Korean Job Discussion Forums

[matthews_world]

But is military life worth it?

However, with experience, native teachers here can outearn an non-officer soldier.

On the other hand, if you have a 4-year degree and join the U.S. armed forces you'll start up as a specialist and then fast track past corporal to seargant.

I recently researched the age limits for the different branches. The Army was the most inclusive at 42.

Sure they get the benefits throughout and after service but would you give up your freedom?

[AsiaESLbound]

You give up some freedom as you do for every job, but it's a career opportunity that offers 30 days paid leave a year, a place stay, food, educational benefits, health care, pension, and the list goes on. You are right in that the US Army pays more than teaching English. It's also possible to start as a 2nd lieutenant with a bachelors which is the professional executive track while enlistment as a specialist is the commoner career. It depends on if you want to be an officer guy in a command ops office or a specialist leading a team of young soldiers in the field to do a job.

After the first 6 months of training, you gain your freedom back where when you are off work or not on duty, you can wear regular clothes, and do what you want. For most, it's a 9 to 5 job in garrison when not deployed or in field training though they typically work out at 6:30am before eating breakfast and this usually means painfully long runs. In garrison most get weekends and American holidays off, but some such as police, medics, and cooks may not get much down time. This job is good for those who don't mind working hard to do what it takes to get a job done and who don't mind living with the fact they can be deployed to a war zone to fight or support a war most Americans care nothing about. The army gives many young guys a fighting chance at life which is worthy of a salute.

It's too easy to get injured or joints wearing out from so much running so it's tough to stay in 20 years should you be inclined to re-up enough times. Many career minded soldiers have to leave early with medical discharges, because it is extremely hard on your body, especially knees and back to do all that running on hardball and endure the hardships being a soldier carries. OP, if you are young, healthy, and want more challenges and rewards far greater than a JOB offers, go for it. It's an experience you that will change you in many unexpected ways and one you will never forget.

[Leon]

Then there is the whole war bit...

[engrishprease]

How much is "keeping your arms and legs intact" worth to you?

Better yet, if someone offered you $1,000,000 USD for your left arm, would you make the trade?

[iwillteachyouenglish]

Army also has what are in effect racial quotas, although they do not call them that. If you're white, you may be waiting a while for a promotion. I had a buddy who was in for many years, and the army would always tell him he had to get more color on his promotion list and they didn't care about who was best qualified, just meeting the quotas.

In the Korean teaching market, being white is a bonus.

On the other hand, the army offers some good benefits like the chance to retire very young. Teaching English is just going to give you some money to blow until you take a real job. I doubt you will have the means or will to save enough for a real retirement.

[conyo]

Your buddy has a lame excuse

The promotion system on the enlisted side is based on points up until E6. After that it's based on what jobs you worked (experience), your report cards, deployment history, how diversified you are within the Army, and civilian education.

That being said there are a certain number of minorities the Army would like to maintain throughout the rank structure. Does that mean some turd is going to get promoted over someone who has busted their butt and performed with excellence....Not a chance!

Scared of war? Really you probably have a higher chance of getting hit by a car or motorcycle on the sidewalk out here. Deployments are tough and demanding so they are not for everyone. Casualties do occur but then again we're not in the Army to get rich. We're here to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic.

[Smee]

I think "not earning a living by entering a foreign country and learning to kill it's inhabitants" is an important advantage of English teaching over soldiering.

[Leon]

[passport220]

[sallymonster]

I have asthma (diagnosed at age 16) and therefore cannot join any branch of the US military, even if I really wanted to. I would be disqualified for medical reasons. So those military pay and benefits mean nothing to me because they are not an option for me.

[wylies99]

Teaching and serving in the military are two entirely different professions. Comparing the salaries is just not a smart thing to do.

[Unposter]

In America, teaching never pays. If you are interested in money, try a different profession. If you are interested in teaching, even that you can do in the military, it is just a question of what and where and to a certain extent why you want to teach.

When it comes to money, teachers rarely see the right side of the stick.

[northway]

They also get sent to Iraq and get shot at. I recently talked to a guy who'd been in the service for eight years and had done three tours in Iraq. Hazard pay, to say the least.

[matthews_world]

Some good points.

Seems like any person with just a bachelor's degree, in order to get a foot in the door to elite jobs in this downward economy, not only does it take networking & youth to be on your side, but it's my observation that employers are looking for Ivy League educations or military experience.

Teaching in Korea is a good way to getaway from the rat race that is corporate America. Rather than have my intellectual property entitled to the guise of private company, I prefer to pass on my own perspectives to students.

[isthisreally]

Officers in Korea have about a $3000 monthly housing allowance. You should see what that kind of money can rent in Seoul.