MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Preparing for a Career in the Military

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.

Comments

Filed Under: Enlist

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Electromagnetic Warfare Jams the Enemy

AUGUST 14, 2025 — In modern warfare, battles are not only fought with rifles, tanks and artillery. Some of the most decisive victories are won across the electromagnetic spectrum. At Northern Strike, the National Guard’s premier readiness exercise held this month at Michigan’s National All-Domain Warfighting Center, Soldiers trained in a high-intensity environment that pushed […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

What You Need to Know About Tribal Lending

AUGUST 11, 2025 – Tribal lending is a type of loan offered by lenders that are owned and operated by Native American tribes. These lenders work under tribal law, not state law, which gives them more freedom in how they run their business.  According to a 2024 report released by the U.S. Department of Treasury, […]

Recent Posts

  • Electromagnetic Warfare Jams the Enemy
  • Navy Week Sets Sail for Columbus, Ohio
  • X-37B Set for Eighth Mission
  • Coast Guard Prepares for Tropical Storm Erin
  • Chicago Bears Honor Combat Veteran
MAINMENU



Powered by pixfuture


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.