Back to the original discussion - qualifying employment or not, the lack of initiative and persistence that seems to be leading some, not all but some, of the graduating classes of 2009 and 2010 to choosing active duty, when that's NOT what they really want to do is at least a little disappointing to me.
I'm not saying that the military isn't a good and honorable profession - far from it, I'm actually saying almost the opposite. This isn't like picking a first choice college and us discussing having "fallback schools". We're talking about accomplished, world class young men and woman starting their careers after graduating a rigorous academic and professional development program that should have equipped them with the self confidence and determination to weather a few storms and then some in order to strive towards their goals.
To the current first class I say the following:
If after seeing all your options an opportunities, you've decided the military is the path so be it. However, if you picking it because your worried about what are you going to do for a paycheck in September 2010 after you graduate in June, my opinion is you are a) selling yourself short, b) doing a disservice to the soldiers, sailors or airmen you will be responsible for. and c) not seeing the forest for the trees with regards to what you need to be prepared for to deal with the next 50 years and beyond of your lives.
You are starting your lives and indeed it's not as dire as some make it seem since you can change your mind and your careers several times. However, a short term situation is no reason to do something your heart is not in either. Further put your heart in whatever you choose and you'll do it better and achieve success faster. Bottom line don't let fear and others opinions either way drive you to a decision on this. If you want a career in the maritime industry seek it out relentlessly and persistently. You don't need to have a job the day after graduation as long as you're willing to set a plan in motion and work at it. "Back in the day" the industry was in a down cycle and the guys who stuck with it have done just fine and indeed well. Further you can use your MMR position to help provide you with a meager living and fulfill your obligation without going active duty if that's something you want to do.
If you want to go active duty though IMO to make it work for you you should realize the best thing to likely do is make a first career of it and work at it until you are at least retirement eligible. That means again IMO that you need to have your heart in it, not use it as a "fallback" as I sense some are looking at it as.