How to Choose a Military Service
Consider all different branches and their benefits., Consider the different experiences you'll get in each branch., Think about your future., Consider your spouse., Join as an officer if you can., Take the Oath of Enlistment., Start your career.
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Consider all different branches and their benefits.
Not all are the same, but there are some benefits in common between all branches.
To decide whether the military path is right for you, consider some of the benefits:
Family life.
It may surprise you, but the Military allows for a balance between work and personal life.
In fact, service members enjoy many opportunities to relax with their friends and family, including 30 days of paid vacation a year.
Housing.
Many factors come into play when determining housing for a military service member.
Some of these include where a service member is stationed, whether they’re an active-duty member, Guardsmen or reservist and if they have a spouse or kids.
Plus, qualified service members can live off base in civilian neighborhoods using an allowance they receive for housing.
Housing on base is also included as a part of your compensation package.
If you are married and on-base housing is not available, or you would like to live off base, a tax-free monthly housing allowance will be provided.
The military also pays all travel and expenses for required moves.
Other Benefits.
Beyond their salary, service members enjoy an exceptional quality of life while serving.
Benefits include:
Educational benefits
- GI Bill, tuition assistance, service member opportunity colleges, education on duty, etc.
Advanced technical and specialty training cash bonuses Tax-free housing and food allowances, or free room and board 30 days of vacation per year Space A travel
- Free flights between bases Substantial discounts and deals throughout the private sector World travel Health and dental care for you and your family Special deals on home loans Pension Being part of a larger family with a proud history
- the military tradition The pride and honor of serving your country -
Step 2: Consider the different experiences you'll get in each branch.
There are differences between the branches.
Talk to representatives from all of them to understand which would suit you best, and consider some of the following distinctions:
Army and Marine Core
- These services tend to be very "hurrah and gung ho"... but the majority do their time, and come out without any applicable skills (they have to go to school after).
Plus, some feel they are treated like a child that must have his hand held.
If you want to be a warrior only, this is the place for you.
Air Force and Navy
- These are very technical branches.
They teach you skills you can use immediately after your time is served.
The Air Force especially, gives you 50%-75% of an Associates Degree just for the training you receive (you must finish it on your own....but it's free).
Plus, you are treated like an adult; they won't constantly hold your hand.
It's up to you to stand tall among your peers.
They merely offer guidance.
The Air Force has more Special Forces Teams than the Army, if you still want to go full "hurrah" and maintain a very high standard of living. (PJ,Combat Control, SERE, TACTICAL AIR PATROL, EOD).But be warned, these fields have a high wash-out rate.... it's not easy.
The Air Force is the most family friendly of all branches.
They even allow you to live on base with your family while you are in Technical School (AIT for Army). , Most people join the Military for one of four reasons:
Because they have limited options for work and want something new, because of family tradition, to pay for education and get a boost in their careers, or to prove something to themselves or others.
Whatever the reason, it often comes down to a future for yourself and future family.
So if you do go in... don't jump into the first "bullets, blood and guts" job you find.
It may be the macho thing to do, but you can still be all that and choose a job that has marketability in the civilian sector (ie. a technical job). , For those with spouses, they can respect the fact that you are doing this to secure your future together.
Plus, military spouses get free education and preferential job placement (at least in the Air Force).
More than likely, they could easily get a job working at the hospital or at some other function on base serving our service members , Joining as an officer is different as opposed to joining as an enlisted personnel.
For one, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required, but your degree must also match up to current military job requirements.
For example, most people get a business or accounting degree in college.
Those particular degrees are not highly sought after in the military.
A better choice would be an engineering degree, aeronautics or something similar.
After you pass a background check (must be clean, no arrests/drug abuse etc) and your physical, you will have to go through officer training school.
Officer training school is different for all services, but the average cutoff age is
29.
Another option would be for you to sign up for college under the ROTC program. , Before you sign up and join, there are a few things you will have to go through first.
1.
Drug test and tattoo check.
Every service has a different standard for tattoos, but all have the same drug policy.
No drugs, if you test positive its over.
No chance of joining.
2.
Physical (MEPS).
You will be taken through the Military Entrance Processing center, where they will evaluate your current and past physical and mental condition.
If you have any history of depression, self-harm, Suicidal tendencies or have had major surgeries, you will be disqualified on the spot.
3.
ASVAB.
You will be required to take a test so they can accurately gauge what skill-set you fit best into.
The higher you score, the more jobs you are qualified for.
4.
Basic training.
Just because you are in basic training, doesn't mean you are totally in yet.
They will teach you military standards and practices specific to your branch.
You will also be required to meet the physical Fitness standards required.
If you can't make it, you will be sent home.
Basic training is meant to shock you so they can mold you into the perfect soldier, sailor, marine or airman.
Once you move on from basic, everything is much different and not at all like basic training. , You will be shipped to the location of your first tech (or AIT) school where you will be trained on the basics of your new job.
All training has different time constraints and locations.
After you graduate that, you will be shipped to your first duty station, where you will continue to serve and advance in rank during your career. -
Step 3: Think about your future.
