Military service can be very dangerous. Depending upon your MOS, you might be directly involved in combat. Even if not in combat, there are many dangerous jobs in all branches of the military. It is not for the faint of heart.
“We had to crawl in the sand, be soldiers.” But airmen agree the Air Force probably has the easiest basic training. “I think it's Marine Corps, Army, Navy and then Air Force,” said Tech.
7 Pros and Cons Of Joining The Military, According To A Current Active Duty Member
- Free College.
- Guaranteed Paycheck, Free Rent and Utilities.
- Paid Vacation.
- Military Discount/ Free Flights.
- Free Health Care.
- Training.
- Travel.
- Free Health Care.
This is sometimes called "basic pay." Everyone on active duty receives base pay. The amount depends on your rank, and how many years you've been in the military. For example, the lowest ranking enlisted member—someone in the paygrade of E-1—with less than two years of service, makes a base pay of $1,681 per month.
The army is the best at fighting and controlling long-term ground warfare, just as the Navy is the best at fighting from the water and the Marine Corps is the best at quick-reaction to international conflicts. The US Navy is better! Yes I know each branch serves a purpose and has a specialty.
Members of the U.S. Army face combat hardships and risk life while on duty to serve and protect their country. Beyond its call to patriotism and self-sacrifice, the Army attracts career soldiers because tangible rewards, such as salary, benefits and retirement, make being a soldier a worthwhile profession.
Once you have decided to sign up, you have to make the decision about what branch to join, whether it be the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marines or the Coast Guard. If you are really gung-ho about serving your country and aren't afraid to get your hands dirty, then the Marines might be your best bet.
An important step is understanding the many tangible and intangible benefits of joining the military:
- A guaranteed paycheck and Cash Bonuses.
- Education Benefits.
- Advanced and Specialty Training.
- 30 days annual paid vacation.
- Travel.
- Option for full-time or part time service.
- Tax-free room, board and allowances.
Which Branch of the Military has the Best Benefits?
- ARMY. The Army is accountable for the defense of the United States on land.
- AIR FORCE. The Air Force oversees the protection of our country from the air.
- MARINE CORPS.
- COAST GUARD.
- NAVY.
Most first-term enlistments require a commitment to four years active and two years inactive (IRR). But the services also offer programs with two-, three- and six-year active duty or reserve enlistments.
You may be eligible for the following veterans' benefits:
- VA Healthcare.
- VA Disability Benefits.
- VA Education & Training Programs.
- VA Home Loan Guaranty Program.
- Veterans Insurance.
- Burial and Memorial Benefits.
- Veteran Service Officers (VSO)
- Veteran Centers.
Army Recruiting High School Dropouts without GED. The Army is now allowing its recruiters to sign up high school dropouts who do not have a GED for the first time in years. The program allows recruiters to enlist a high school dropout, according to S. Douglas Smith, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
What are the qualifications to join the Army?
- You must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.
- Be between the ages of 17-34.
- Have a high school diploma.
- Have no more than two dependents.
- Take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
- Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam.
Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
For officers and enlisted people who do not reside in the dormitories, the military pays a monetary allowance for food. Basic Allowance for Subsistence is an allowance, not pay. It is not taxable. Officers are paid less BAS than enlisted personnel.Please consult your recruiter for the exact pay that you're going to be getting at basic training, but let's go ahead and start with the basics. Starting in 2012 the lowest enlisted rank, which is an E1, is gonna have a base pay of $1,491 a month. Now you're gonna be paid bi-monthly.
The General Motors Military Discount Program provides eligible participants with the opportunity to purchase or lease new or unused Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles at a special price at a participating dealer. Vehicle eligibility may change over time, so check before you buy.
The earliest age at which individuals can enlist in any branch of the U.S. military is age 17, but at this age, they must have parental consent. However, the average age is higher given that some people enlist later. The maximum age for most branches is 35.
If you qualify, the Army will pay up to 33.33% of your principal balance each year for three years. You could receive up to $65,000 in loan assistance. Note that you can only use this money to pay off federal student loans, such as Direct, FFEL, and Perkins Loans. Private loans aren't eligible.
He said The main differences between the branches is all in how you want to live. If you want to live in a tent, join the Army. If you want to live on a boat, join the Navy. If you want to live in a hole, join the Marines.
In addition to taking courses off duty, each of the services has programs which allow some enlisted to remain on active duty and attend college full-time, receiving full pay and allowances. Enlisted members of the Army can attend OCS and be commissioned with only 90 college credits.
It's certainly possible; I did it, 28 years ago. (!) You don't “switch” so much as you just enlist in the AF when you separate from the the Army, literally on the same day. That being said, it's something you talk over with an Air Force recruiter well in advance of your ETS date, so you can make detailed plans.
The Montgomery GI Bill is designed to help you pay for your college education. Depending on how long you enlist with the Army and the job you choose, you can get over $50,000 to help pay for college. All you have to do is give $100 a month during your first year of service.
More offered. Day to day work: Army is much more of a field operations thought process. Air Force is less so as they have combat reach with aircraft. Just a different feel to things.
Top 10 Best Military Degrees
- Computer Engineering. B.S. Computer Engineering.
- Management. B.S. Management, Bachelor of Business Management, B.A. Management.
- Computer Science. B.S. Computer Science.
- Business Administration. Bachelor of Business Administration.
- Linguistics. B.A. Linguistics.
- Accounting/Finance.
- Mathematics.
- History.
Those in pursuit of a degree may be able to become part of an officer training program while they attend college, such as ROTC. There are limited opportunities for senior Enlisted members to become Officers or to serve as Warrant Officers, Limited Duty Officers, or in another capacity.
The Army Continuing Education System will also provide general education development (GED) testing at no cost to the soldier. The GED tests give adults who didn't finish high school the opportunity to earn a high school credential.
Weight Requirements
For instance, a recruit who is between 17 and 20 years, with a height of 60 inches, should not exceed 120lbs. for females and 139lbs for males. However, if you are in the military, your maximum weight limit is 116lbs for females and 132lbs for males.GED Requirements for Joining the Army
Joining the US Army is possible even if you don't have a high school or college diploma. Army recruits with GED certificates must also perform in the mandatory Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test in order to enlist.If you do not have a GED or a HS diploma, the Guard can help. The Army National Guard's GED Plus Program provides free training and testing services that will enable you to successfully obtain your GED. The Army National Guard will pay you to get your GED when you enlist.
You have to go to basic training, and you do not necessarily have to go to war. Everyone in the military has to be ready to go to war if you are called.
U.S. Army. In addition to being a United States citizen or permanent resident alien, you must have a high school diploma or GED to join the Army as an enlisted member. The minimum high school GPA allowed is 2.5. You must score no lower than a 920 on your SAT and at least 19 on your ACT.
Across the United States Armed Forces, the maximum age for enlistment for someone who has never served in the military before depends on the branch. For the Army, the maximum age is 35. For the Navy, age waivers start at 34-years-old. For the Air Force, the maximum age allowed to join is 39-years-old.
Meet minimum Air Force Officer Qualification Test (AFOQT) scores and grade point Average (GPA). The AFOQT minimum of 10 or higher on the Quantitative score and 15 or higher on the Verbal score is mandatory for all applicants. Minimum GPA for rated and non-rated applicants is 2.50.
