Are you debating a career with the United States Armed Services? Do you have dreams of enlisting in the military to serve your country, travel the world, get money for college, or simply live a life of patriotic adventure? In this article I will give you some tips and advice regarding joining the US Armed Services.I often hear this comment from potential military recruits "I think I want to join the Army" (or Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard). Joining the military was one of the best decisions in my adult life and may very well be for you, however this is not a decision that you want to take lightly.While the military certainly offers a great deal of benefits, it also requires a serious commitment with rigorous work and personal sacrifices. Therefor, if this is something you are interested in doing, be sure to properly weigh your options prior to enlistment.
A typical war involved enemy soldiers meeting on the battlefield. The act of war was defined by the soldiers on the ground engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Surrenders and victories were often determined by the ability of one side to fight harder than the other.That is not the case today. Very few battles are still fought in a hand-to-hand combat manner. Few battles are even fought on the actual battlefield. In today's world where technology dominates, many battles are fought in the boardroom, or with weapons fired from a long distance away.
Bootcamp, while quite exciting is no laughing matter. You will endure weeks of intense physical, mental, and academic training. You will be pushed to your limits and perhaps find yourself wanting to quit many times along the way. This is something that you must keep in mind, as only a true desire to succeed will help you survive. After bootcamp you will go through your specialty training school which will prepare you for your specific job within your branch of service. This can take anywhere from a few short months to over a year. While this is quite rigorous too, many find specialty training school slightly easier than bootcamp.
Once the training is complete, your true service begins. You can be stationed anywhere in the world, asked to do any number of tasks related to the work you trained for. You may find yourself in combat, or sitting behind a desk. You may find yourself removed from family and friends for months at a time. I'm not trying to discourage you from joining, but instead want to make sure this is something you've fully thought about before joining.
Has the patriotism of our military in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places in the world made you interested in joining up? What does it take to be "Army Strong"and "Aim High" to "Fly-Fight-Win?" Ready to be part of "A Global Force For Good," or belong to "The Few, The Proud, The Marines"? Each branch of the service has its own specific requirements for becoming part of the enlisted corps or becoming an officer.
Regardless of which branch of the service has captured your heart, there are some military entrance conditions that are standard for entering any branch.Get That Degree.Our military is a group of committed, educated people ready to serve our country. When you sign up, you should at least have a high school diploma in hand. You might be able to be accepted with a GED, but your career opportunities and advancement will be limited.
If you set your sights on becoming an officer, you need a bachelor's degree. This might be in progress when you join up, but you must have your degree before you can be promoted to an O-3 or higher in any branch. The military is not an alternative to finishing your education.
What all you need to be able to join the military services is courage and determination. There is a vast scope for promotion and salaries hike in the services and numerous other benefits are given by the authorities to the defense personnel. Today, the U.S. military is the second largest after the China and has its troops deployed all around the globe. More recently in early 2007, the Secretary of Defense has proposed to the President to increase the staff strength of military by 92,000 troops over a span of five years. The U.S. military budget is the highest of any country in the world. The disciplined and multifaceted work environment in the forces improves and refines the lifestyle of its personnel and their families.
You do not need perfect vision to join the service, however. As long as you have a vision problem that can be corrected with glasses or contacts or laser eye surgery, you will be able to serve in the military and perhaps even fly a plane. If you are colorblind, there are some jobs or positions you might not qualify for.The Military Needs Youth.When General MacArthur said "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away," he was not talking about military entrance requirements. There is no branch of the service which currently accepts recruits over the age of 42. If you hope to enter a competitive military academy such as West Point, the Air Force Academy, or the Naval Academy to become an officer, you must be age 17 to 22.
The military entrance requirements vary somewhat depending whether you want to be on active duty, in the reserve, or in the guard.Age Limits For The Army: Active Duty 17-42. Reserve 17-40. Guard 17-35.Age Limits For The Air Force: Active Duty 17-27. Reserve 17-34. Guard 17-40.Age Limits For The Navy: Active Duty 17-34. Reserve 18-39.Age Limits For The Marine Corp: Active Duty 17-29. Reserve 17-29,Age Limits For The Coast Guard: Active Duty 17-27. Reserve 17-39.Citizenship Requirements Vary.The military defends our country, but you do not have to be a US citizen to join. As long as you are a permanent resident alien with a green card, you can join up. If you want to become a US citizen, your naturalization process will be fast-tracked, so you can attain that goal within a year.If you are interested in joining the military, you should examine all branches to see which one is the best fit for you. A recruiter for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard can tell you the specific requirements for joining and, if accepted, enjoying a fulfilling career opportunity where what you do matters to many people beyond yourself.
