Considering joining the military?

Hi all, I'm considering joining the military, most likely the Army but still looking at the other branches. My long term goal is documentary and/or intelligence photography (maybe through dinfos). I'm struggling with a few things. I'm worried how I'll do separated from my family. I also worry about getting injured and being unable to support myself. I may want a family of my own one day and I know I want to own my own home....but how likely is it that I'll end up stationed near my home (Louisiana) and stable/paid enough to own a home? If I join the military does it mean I will have to put all my things in storage, close my apartment, and get shipped to Iraq with only a backpack of my own things? I'm female (note the avatar!) and have 2 more years of college (art degree, photo concentration). Was thinking about enlisting after I graduate...unless I should do it before?

I suggests you call this two phones numbers. They will provide information and answers all your question truthfully. Theses are not military organization.
Gi rights Hotline
877-447-4487
Project Yano
760-634-3604

Try the AF for Photography, You get flight time in fighters to take publicity pics!
Everyone gets seperated and it's lonely, but you get used to it. Besides, since you're not home spending $$ on rent/food/utilities most folks bank over 5g's from a deployment! $$ in the bank!
As for postings, it's a crap shoot(mil neccessity). I know you're apprehensive about leaving home, but think of it this way. What other job will PAY you to live in Europe or the Far East? Most folks spend thousands of bucks to visit Paris, you can do it for $200 with accommodations(outdoor rec tour from Germany). Best advice I can give you, join the mil and travel!!!
Yes you have to store your stuff, but the mil allows more than a backpack in personal items and you'll have alot of mil gear too. Plus they're working on WiFi for installations and many have it in place..right next to the Starbucks(Hey, I ain't jokin!)
Don't enlist, Go to OTS. This translates to better treatment at home and deployed. Yes it's more responsibility, but by the time you graduate you should be ready to lead and the mil teaches you how anyway.
P.S If you do become an O-grade, listen to your NCO's They have more experience in thier little finger than "the chain" has in it's collective self!

Well, the choice is ultimately up to you. If you are injured while on duty, you will still get paid and the doctor's bill will be covered by military insurance. How many bases does the Army have and how many are near your home in Louisiana? That percentage is you chances of being stationed there. You cannot pick where you are stationed. Over time, yes you would be able to afford a home, or you could live in one on base if you are still in (which is probably suggested because if you get moves, then you have to sell the house, buy a new one, etc).
If you join now, you can leave your apartment as is if you continue to pay your rent. Might want to have someone dust it! When you figure out what you are doing, then maybe moving. As for the backpack, you really only need what the Army issues you plus a few personal things. Everything is just clutter you won't need.
Have you considered maybe going National Guard instead? Then you can stay where you live now, have a job, and go to drill once a month. It would allow you to be away from your family and have more say in where you live than active duty Army.

u dont have to worrie about geting injured being a photographer u wont get sent to iraq and u wont see combat u r a female if u care about doing something worthwhile join the marines if not i would go with the army if i were u i would wate finish school and come in as an officer

As a petty officer in the US Navy, let me commend you for even considering service, and again for asking some good questions. Hopefully you can find other people in the military to ask who you know and trust, rather than just a bunch of strangers (and while you certainly want to talk to the recruiters, remember that they are essentially sales people....my recruiter was dead honest in every regard, but that is not the story I get from other service members.)

Remember this: You don't join the military to get the benefits, to pay for school, to travel, or to learn a trade. You join the military because you believe service to your country is important, and because you believe in protecting and defending our way of life.
All the rest is gravy. If you look at it that way, then the mindless bureaucracy and all the many other difficulties you're likely to face take proper perspective.
On the other hand, if you're joining up for, say, just the money for college, it'll be hard to be anything but bitter if you get injured while in some conflict protecting people you don't know in some country you've never heard of doing some side job you 'didn't sign up for.'
To address a few of your questions, in no particular order:
1. Are you willing to kill and die in the service of your country? No two ways about that. You may not be going into a war-fighting position, and there's every chance you'll NEVER be asked use force against anything other than a stuck filing cabinet, or be suffer injury beyond a paper cut, the chance is there. You can't dismiss it, and if the possibility of having die for the good of the mission, or of having to kill another human being is something you can't fit into your psyche, then military service probably is not for you.
2. If you think the separation will be hard, it will be. We are lucky to live in an age of email and video conferencing, but if you've never been away from your support network for extended periods, or if you can't imagine missing long stretch of seeing your kids grow up, that part will be tough. On the other hand, especially if you're young, it's a GREAT way get get independence, maturity, get experiences and meet people you may never have the chance to any other way. I wish I had gone into the service when I was young and single....
3. You don't join the military for the money, however, you CAN come out pretty well, especially if you are young, and stay in to retirement. There's lots of ways to save money while you're in the service (and if you ARE deployed to some place like 'the sandbox,' you'll have very few expenses and some decent extra pay), and there are a good number of public and private programs to help you with stuff like buying a house or getting additional education.
4. Finish your degree if you are in a position to do that. You might have the option of going in to the service as an officer. You'll have more options in any case.
If not, the service is indeed to a good way to finish your degree for not much money.
5. Army? A smart girl like you? Navy, baby, Navy!