Fancy a Career in the Military?
Soldiers face incredible challenges and often lay their lives on the line to protect our country and its citizens. If you can endure high amounts of stress and flourish in fast-paced, strict environments, a career in the military might be a great option.
Enlistment is Easy
Factors considered in the enlistment are uncharacteristically simple and easy to understand. If you are interested in making the army your next career path, here’s what you need to qualify:
– Be between 17 and 40 years of age.
– Possess a high school diploma.
– Be an American Green Card holder that’s fluent in English.
– Complete the physical\medical and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
However, even if you do not fulfill some of these requirements get in touch with a recruiter. The military WILL make an exception if you prove to be an exceptional candidate.
Education
All branches of the Armed Forces require their members to be high school graduates or have equivalent credentials. Officers usually need a bachelor’s degree. Some officers entering the service may need to have education beyond a bachelor’s degree. For example, officers entering as military lawyers need a law degree.
Those who want to become an officer have several options to meet the education requirements, including the aforementioned federal service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine), the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) programs, Officer Candidate School (OCS), and other programs.
Important Qualities
Leadership skills: Members of the Armed Forces work together to achieve their missions. Those who want to advance ranks need to be able lead others in the completion of assigned duties or missions.
Mental preparedness: Members of the Armed Forces must be mentally fit and able to handle stressful situations that can occur during military operations.
Physical fitness: Members of the Armed Forces must be physically fit to participate in, or support, combat missions that may be difficult or dangerous.
Readiness: Members of the Armed Forces must be ready and able to report for military assignments on short notice.
Benefits
A career in the military is set apart from others by its excellent benefits. The benefits it offers cover far beyond just the medical and dental coverage.
According to Military.com, benefits are (but not limited to):
– Consistent pay.
– Education and career benefits during and after the service.
– Fully covered medical insurance.
– The option of on and off-base housing with special benefits and allowances for both.
– 30 days paid vacation time each year.
There are also various military-supported organizations such as Veterans Administration, the army makes sure you and your loved ones are well taken care of at all times.
Options for Swift Career Change
Once in, you will be mentored by a skilled army official who is at the top of their field. This ensures your options for career change later on are optimal. If your initial choice doesn’t turn out to be a good match, you can take your new skills elsewhere, within or outside the army.
Many employers in the private sector will employ ex-military personnel gladly because their time in the army showcases their qualities of leadership and loyalty, as well as their superb ability to thrive in high-pressure occurrences.
According to Feds Hire Vets, as a former soldier, you might be given some advantage over others when applying for a federal job due to your background.
How Do I Sign Up?
There Are two ways you can begin the process – you can either fill out a form online or talk to a recruiter at the recruitment office.
The recruiters all scout for different branches, so make sure you have the right recruiter.Alternatively, you can talk to different recruiters for numerous branches before you make your choice.
Basic training and graduation is your first step in the enlisting process. After that, you will most likely be sent to further specialization by your chosen branch.
If the amount of time you would commit to the army by enlisting is what’s holding you back, you can join the National Guard or the Reserves. Take this time as a chance to decide whether or not to commit to this career path full-time.
Conclusion
It is important to stress that a job with the military is not like any other job. The repercussions of it can be immense on your family, your body, and your mind. A military job comes with all kinds of dangers and challenges and may not be fit for everyone. We suggest that you only choose to go ahead with this job if you’re actually certain that you’re able enough to overcome the many hurdles that come associated with the job description. We wish you the very best, anyway!
[1] “Military Benefits at a Glance,” Military.com.
[2] “Military Careers,” CollegeGrad.
[3] “Military Jobs,” Military.com.
[4] “Veteren’s Prefernce,” FedsHireVets.