Joining the Army to Pay Off Student Loan Debt

Should I Join the Military to Pay Off My Student Loan Debt?

This is the question that many ask.  I, too, wondered if I should join the military after school.  I decided that I did not want to give up the time I had with my wife, but probably would have if I was single.  The reality is that many graduates, of both undergrad and law school are giving up civilian life in order to pay off their loans, make a living, and have a secure job.

Man Joins the Army to Pay Off Student Loans

Source:  Above The Law

Money Quote: 

McGregor graduated from law school in May 2008, passed the Minnesota state bar and was sworn in as an attorney in late October.

He was convinced he’d get a “good job right away,” circulating his resume and taking an unpaid internship at a legal aid clinic. Later that year, he went back to work for his family’s roofing distribution business, where he had worked every summer for 13 years.

He was licensed to practice law, but he was driving a forklift and managing roofing material orders for $15 an hour, no benefits.

“I’d load up the pick-up truck or unload returns, it was pretty much manual labor,” he said. And his $1,200 a month student loan bills began to pile up….

“I was just being realistic. I’d be paying those loans off forever and I knew interest compounding would make (the total) go up,” McGregor said. “I couldn’t think of any better options.”

Does this mean that every law graduate is doomed to have the same fate that McGregor had regarding not finding legal work?  No, it does not.  However, what it does mean is that you should keep all options open, just as McGregor said.  Truth is, however, that many will just sit at home and whine instead of enlisting, because it's more comfortable to live with mother and father.



"I risked my life to pay off $108,000 in student loans"

Source: CNN Money

His first convoy in Iraq was attacked by an RKG-3, a Russian anti-tank hand grenade. He and his colleagues were regularly fired upon in Afghanistan. One of his buddies lost his legs to land mines. He also lost friends in Afghanistan.

 I feel that this article is trying to add some shock to the fact that the military is dangerous.  But so is civilian life.  For example, living with mother and father for long periods of time after adulthood destroys the mind.   If you don't believe me, check out JD Underground.

Also, one has to remember that with high pay and job security, there comes risk.  I come from a family with a few military men and women.  Let me just say that most got a great amount of satisfaction out of their jobs.  Is the military for everyone?  No.  But, that does not mean that you should discount the idea of joining.  Plus, it's probably a lot more fun and rewarding than Big Law.

Of course, the Above the Law article forgot to mention the following:

[McGreagor] was only required to be active in the Army three years, but he liked it so much that he stayed. When he leaves the Army, he'll be subject to be recalled for eight years, if the Army needs him.

He said he has no regrets.

"Joining the Army is something people can only decide for themselves," he said. "It was a great opportunity. . . I don't think any other job would be close to this."