
I was both, started enlisted, got commissioned. Get a commission if you can, and if you think that is your calling. Its a serious thing to do, but the officer life is better in many ways, especially if you hang in for a career. If your school has a ROTC program, there may be officers there that can talk to you. If not, Marine Corps officers are recruited by “Officer Selection Officers” (not sure what the other branches call them). If you just walk into a recruiting station they may just talk you into enlisting, so make sure you carefully consider both options.Should I enlist, or try to become an officer (I’m a College Junior)?
Good luck!
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RepetantCatholic
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Well, I have very little experience in the military. You are a junior in college, but I don’t know what your major is. Something you may consider is joining the OCS (Officer Candidate School) with the intention of going to Law School. The services offer tuition pay in return for service and law school is expensive.
My brother in-law was a Marine Corp Reservist for about twenty years. I think he made it to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, either that or Staff Sargeant. I have respect for the Marine Corps, but he would agree in terms of long term career training other branches are more suitable.
So, were I you I would look into going into the Navy or Army. I lasted two weeks in the OCS of Marine Corps before I dropped. It’s no joke and the majority of people there were former enlisted or had family legacy in the military. I don’t regret the experience but I would have rather have done Navy, Air Force or maybe even Army as they are much less intense and the career gain is bigger.
That’s just my experience.
My brother in-law was a Marine Corp Reservist for about twenty years. I think he made it to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant, either that or Staff Sargeant. I have respect for the Marine Corps, but he would agree in terms of long term career training other branches are more suitable.
So, were I you I would look into going into the Navy or Army. I lasted two weeks in the OCS of Marine Corps before I dropped. It’s no joke and the majority of people there were former enlisted or had family legacy in the military. I don’t regret the experience but I would have rather have done Navy, Air Force or maybe even Army as they are much less intense and the career gain is bigger.
That’s just my experience.
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Nepperhan
Guest
My high school homeroom teacher served in the Navy before becoming a priest. Although this was 50 years ago, there does not seem to be a bar for a serviceman remaining Catholic.
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