A typical war involved enemy soldiers meeting on the battlefield. The act of war was defined by the soldiers on the ground engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Surrenders and victories were often determined by the ability of one side to fight harder than the other.That is not the case today. Very few battles are still fought in a hand-to-hand combat manner. Few battles are even fought on the actual battlefield. In today's world where technology dominates, many battles are fought in the boardroom, or with weapons fired from a long distance away.
Bootcamp, while quite exciting is no laughing matter. You will endure weeks of intense physical, mental, and academic training. You will be pushed to your limits and perhaps find yourself wanting to quit many times along the way. This is something that you must keep in mind, as only a true desire to succeed will help you survive. After bootcamp you will go through your specialty training school which will prepare you for your specific job within your branch of service. This can take anywhere from a few short months to over a year. While this is quite rigorous too, many find specialty training school slightly easier than bootcamp.
Once the training is complete, your true service begins. You can be stationed anywhere in the world, asked to do any number of tasks related to the work you trained for. You may find yourself in combat, or sitting behind a desk. You may find yourself removed from family and friends for months at a time. I'm not trying to discourage you from joining, but instead want to make sure this is something you've fully thought about before joining.
Has the patriotism of our military in Afghanistan, Iraq, and other places in the world made you interested in joining up? What does it take to be "Army Strong"and "Aim High" to "Fly-Fight-Win?" Ready to be part of "A Global Force For Good," or belong to "The Few, The Proud, The Marines"? Each branch of the service has its own specific requirements for becoming part of the enlisted corps or becoming an officer.
Regardless of which branch of the service has captured your heart, there are some military entrance conditions that are standard for entering any branch.Get That Degree.Our military is a group of committed, educated people ready to serve our country. When you sign up, you should at least have a high school diploma in hand. You might be able to be accepted with a GED, but your career opportunities and advancement will be limited.
If you set your sights on becoming an officer, you need a bachelor's degree. This might be in progress when you join up, but you must have your degree before you can be promoted to an O-3 or higher in any branch. The military is not an alternative to finishing your education.
What all you need to be able to join the military services is courage and determination. There is a vast scope for promotion and salaries hike in the services and numerous other benefits are given by the authorities to the defense personnel. Today, the U.S. military is the second largest after the China and has its troops deployed all around the globe. More recently in early 2007, the Secretary of Defense has proposed to the President to increase the staff strength of military by 92,000 troops over a span of five years. The U.S. military budget is the highest of any country in the world. The disciplined and multifaceted work environment in the forces improves and refines the lifestyle of its personnel and their families.
You do not need perfect vision to join the service, however. As long as you have a vision problem that can be corrected with glasses or contacts or laser eye surgery, you will be able to serve in the military and perhaps even fly a plane. If you are colorblind, there are some jobs or positions you might not qualify for.The Military Needs Youth.When General MacArthur said "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away," he was not talking about military entrance requirements. There is no branch of the service which currently accepts recruits over the age of 42. If you hope to enter a competitive military academy such as West Point, the Air Force Academy, or the Naval Academy to become an officer, you must be age 17 to 22.
The military entrance requirements vary somewhat depending whether you want to be on active duty, in the reserve, or in the guard.Age Limits For The Army: Active Duty 17-42. Reserve 17-40. Guard 17-35.Age Limits For The Air Force: Active Duty 17-27. Reserve 17-34. Guard 17-40.Age Limits For The Navy: Active Duty 17-34. Reserve 18-39.Age Limits For The Marine Corp: Active Duty 17-29. Reserve 17-29,Age Limits For The Coast Guard: Active Duty 17-27. Reserve 17-39.Citizenship Requirements Vary.The military defends our country, but you do not have to be a US citizen to join. As long as you are a permanent resident alien with a green card, you can join up. If you want to become a US citizen, your naturalization process will be fast-tracked, so you can attain that goal within a year.If you are interested in joining the military, you should examine all branches to see which one is the best fit for you. A recruiter for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard can tell you the specific requirements for joining and, if accepted, enjoying a fulfilling career opportunity where what you do matters to many people beyond yourself.
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