Are you debating a career with the United States Armed Services? Do you have dreams of enlisting in the military to serve your country, travel the world, get money for college, or simply live a life of patriotic adventure? In this article I will give you some tips and advice regarding joining the US Armed Services.I often hear this comment from potential military recruits "I think I want to join the Army" (or Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard). Joining the military was one of the best decisions in my adult life and may very well be for you, however this is not a decision that you want to take lightly.While the military certainly offers a great deal of benefits, it also requires a serious commitment with rigorous work and personal sacrifices. Therefor, if this is something you are interested in doing, be sure to properly weigh your options prior to enlistment.
A typical war involved enemy soldiers meeting on the battlefield. The act of war was defined by the soldiers on the ground engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Surrenders and victories were often determined by the ability of one side to fight harder than the other.That is not the case today. Very few battles are still fought in a hand-to-hand combat manner. Few battles are even fought on the actual battlefield. In today's world where technology dominates, many battles are fought in the boardroom, or with weapons fired from a long distance away.
Therefor you first have to consider how you interpret the word 'fight'. In today's military, many service members do not even carry a weapon on deployment. And of the troops deployed to the war zones such as the middle east, many of them are actually stationed on a safe and secured US Military Base working in rather safe conditions, perhaps doing paperwork or other technical aspects related to the larger fight going on.The above scenario applies to a large volume of the troops currently deployed. However, there are still those troops who are actually on the ground, patrolling enemy territory, and yes engaging in hand-to-hand combat if the situation calls for it.
Once the training is complete, your true service begins. You can be stationed anywhere in the world, asked to do any number of tasks related to the work you trained for. You may find yourself in combat, or sitting behind a desk. You may find yourself removed from family and friends for months at a time. I'm not trying to discourage you from joining, but instead want to make sure this is something you've fully thought about before joining.
By the way, if you considering joining the military you should download my free ebook: "Raise Your ASVAB Score With 10 Simple Tips" . The Coast Guard's Aviation Trainng Center in Mobile, Alabama has a dual mission. The first is to train newly winged Coast Guard pilots to fly the aircraft they'll be flying once they join the fleet.The second is to maintain the qualifications of fleet aviators.When you finish flight school you'll be assigned to fly fly either the HH-60 Jayhawk, HH-65 Dauphin, HU-25 Guardian, HC-144 Ocean Sentry of the HC 130 Hercules. Pilots for every aircraft listed above (except C-130 pilots who train with the Air Force) will go the ATC.When you go to the ATC you'll be a winged pilot. In other words you'll be official but you are still at the beginning of your journey. Be proud of earning your wings but realize you still have a lot to learn.It's the Aviation Training Center's job to make sure that you have a firm understanding and knowledge of the aircraft you'll be flying when you get to your operational air station.Coast guard pilots have a lot of responsibility placed on their shoulders. The C.G. is the premier maritime law enforcement agency and stands shoulder to shoulder with other agencies (such as the FBI) in preventing terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Coastie aviation plays a vital role in both of these areas.Once you become qualified in your aircraft you'll go one of the many operation air stations across the nation where you'll gain real world experience with your aircraft and the various missions performed, by men and women like you, day in and day out.
Regardless of which branch of the service has captured your heart, there are some military entrance conditions that are standard for entering any branch.Get That Degree.Our military is a group of committed, educated people ready to serve our country. When you sign up, you should at least have a high school diploma in hand. You might be able to be accepted with a GED, but your career opportunities and advancement will be limited.
The minimum age to get enrolled in the United States defense services is 17 years with the prior permission of the parents. At this age, the aspirant has to participate in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). The applicant is given the opportunity to participate in locally sponsored military related activities ranging between sports and completions led by recruiters or other military liaisons. The prospective service members are recruited from high school and college, the target age is between 18 and 28 years old. Currently, when the economy is stumbling, and the spirit of patriotism is high, the opportunities in military with their benefits are attracting the youngsters to join the services. The military recruiters on the campus are offering competitive entry-level salaries. There is no racial or color discrimination in the military services and even the African-Americans are given the equal salaries and similar opportunities for growth.
But, I have friends whose relatives did serve in different wars and I know how they reacted. I have a girlfriend whose husband has served several tours in Afghanistan. I know she worries and prays for his safe return and she and her daughter miss him terribly.I have friends who lost their son in law and I remember standing on the street as his hearse went by, watching the salutes and honor and feeling so sad for those who had to say goodbye to this young man. It tore me apart and all I could do was join the procession and salute as his coffin me by.I know a few men who served in Vietnam and that is all I know because they would never discuss any details, ever. I grew up in the age when there were protests about our involvement there, and many young people even committed suicide to either avoid being drafted or to make a statement against that war.I only have an arm chair warrior's view of World War I or WWII or any other battle. I read the history books; I watch the news and specials about Pearl Harbor, about Hitler, about Korea and the many other combats. What I am trying to say is that all of my experience, opinions and feelings are second-hand.
So, I do not know what it must be like to be the wife waiting for the husband to return and he never does. I am not mother who sends her son off to battle and prays nightly that he returns safely. As a daughter I have never struggled to understand where my Mom or Dad were and what a war really means.I can only empathize. And today, be grateful beyond words. I do not understand nor do I live in fear as those in war torn countries do. And the reason I don't and hopefully never will is because of all those people who serve our country. Their commitment and courage have protected me and my family through all the conflicts and ugliness.
There are approximately more than 1,426,000 personnel currently active in the military with additional more than 1,259,000 personnel in the seven reserves. Women cannot serve in the combat specialties but they are allowed to serve in non-combat specialties.Apart from the combat services, there are many other ground services such as logistics, transportation, administration, medical, engineering, accounting, public relations, and so on. Further, there is always a big demand of the aspirants to join any of these services. Many of the former defense personnel are now well settled in their life even after the retirement. Moreover, the benefits which they get even after their leaving the services are enough to attract anybody to join the military services. So, you can also apply to the services of your choice and serve the nation with proud and dignity.
