I’m at a crossroads

[thepatriot2705]

I need some advice from some you all. I’m a 27 year old millennial working a corporate job. I recently took a second job where my coworker is an ex AF Pararescue jumper. Since working with him, I have questioned some decisions in my past. In college, I was in Air Force ROTC with the goal of becoming a fighter pilot. I was a highly motivated cadet for the first year but slowly became demotivated. I ended up dropping 1.5 years in. A lot of this stemmed from the fact that I wanted a “normal” life. I never had a lot of friends and I wanted to be like everyone else. I declared as a business major and went about my business. Completed my undergrad at 23. MBA by time I was 25. Been in a corporate environment for the past couple years. I don’t neccesarily dislike it, but I feel there is something bigger than me that I should be doing. It also has taken me years of intense self reflection to get my head on straight without seeing a shrink and without going on dope.

Given the fact that I’m 27, my preferred military options are tight. My ideal roles are either a pilot or Pararescue. Pararescue’s motto “so that others may live” rings deeply with me. Sure, flying jets seems like a thrill and my dream job since I was a kid. But being on the ground with highly motivated and highly trained men is immensely appealing to me. I’ve always been one to stick my neck out for others and put myself in somewhat dangerous situations. (I’ve helped over 5 dozen people change tires on the side of the highway over the past 8 years. Intervened on the behalf of 4 girls in college when a random car started harassing them at 3 in the morning...story for a different day).
Long story short, I think I would exemplify that motto.

My hang ups right now are
1) age. Would likely need a waiver and I won’t be 100% physically fit for 6-12 months. (Swim is weak and recovering from athletic related injury last year)
2) situation. Are these feelings because I don’t have the career and life I dreamed of? (I like my job for the most part...it just seems like there is more out there)
3) political climate. This country is tearing itself apart. Why defend the country and constitution from foreign enemies when our own people are going after various amendments, trying to abolish the electoral college, etc.


I don’t even know what to ask directly. I’m completely lost in life as I’m well educated and still have multiple options I can pursue.
1) could go back to business school and get a second MBA which might land me on my dream corporate gig
2) join the military in some capacity
3) settle with my situation and live a middle class life (I’ve never been one to settle and always push myself.)

[prepare]

Service requires sacrifice. True service isn't about being batman though and much of the time it doesn't "feel" good and there's no immediate gratification, reward, or even notice. So check your motivations and intent. Doing some soul searching to determine/decide what you value (not what society values) and doing what is meaningful to you. Life questions can certainly be tough.

[Wake27]

People in this country will always seem to be trying to tear it apart, that shouldn’t affect anyone’s choice to join the military unless you’re also considering LE. You have to figure out which you want though, and work very hard for it. The paths to pilot and SOF are very different but if you wash out of either, you’ll probably be stuck in a job that makes you feel the same way you do now, because most jobs in the military are not very adventurous.


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[mark5pt56]

Join the reserves and go back to school.

[Bulletdog]

Your story is hauntingly familiar... That pretty much sums up how I felt and what I did prior to finding my niche.

Given what you've explained above, I don't see how you'll ever be "happy" as a cog in the corporate wheel.

Here is an idea that may help: When I was in college and getting more and more frustrated with stupid classes and subjects that had nothing to do with my major and eventual intended career, I went to a counselor. I picked her at random out of about 100 counselors that served my stated major at my large college. I explained the "problem" and she took a different tactic. She started asking me about my hobbies and jobs. Through this line of questioning she referred me to a different college that I would never have found on my own that related to my interests. This led to my current career that I would never have even thought of if it hadn't been for that woman on that one pivotal day. I'm typing this right now while on the job. I'm in a fancy Harrah's hotel in a resort here in CA and getting paid to be here. Getting paid stupid amounts of money for an easy and fun job doing something I love doing.

My point: What do you love? What are your hobbies and interests? Can you find a fulfilling career doing something that appeals to you? Something that you love? I've met many people who have a job that they hate, but they do it so that they can pay for the things they enjoy in whatever small amount of free time the job allows. Most of these people are pretty miserable and from where I'm sitting they do not seem "fulfilled". I wonder what will run through their mind as they lay on their death bed at the end of their life. My mother and father both fall into this category. So sad. A life mostly wasted. Me on the other hand: For two decades, I've been saying that if I die tomorrow, I will have lived a full life and done everything I wanted to do. I'll have no regrets. Nothing missing. I started falconry a few years ago and couldn't be happier with it. My current career makes new things like this easy and possible. I've discovered many new things like this over the years and had the time, freedom and finances to pursue whatever I want. Like you, I take great pleasure in helping others. I also help people on the side of the road and help old ladies safely get to their cars in an icy parking lot, and help load the heavy bags. Like you, I won't tolerate innocents getting harassed or accosted. Those things aren't part of my job, but they are still part of who I am as I travel the world.

I hope that looking at this through the eyes of the people who reply to your thread here will give you some food for thought and maybe take you in the right direction. I hope you figure out what you are looking for, and then find it! Good luck to you.

[Firefly]

You could always be a paramedic

[Pappabear]

I don't see how getting another MBA would land your dream job, but if you care to share....and if it would work, then go for it. You can still help others on nights and weekends.

I agree with others you can you do a lot to help other people while carrying on with a "regular" job. I think military service is a great option, but usually for people with fewer opportunities than you. And with your age and health condition, getting the dream job in the military could be tuff. Many a many of men and women went into the military to help others and left without fulfilling their dreams. Sad but true.

I have no idea what your chances are in the military, but just consider what the various outcomes could be vs what is your dream. Go see a recruiter or better recruiterS, and see what they say. Talk to people that have done the jobs you think you want. You are smart to be doing some soul searching and asking a lot of questions. Right now continue that research and research and research before you do anything rash.

Best of luck.

PB

[docsherm]

Join the reserves and go back to school.

This...... but clarify something, You have a MBA and want another one? Like with a focus in something else?

[The_War_Wagon]

Join the reserves and go back to school.

Have you considered the seminary, my son?

If you're a Protestant who'll baptize a baby, you can join as a military chaplain up to age 42. If you're Catholic, they'll take you at ANY age or medical condition! And prior (reserve or active) service will get you promoted faster, in what is admittedly a VERY slow to promote zone of consideration.

[Wake27]

If he wants adventure, the reserves/guard will likely be an even worse route.


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