Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Should I Join the Army? Or Navy or Coast Guard For That Matter?

By Eric L. Miller


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.

There are many benefits to joining the this branch of the military. You are paid twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th based on your pay grade. It is a salary-based paying position. As you gain knowledge and perform well, you can be promoted. Your time is service is also factored into any promotions you may receive. You are paid 2.5 days of paid vacation per month for a total of 30 days per year (most companies won't offer that much time off until you've been around for 10 years or so).The US Coast Guard offers all specialties to both men and women, including combat roles. Your career path is based on aptitude, physical abilities, security clearance, motivation and determination.If you are an active member of the coast guard, you will receive complete medical and dental care at no cost, and you are covered for $400,000 in term life insurance at a minimal cost. You will also receive tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing, if government housing isn't available in the area you are stationed. You will also get Basic Allowance for Subsistence if government dining facilities are not available, and a uniform allowance.

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.

Determining Your Future With ASVAB Testing,Just because you join the Army does not mean that you will be on the front lines. The Army has many needs and offers many job opportunities for recruits. To find your career path, you must pass a battery of tests known as the ASVAB, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.The tests assess your abilities in the following areas:Word knowledge,Paragraph comprehension,Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension,Arithmetic Reasoning,Mathematical Knowledge,Numerical Operations,General Science,Coding Speed,Auto and Shop Information,Mechanical Comprehension.Electronics Information.Your score on the ABVAS determines your fitness for the military, as well as your suitability for particular careers. Some jobs require a higher package of verbal skills,while others require math or engineering abilities. If you are aiming for particular career path, you should review the Army jobs list and then prepare to improve your scores in certain areas much as you would for a college entrance exam.

This is where the second function of the Aviation Training Center comes in. It's their job to develop, refine, institute, and train new tactics and procedures as well as making sure you're maintaining the high flying standards that the Guard demands.When you become a Coast Guard pilot your first stop will be at the ATC and it's someplace you'll frequent throughout your aviation career in the Coast Guard.Serving the country is always an attractive option for the youth. The patriots are always amazed to join the armed forces to serve the nation and humanity by fighting against the opponents and the enemies of humanity. The armed forces are the best career option for the people with courage and enthusiasm.

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.

But, I have friends whose relatives did serve in different wars and I know how they reacted. I have a girlfriend whose husband has served several tours in Afghanistan. I know she worries and prays for his safe return and she and her daughter miss him terribly.I have friends who lost their son in law and I remember standing on the street as his hearse went by, watching the salutes and honor and feeling so sad for those who had to say goodbye to this young man. It tore me apart and all I could do was join the procession and salute as his coffin me by.I know a few men who served in Vietnam and that is all I know because they would never discuss any details, ever. I grew up in the age when there were protests about our involvement there, and many young people even committed suicide to either avoid being drafted or to make a statement against that war.I only have an arm chair warrior's view of World War I or WWII or any other battle. I read the history books; I watch the news and specials about Pearl Harbor, about Hitler, about Korea and the many other combats. What I am trying to say is that all of my experience, opinions and feelings are second-hand.

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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