This is bullsh**. The dream act is my only shot of being able to join the Navy after I get my degree (which I'm in the process of getting, I'm in my freshmen year).

Also, I want to add a small point that is misleading in this article. It says that military contracts are 8 years long, while that is true, they aren't telling you the full story. In the military you are required to serve a minimum of 4 years active, 4 years inactive (there are other options like 6 years active 2 years inactive etc you choose to do that). During those 4 years inactive you are pretty much a civilian and can even get fat or go to school if you want. The military will only call on you if they absolutely need you. For example, if the US was suddenly attacked and there were not enough volunteers they would call on the reserves/national guard. If there aren't enough of those in a given area of the country they call in the inactive soldiers until a draft can be put into place via lottery. Also, in the military you can still pursue a degree (depending on your MOS, or "job" in the military, you may or may not finish before your enlistment is over, which is generally 4 years). However, the military pays for for a small amount per term while you are enlisted (since you don't earn your GI bill until after 4 years with an Honorable discharge). Once you get out you can use your GI bill and have them pay for the rest of your schooling. Finish your bachelors, or if you have a bachelors have them pay for your masters sometimes people have enough left over to pay for part of their PhD.

The purpose of the dream act is to give people an opportunity to better their country with skills they have. Military service and getting a college education are one of them. 910 hours of community service? What good is that if you just end up going to work at walmart for the next 40 years of your life =/. The military is ALL about an getting an education, its why they provide servicemen with opportunities to get one. You can't join the military if you don't have a Highschool diploma or GED. You need to take the ASVAB test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) and if you score to low you can't join. You can't join if you are a convicted felon for major things like domestic violence etc.

Plus the military is a great option for older folk who maybe never got the chance to study and are in a dead end job. Age cap for services vary but the US. Army age gap is 39? Meaning if you join at 30 you can complete your enlistment.

The military isn't a prison for those who join, its very flexible for those interested in joining.

Active Duty: You work full time for the US. Military and are the first to be called on, often spend most of time stationed at a base.

Reserve Duty: Live your life as a civilian, train 1 weekend a month, 2 weeks a year to keep your skills sharp. Called on only if needed.

National Guard: Pretty much the same as Reserve duty, except you fulfill a state commitment and a federal commitment. National guard are the soldiers you see helping out when there is a natural disaster (this is the state commitment), and are called upon by the President of the united states in times of war(federal commitment). For example, during WW I and II the national guard formed 40% of the US military fighting force. And is the oldest branch in the military going back over 360 years, to before there was a united states.

I personally think serving in the military is an honorable thing to do, community service? Please. What are we? inmates being forced to work for free?