I think the military is a good option. I know many people might be hesitant to join because of the chance of being deployed, which is valid, but I believe the positives outweigh the negatives My background: I enlisted in the Army in 2001 and spent five years on active duty as a lab tech. Currently, I am in the National Guard. Once I finish my BSN, I will be re-entering active duty as an officer. I chose to go back into the military for two reasons: 1. The military will pay back my student loans 2. I will gain 3 years of experience Once my 3 years is up, I may continue serving or I may get out. If I decide to get out, I will have 3 years of experience under my belt, which will make me more marketable. Also, I can tell you from experience, the military will expose you to situations you will rarely see in the civilian world. As a lab tech, I've traveled to various places and have been trained in procedures uncommon for civilian lab techs. Now, the chance of deployment is great. If you have a family, especially young children, this may not settle well with you. However, the work you'll be doing if deployed is important and will expose you to many stressors and situations that will prove to be valuable in your future career. Joining the military was a good decision for me, and I recommend it, but it's not for everyone. Good luck with your search! Toast40