[rms]

OK... I would think that if you really want to do it, do it. I respect military service as something of a quintessential human experience. I'd consider it myself if I wasn't such an anti-military liberal weenie.

Realize, however, that bait and switch is common. You're told you'll be working in one place but really you'll end up somewhere else. The Coast Guard may not send you to Iraq but they very well may send you to some God forsaken island in the middle of the Pacific. If you're not mentally prepared for that worst case scenario, you shouldn't sign up.

[potrerohill]

Realize, however, that bait and switch is common

Yeah, I've heard that. That's why I was thinking coast guard. There are 8000 reservists and only 400 are "active." Of course I might get activated but it seems like most of the work to be done is in the USA.

[thebigshane]

This isn't really for you or the submitter, but for others reading: the Air Force can guarantee you certain jobs (if you pass certain easy tests) and you do get a "wish list" of 8 bases that the AF will do their best to fulfill one of. ...and to remind people that military == self sacrifice. As rms said, if you aren't prepared to sacrifice many areas of your life, don't do it.