Have you been asking yourself these questions? Well, there are some things you need to consider before visiting your nearest recruiting office. Joining the military is a serious and binding commitment. It will take you and make you into a stronger, more confident person.
Just like any career, there are pros and cons. Depending on what you're interested in, you might find that the military is right for you. But to help you decide, take a look at what the military has to offer. Find out the drawbacks and what they're looking for in a soldier.
Military Pros
There are the standard pros for joining the military: See the world, serve your country, save lives. Then there are the pros that get less air time. An opportunity to travel around the world while serving your country and saving lives are all great pros. But they are not always enough to make an informed decision. So here are some other pros to joining the military:
GI Bill. The GI Bill gives active duty servicemembers and veterans tax-free money to use for education. This includes books, tuition, fees and living expenses. The GI Bill covers these things while you are getting your degree, certification or attending a trade school. No matter what kind of education you want to get, using the GI Bill is a great way to get your education paid for
Benefits. Just like a standard employer, the U.S. government pays its soldiers. You will receive health care and other perks, like reduced rate life insurance. As a solider you can also fly pretty much for free. You can get huge discounts at many hotels and resorts around the world. Now that's a perk not many can brag about.
Free Food and Lodging. And you can have this for as long as you want it. This means the money you make is yours to do whatever you want with. You can send it home to family, save it, spend it, or give it away. Having your basic needs taken care of makes living a lot easier.
Respect. As a U.S. soldier, you'll be treated differently. Sure, some people will hate you for their own reasons. But more likely than not, on your own soil, you'll have the respect of millions. And you'll be one of the few who is lucky enough to see the hope and respect shining on the faces of those you save overseas.
Military Cons
There are always two sides to every coin. So, before deciding to enlist, you need to be okay with the flip side of joining the military. Obvious cons are being away from family and friends for long periods of time. There is also the risk of losing your life. But there are some other cons you need to know about:
Discharging. If you join the military and then decide it's not for you, you're stuck. In most cases, an injury won't get you medically discharged unless it's life threatening. So you need to realize that when you sign those papers, you're in for good for the time you agreed to.
Your life is not your own. As a U.S. soldier, your life is no longer your own to direct. You eat when they say eat, you sleep when they say sleep. When they tell you to jump, you say, "how high?" You will answer to a superior officer. You may even have others who answer to you. You will go where they tell you and follow the orders given you - even if that puts you in a war zone.
Extreme responsibility. You will have a lot on your shoulders as a soldier. If you have men under your charge, you're responsible for their well-being. You have to make decisions that are the best for everyone. And you'll have to do it under pressure. You also have to be willing to take a life to save a life. This is a lot to handle. And frankly, some people can't handle it. And that's okay.
Basic Military Requirements
They aren't just looking for a few good men. They're looking for men and women who are willing to serve their country. Those who are willing to live the soldier lifestyle, take orders, do exceptional things. They want soldiers who save lives, give respect and command respect. Soldiers who protect the way of American life.
There are many requirements that each branch of the military has set for those they will accept into service. However, there are some basic military requirements for joining the military. For more specific requirements, you'll need to talk to a recruiter for the branch of the military you are interested in.
There are other requirements that each branch has set. You will need to check with a recruitment officer in order to determine if you are fit to serve for that branch. Remember that falsifying, lying or providing incorrect information can result in criminal charges.
There's a lot to consider when you look into joining the military. Make sure you are fully informed about what the acceptance requirements are, what will be expected of you, and what you can expect in return. This will help you make an informed decision. This is a serious step in your life. You need to be certain that this is the role you want to take.