A typical war involved enemy soldiers meeting on the battlefield. The act of war was defined by the soldiers on the ground engaging in hand-to-hand combat. Surrenders and victories were often determined by the ability of one side to fight harder than the other.That is not the case today. Very few battles are still fought in a hand-to-hand combat manner. Few battles are even fought on the actual battlefield. In today's world where technology dominates, many battles are fought in the boardroom, or with weapons fired from a long distance away.
Therefor you first have to consider how you interpret the word 'fight'. In today's military, many service members do not even carry a weapon on deployment. And of the troops deployed to the war zones such as the middle east, many of them are actually stationed on a safe and secured US Military Base working in rather safe conditions, perhaps doing paperwork or other technical aspects related to the larger fight going on.The above scenario applies to a large volume of the troops currently deployed. However, there are still those troops who are actually on the ground, patrolling enemy territory, and yes engaging in hand-to-hand combat if the situation calls for it.
Once the training is complete, your true service begins. You can be stationed anywhere in the world, asked to do any number of tasks related to the work you trained for. You may find yourself in combat, or sitting behind a desk. You may find yourself removed from family and friends for months at a time. I'm not trying to discourage you from joining, but instead want to make sure this is something you've fully thought about before joining.
By the way, if you considering joining the military you should download my free ebook: "Raise Your ASVAB Score With 10 Simple Tips" . The Coast Guard's Aviation Trainng Center in Mobile, Alabama has a dual mission. The first is to train newly winged Coast Guard pilots to fly the aircraft they'll be flying once they join the fleet.The second is to maintain the qualifications of fleet aviators.When you finish flight school you'll be assigned to fly fly either the HH-60 Jayhawk, HH-65 Dauphin, HU-25 Guardian, HC-144 Ocean Sentry of the HC 130 Hercules. Pilots for every aircraft listed above (except C-130 pilots who train with the Air Force) will go the ATC.When you go to the ATC you'll be a winged pilot. In other words you'll be official but you are still at the beginning of your journey. Be proud of earning your wings but realize you still have a lot to learn.It's the Aviation Training Center's job to make sure that you have a firm understanding and knowledge of the aircraft you'll be flying when you get to your operational air station.Coast guard pilots have a lot of responsibility placed on their shoulders. The C.G. is the premier maritime law enforcement agency and stands shoulder to shoulder with other agencies (such as the FBI) in preventing terrorist attacks on U.S. soil. Coastie aviation plays a vital role in both of these areas.Once you become qualified in your aircraft you'll go one of the many operation air stations across the nation where you'll gain real world experience with your aircraft and the various missions performed, by men and women like you, day in and day out.
Regardless of which branch of the service has captured your heart, there are some military entrance conditions that are standard for entering any branch.Get That Degree.Our military is a group of committed, educated people ready to serve our country. When you sign up, you should at least have a high school diploma in hand. You might be able to be accepted with a GED, but your career opportunities and advancement will be limited.
The minimum age to get enrolled in the United States defense services is 17 years with the prior permission of the parents. At this age, the aspirant has to participate in the Delayed Entry Program (DEP). The applicant is given the opportunity to participate in locally sponsored military related activities ranging between sports and completions led by recruiters or other military liaisons. The prospective service members are recruited from high school and college, the target age is between 18 and 28 years old. Currently, when the economy is stumbling, and the spirit of patriotism is high, the opportunities in military with their benefits are attracting the youngsters to join the services. The military recruiters on the campus are offering competitive entry-level salaries. There is no racial or color discrimination in the military services and even the African-Americans are given the equal salaries and similar opportunities for growth.
But, I have friends whose relatives did serve in different wars and I know how they reacted. I have a girlfriend whose husband has served several tours in Afghanistan. I know she worries and prays for his safe return and she and her daughter miss him terribly.I have friends who lost their son in law and I remember standing on the street as his hearse went by, watching the salutes and honor and feeling so sad for those who had to say goodbye to this young man. It tore me apart and all I could do was join the procession and salute as his coffin me by.I know a few men who served in Vietnam and that is all I know because they would never discuss any details, ever. I grew up in the age when there were protests about our involvement there, and many young people even committed suicide to either avoid being drafted or to make a statement against that war.I only have an arm chair warrior's view of World War I or WWII or any other battle. I read the history books; I watch the news and specials about Pearl Harbor, about Hitler, about Korea and the many other combats. What I am trying to say is that all of my experience, opinions and feelings are second-hand.
So, I do not know what it must be like to be the wife waiting for the husband to return and he never does. I am not mother who sends her son off to battle and prays nightly that he returns safely. As a daughter I have never struggled to understand where my Mom or Dad were and what a war really means.I can only empathize. And today, be grateful beyond words. I do not understand nor do I live in fear as those in war torn countries do. And the reason I don't and hopefully never will is because of all those people who serve our country. Their commitment and courage have protected me and my family through all the conflicts and ugliness.
There are approximately more than 1,426,000 personnel currently active in the military with additional more than 1,259,000 personnel in the seven reserves. Women cannot serve in the combat specialties but they are allowed to serve in non-combat specialties.Apart from the combat services, there are many other ground services such as logistics, transportation, administration, medical, engineering, accounting, public relations, and so on. Further, there is always a big demand of the aspirants to join any of these services. Many of the former defense personnel are now well settled in their life even after the retirement. Moreover, the benefits which they get even after their leaving the services are enough to attract anybody to join the military services. So, you can also apply to the services of your choice and serve the nation with proud and dignity.
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