What advice would you offer someone who planned on joining the Army out of high school?

Get in shape, get your affairs in order, and get ready for the ride! The Army is an adventure and you get exactly what you put into it. Be honest with yourself about what you expect.

Consider life after the Army if you plan on a single enlistment or plan to retire. In either case, you will probably have to work. Combat arms specialties are critically important to teh mission, and typically get promotions faster, but they don't translate well after you leave. If you go combat arms, take advantage of educational opportunities while you are in.

Consider the Air Force! Seriously any high school graduate who isn't sure what to do with his/her life should really consider joining the military, assuming they meet the basic qualifications. Beyond that, do the best you can throughout basic and trust the aptitude tests that steer you to any given specialty. Get all the training that is offered to you then become an expert in your field. If you decide the military isn't for you at the end of your commitment you have all your training and benefits to fall back on. Sure beats flipping burgers while you try to decide what to do in life.

stay in for the 20yrs,,,,,,,,,,best thing I ever did was somehow make 20 years because of active duty USMC 12yrs, Natl GD 3yrs activated then released to active duty Army for 6 yrs. I was lucky due to the war on terror, Iraq/Afghanistan I was allowed back,needed, stayed depolyed....Retired 2012, had initially enlisted 1988 was at PISC 2 days outta highschool. I would of been better off staying in the USMC at least one more stripes worth, so changing gun clubs does slow your progression a bit. But all in all it worked out and my retirement $$$ has greatly improved my quality of life . So in conclusion, get in, stay in the same service, get promoted and STAY 20:) I work with civilians who will by necessity work until the day they die...........................................

Start out in a combat arms MOS and change to a skill MOS half way through so that you can get the training and experience for civilian life. Some thing like Air traffic controller, Mp, something you can make a living at on the street. But one of the Big things I would say Is keep a copy of all of your own records that you can from medical to dental to your 201 file if possible you never know when it will come in handy. Get collage in while in service to many on line schools now not to take advantage!

Go MI. You shouldn't have done anything to ruin your chances for a clearance yet. And if you can get into MI and obtain a TS/SCI clearance it can help you in the civilian world when you decide to get out. And you will obtain a lot of great skills. Briefing, Office skills, computer skills, writing skills, and the ability to do research and put together products and graphs that translate well to the corporate environment. All something that can transfer to your civilian life. It's also a great gateway to working for the CIA, FBI, Homeland security and TSA.

Go to recruiters(all of them )and see what is offered. Go back and weigh
What would be best. It'S your life and your potential career! Take time to think
On it before jumping in over your head!
Whatever you decide to do, wishing you the best!

To anyone joining, find someone who is in or has been in who can advise you. Do NOT speak with a recruiter until you've done a lot of your own research. Ask other vets (not recruiters) about their experience. They get bonuses for every soldier who completes BCT and AIT. They'll like and tell you otherwise if asked.
I got screwed out of a $3000 bonus when I joined. Even if someone had helped me then, I still would have joined.

Do your research before going to the recruiter. Know what you want. Take your asvab before seeing a recruiter if you can. Do your research on the MOS's you think you want. Pick 5 and put them in the order you want. Walk in trying to get the one you want but be ready to accept something else.

I think it's a positive step in a person's life to take advantage of a once and a life time opportunity.