DECEMBER 16, 2022 – If you’re an army fan, you grew up watching war movies and dreaming of the day when you could don a uniform, grab your M16, and head off to fight against an evil dictator. Not everyone can join the military, and not every soldier has what it takes to survive combat.
But if joining the armed forces interests you or if it’s just something on your list of things to do before you die, there are a few steps you should take before committing yourself to this career path. Here are some things I wish someone had told me when I was young:
Find Out if You Qualify
Before becoming a military member, you’ll need to determine if you qualify. To do so, you’ll need to look at your age and citizenship, education level/degree/type of degree, whether or not you’re physically fit enough for active duty service, and any past health issues that might impact your ability to join.
If you’re over 18 but under 30 years old, there’s a good chance this won’t be an issue. However, suppose there are any questions about these factors when it comes time for enlistment or commissioning into active military service. In that case, they can be addressed by an examination board before entering into training.
The U.S. military has 6 branches, and the process of qualifying and being a part of any of them is almost the same. Combining all 6 branches, the country has around 1,390,000 active military personnel. It ranks third, after China and India, in active military numbers. If you want to be a part of such a competitive space, you must be sure that you can make it to the forces.
Educate Yourself
A career in the military is not for everyone, but it can be an excellent choice for those interested in vocational training and education. The military has a long history of helping people advance their careers through rigorous training programs and access to leadership positions.
As with any other profession, you must educate yourself about your options before deciding. This section will explore what it means to join the armed forces as a general officer or enlisted soldier, how you become an officer yourself, and how each branch differs in rank structure, job opportunities, and equipment used.
Get the Right Gear
There are a few things to remember when getting the right gear. First, you need to know what kind of gear is required for your position. For example, body armor and weaponry are essential if you’re going into an infantry role. But if you’re joining as an air traffic controller, you’ll need a set of binoculars and maps instead.
However, there are some gears that you will need regardless of the branch you join. For instance, dog tags are something that everyone will need. Dog tags work as identification tags and have some information about you engraved on them. They can come in handy when you fall on a battlefield or go unconscious at some time.
But for dog tags to be effective in helping others find your information, you must know what to put on military dog tags. Some of the information you should be adding include the following:
- Name
- Blood group
- Social Security Number (SSN)
- Military Branch
- Medical information about you, etc.
Once you have all the gear setup, figure out if any specific equipment can be used in your position to make life easier or help boost overall performance. If so, try tracking down some options and comparing prices before making any purchases. This way, you can get precisely what’s needed at the best price possible. Finally, once all this information has been gathered, begin researching ways to obtain it without spending too much time or money on something else.
You must also protect your gear and prevent it from falling into the wrong hands. Someone well-educated and trained, like the police, also can’t keep themselves from using the gear if they get it. Yes, that’s right. According to an article on The Conversation website, police with military gear kill civilians more often compared to those who don’t have access to military gear. Hence, it’s best to secure the gear.
Find Out Where Jobs Are Available
You can find out where jobs are available by reading the military service’s websites, which list all current job openings. You can also search for open positions on sites like Monster.com and Indeed.com, and you may be able to find specific information about what type of education or experience is needed for a particular job.
In addition to the general requirements for employment with a given branch of service, which include U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status, meeting age requirements (18+), passing a physical exam and security clearance, your ability to qualify depends on several factors:
- The branch of service you want to work in: each branch has different minimum requirements
- Job category: some jobs require more training than others
- Location: some areas have more opportunities than others
There are also civilian jobs available in the military. People who have already served in the military, military spouses, and military kids can apply for these jobs. You can apply for a civilian job in the military from the branch’s official website.
Get in Shape
In order to be prepared for the physical demands of military life, you should take care to get in shape before enlisting. There are many ways you can do this:
- Try going for a run or jog daily. If you live in an urban area with many stairs, try running up and down them as often as possible.
- Take advantage of your local gym and work out there regularly. If you don’t have access to a gym, work out at home using free weights or exercise machines that are safe for beginners, such as an elliptical trainer. You can also try swimming or walking outdoors if it’s warm enough outside your home.
- Make sure your diet is balanced by eating plenty of fruits and vegetables while cutting back on junk food like chips and soda pop since they’re full of high-calorie carbohydrates, which will make it hard for anyone trying their hardest just to keep up with basic training requirements let alone succeed during advanced schooling after graduation day arrives.
Conclusion
We’re here to help you with your military career planning, but it’s important to remember that the most valuable resources at your disposal are your own initiative and drive.
You can learn as much as possible about the process in advance, but ultimately you need to be prepared for anything, including setbacks along the way or taking longer than expected. That being said, there are plenty of reasons why joining a branch of service might be right for you. If it sounds like something worth exploring, we hope this article has helped guide you on where to begin.