Well, it's not official yet. But I'm almost there. I spent 5 hours at the recruiter's office today working out the details. If all goes well, I'll be sworn in on Friday.
If anyone knows me, this would come as quite a surprise. I never really considered the military until a few days ago when I felt there was no other option.
I have been struggling to get by for a while. I had been unemployed for the majority of the last 2 years. I had good work for most of 2008 until I was laid off at the end of the summer because the economy was in trouble. I had been looking for work and applying for jobs but nothing worked out. I wasn't able to pay my rent last month or this month and was preparing to be evicted.
I went to the recruiter on Saturday but they were closed. I went in this morning and got all of the information and asked to be fast-tracked so I could be on my way by the end of the month.
I haven't told anyone but my family, who live on the other side of the country. I am feeling incredibly saddened that it had come to this and regret not being able to take care of things on my own terms. I will have to sacrifice the fairly comfortable life I had been living considering I had next to no money. I will have to give up my cat which I've had for 6 years. I don't know what will happen to her. I have a few outstanding debts and other entanglements which will have to get worked out in the next few weeks. Hopefully things will sort themselves out.
I was very displeased to learn that I wouldn't be able to take my laptop with me to boot camp, considering it's the one thing I've been leaning on for enjoyment in these tough times.
I wish I had considered this sooner. I'm 27 years old. I went to college but never finished so this will give me an opportunity to do that once I'm out. I wish I could have traveled more, so this will give me a chance to do that while I'm in. My resume obviously wasn't cutting it, so this will provide me with a way to pad it. I won't have to worry about money or a place to live. All of that will be provided.
In the coming weeks, I'll provide updates here on my experience when I can. After a time, that will stop. You won't be hearing from me for a while.
UPDATE: Thanks for the recs. I'm glad that so many people here are supportive of my choice. I've been kind of sad all day, but you all have helped cheer me up.