March 31, 2017, by Julian Hooks – Choosing a career in the military is not a walk in the park if you are planning to join. Several legit factors should be put into consideration and carefully evaluated before deciding if joining the Military is a good career path for you. Good news is that, within the military, there are several different career opportunities to be exploited. Eventually, you will either find yourself in the navy, the army, the air force, Marine Corps or the Coastguard. You have to carefully evaluate and check for the one that suits your skills set and interests.
Basically, the different departments have their own specific duties assigned to them. The U.S Army protects the country’s security and vital resources. The Army National Guard federal mission is to be ready to be called to duty as a reserve of the Army. The U.S Navy helps maintain freedom and defends the right to trade freely and travel. The U.S Air Force function is to defend the country by controlling and exploitation of space and air, and the U.S Coast Guard is basically to defend the inland waterways and the coastlines by enforcing fishing laws and customs. Military jobs are normally divided into enlisted personnel and officers.
Military Education
Different branches of the military have different criteria and requirements of joining. The educational requirement also varies depending on which military branch and job you are interested in. For you to join the military, the most basic and mandatory requirement for all branches is a GED or a high school diploma. Officers should, however, on the other hand, have at least a bachelor’s degree. These professional degrees come in handy and are useful for specialized positions such as military law and military medicine. It is therefore very important to obtain a college degree as it will give you an upper hand.
Military Job Market
When joining the military, choosing the job you want to do, and the branch you want to work in is very important. Every branch requires a particular skill set. The Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there are many opportunities for all types of military careers perfect for all branches of the service. However, it does not show any growth percentages of the jobs held currently or in recent years. They have, however, approximated the number of recruits to replace old retired ones needed each year to be 155,000. To stand out in the job market or be maintained, you must maintain a good work history, be physically fit all the time and avoid any criminal behaviors at all costs
Military Salaries
Military salaries just like other salaries are based on very many factors. These factors include a number of years served and the rank held. Additional pay can be added on top of the basic salary based on job assignments or qualifications. Those in service get extra benefits like housing allowance, free medical care at military hospitals and also get partly financial aid on the cost of college.
Final Verdict
The army is a very large and diverse organization that can be very challenging and interesting at the same time. Regarding career path, they give you an option to choose which one you want to pursue based on your skills. It offers very many opportunities and rewards which include educational opportunities, job and travel.
The downside is that it is a very demanding career and it requires one to be certain of joining as it requires self-motivation and flexibility. The work will demand sacrifices like separation from family most of the times. The job will also demand to put yourself in a dangerous situation since it’s the nature of this work.
To succeed in the military; hard work, persistence and being a team player is mandatory. The jobs are extremely demanding and will require you to work in a fast paced environment mostly. It will be worth it in the end since you will get skills that are unimaginable and once in a lifetime opportunities. The military career path is no doubt unique and rewarding.
Author Bio: Julian Hooks the brains behind the Advertising Commissions digital marketing agency. Helping businesses grow their presence on the web is one of his many passions. Check out his Ultimate Guide to Local SEO or the Shopify Review Guide for eCommerce.