-
Step 4: Consider your spouse.
-
Step 5: Join as an officer if you can.
-
Step 6: Take the Oath of Enlistment.
-
Step 7: Start your career.
Detailed Guide
Not all are the same, but there are some benefits in common between all branches.
To decide whether the military path is right for you, consider some of the benefits:
Family life.
It may surprise you, but the Military allows for a balance between work and personal life.
In fact, service members enjoy many opportunities to relax with their friends and family, including 30 days of paid vacation a year.
Housing.
Many factors come into play when determining housing for a military service member.
Some of these include where a service member is stationed, whether they’re an active-duty member, Guardsmen or reservist and if they have a spouse or kids.
Plus, qualified service members can live off base in civilian neighborhoods using an allowance they receive for housing.
Housing on base is also included as a part of your compensation package.
If you are married and on-base housing is not available, or you would like to live off base, a tax-free monthly housing allowance will be provided.
The military also pays all travel and expenses for required moves.
Other Benefits.
Beyond their salary, service members enjoy an exceptional quality of life while serving.
Benefits include:
Educational benefits
- GI Bill, tuition assistance, service member opportunity colleges, education on duty, etc.
Advanced technical and specialty training cash bonuses Tax-free housing and food allowances, or free room and board 30 days of vacation per year Space A travel
- Free flights between bases Substantial discounts and deals throughout the private sector World travel Health and dental care for you and your family Special deals on home loans Pension Being part of a larger family with a proud history
- the military tradition The pride and honor of serving your country
There are differences between the branches.
Talk to representatives from all of them to understand which would suit you best, and consider some of the following distinctions:
Army and Marine Core
- These services tend to be very "hurrah and gung ho"... but the majority do their time, and come out without any applicable skills (they have to go to school after).
Plus, some feel they are treated like a child that must have his hand held.
If you want to be a warrior only, this is the place for you.
Air Force and Navy
- These are very technical branches.
They teach you skills you can use immediately after your time is served.
The Air Force especially, gives you 50%-75% of an Associates Degree just for the training you receive (you must finish it on your own....but it's free).
Plus, you are treated like an adult; they won't constantly hold your hand.
It's up to you to stand tall among your peers.
They merely offer guidance.
The Air Force has more Special Forces Teams than the Army, if you still want to go full "hurrah" and maintain a very high standard of living. (PJ,Combat Control, SERE, TACTICAL AIR PATROL, EOD).But be warned, these fields have a high wash-out rate.... it's not easy.
The Air Force is the most family friendly of all branches.
They even allow you to live on base with your family while you are in Technical School (AIT for Army). , Most people join the Military for one of four reasons:
Because they have limited options for work and want something new, because of family tradition, to pay for education and get a boost in their careers, or to prove something to themselves or others.
Whatever the reason, it often comes down to a future for yourself and future family.
So if you do go in... don't jump into the first "bullets, blood and guts" job you find.
It may be the macho thing to do, but you can still be all that and choose a job that has marketability in the civilian sector (ie. a technical job). , For those with spouses, they can respect the fact that you are doing this to secure your future together.
Plus, military spouses get free education and preferential job placement (at least in the Air Force).
More than likely, they could easily get a job working at the hospital or at some other function on base serving our service members , Joining as an officer is different as opposed to joining as an enlisted personnel.
For one, a minimum of a Bachelor's degree is required, but your degree must also match up to current military job requirements.
For example, most people get a business or accounting degree in college.
Those particular degrees are not highly sought after in the military.
A better choice would be an engineering degree, aeronautics or something similar.
After you pass a background check (must be clean, no arrests/drug abuse etc) and your physical, you will have to go through officer training school.
Officer training school is different for all services, but the average cutoff age is
29.
Another option would be for you to sign up for college under the ROTC program. , Before you sign up and join, there are a few things you will have to go through first.
1.
Drug test and tattoo check.
Every service has a different standard for tattoos, but all have the same drug policy.
No drugs, if you test positive its over.
No chance of joining.
2.
Physical (MEPS).
You will be taken through the Military Entrance Processing center, where they will evaluate your current and past physical and mental condition.
If you have any history of depression, self-harm, Suicidal tendencies or have had major surgeries, you will be disqualified on the spot.
3.
ASVAB.
You will be required to take a test so they can accurately gauge what skill-set you fit best into.
The higher you score, the more jobs you are qualified for.
4.
Basic training.
Just because you are in basic training, doesn't mean you are totally in yet.
They will teach you military standards and practices specific to your branch.
You will also be required to meet the physical Fitness standards required.
If you can't make it, you will be sent home.
Basic training is meant to shock you so they can mold you into the perfect soldier, sailor, marine or airman.
Once you move on from basic, everything is much different and not at all like basic training. , You will be shipped to the location of your first tech (or AIT) school where you will be trained on the basics of your new job.
All training has different time constraints and locations.
After you graduate that, you will be shipped to your first duty station, where you will continue to serve and advance in rank during your career.
About the Author
Teresa Brown
A passionate writer with expertise in hobbies topics. Loves sharing practical knowledge.
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