The U.S. Army offers great pay and benefits. If you compare it to other jobs, the U.S. Army has one of the most comprehensive benefits packages available. As a soldier in the U.S. Army you will have medical care, dental legal aid, housing allowances, vacation, life insurance along with excellent pay.
The Charts below show what you will get as a soldier in the U.S. Army or Army Reserve.
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Active Duty Enlistment Benefits
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| Job Choices | 200 jobs to choose from |
| Medical / Dental Benefits | Medical and dental benefits |
| Job training opportunities | Specialized job training (AIT) |
| Work Schedule | Serve 5 days a week |
| Vacation & Leave | 30 days military leave per year (paid vacation) |
| Social & Recreational Programs | Unlimited access to all military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities or programs |
| Education Benefits | Educational benefits |
| Commissary Privileges | Unlimited post exchange and commissary privileges |
| Physical Requirements | Physical training 3-4 times a week |
| Life Insurance | The Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance, better known as SGLI, is group term life insurance currently available to all members of the U.S. Army. SGLI is a group life insurance policy purchased by the VA from a commercial life insurance company, and is partially subsidized by the federal government. |
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Reserve Duty Enlistment Benefits
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| Job Choices | 200 jobs to choose from |
| Job training opportunities | Specialized job training (AIT) |
| Social & Recreational Programs | Unlimited access to all military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities or programs |
| Education Benefits | Educational benefits |
| Commissary Privileges | Unlimited post exchange and commissary privileges Unlimited post exchange privileges and up to 24 commissary visits per year |
| Physical Requirements | Physical training 3-4 times a week |
| Life Insurance | The Serviceman’s Group Life Insurance, better known as SGLI, is group term life insurance currently available to all members of the U.S. Army. SGLI is a group life insurance policy purchased by the VA from a commercial life insurance company, and is partially subsidized by the federal government. |
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Compare Active and Reserve Duty
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Active Duty
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ARMY Reserves
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| Age Requirements | Be between the ages of 17-42 years. | Be between the ages of 17-42 years. |
| Length of Service | 2-6 year commitment/Serve a total of 8 years in the military | 1-6 year unit commitment/ Serve a total of 8 years in the military |
| Retirement | May Retire after 20 yrs. of qualifying service | Modified retirement possible after 20 yrs. of qualifying service |
| Job Choices | 200 jobs to choose from | 180 jobs to choose from |
| Medical / Dental Benefits | Medical and dental benefits | Medical and dental benefits when on active duty |
| Job training opportunities | Specialized job training (AIT) | Specialized job training (AIT) |
| Location of duty | May be stationed at home or on foreign soil | Stationed at home unless called to active duty |
| Work Schedule | Serve 5 days a week | Serve one weekend a month and two contiguous weeks a year |
| Vacation & Leave | 30 days military leave per year (paid vacation) | Paid vacation only if you are on extended active duty |
| Social & Recreational Programs | Unlimited access to all military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities or programs | Unlimited access to all military Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) facilities or programs |
| Education Benefits | Educational benefits | Some Educational benefits |
| Commissary Privileges | Unlimited post exchange and commissary privileges | Unlimited post exchange and commissary privileges Unlimited post exchange privileges and up to 24 commissary visits per year |
| Physical Requirements | Physical training 3-4 times a week | Responsible for maintaining your own physical fitness (you will be tested twice a year) |