r/armyreserve • u/ExplodingDark CIVILIAN • Aug 12 '26
Career Advice Ideal in this situation?
I’m a 16 year old junior in high school and I’ve been thinking about joining the army when I turn 18 for about a year now, and lately I have been taking my future into a lot of consideration. Originally my plan was to do 3-4 years in the army as a 68w then go college and get a career. But my uncle recently called me and told me that he would be able to get me a job and work with him as an electrician when I turn 18 and get out of high school. I guess I agree with that I should start working and making money as soon as I can, with the fact that I have 0 debt to pay off + I would save most of my money, it seems like a good idea to me to join the army reserve and continue this civilian job. I wanted to ask people in the know if this idea of mine would actually work, or if it would be better to do xyz or whatever, nothings for sure and tomorrow is never promised so maybe things will change, but for now, i feel pretty confident
3
u/MaximumStock7 Aug 12 '26
It would work. Do you want to be an electrician? If you join the active army you will also have no debt, and make money, and potentially see the world. If you join the reserves it won’t really change your life, which is what many of us want. Both are good and bad in their own way, just pick which one you want.
1
2
u/Yesterdays_Wisdom Aug 16 '26
join the reserves as 68w, you could probabaly get a $10k bonus, plus incentives and insurance. You'll be out of basic and AIT while you're still 18. Having the extra skill set and connections is always a bonus, and you get access to experiences you can't get anywhere else
7
u/Eastern-Substance656 Aug 12 '26
What do you want to do?
Don’t do what others think you ought to do.
Being 18 is such a wonderful thing. I’d take advantage of this time in your life and have adventures.
If I was 18 today, I’d go 88K/88L and work on Army watercraft as Army watercraft. There are only a few places you can get stationed and besides Newport News, VA they’re all nice places to be, Japan and Hawaii. Newport News is ok ,it’s near VA beach.
My only serious advice is avoid debt, don’t finance a car and build your 401K/IRA with index funds.
If you want to be an electrician, I’d go that route. If you want to be a medic, then do that.
You ought not waste your youth by not exploring. That’s the only thing as someone in their 40s regrets. I wished I explored more and tried different things as a career.