10 answers
Jayden
Student
El Monte, California
1
Question
Asked
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What is life like in the military ?
My name is Jayden, I am in 11th grade and I am thinking about my future.
What are some benefits of joining the military and what does a day in your life look like ?
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10 answers
Victor Echeverria
Administrative
1
Answer
Seal Beach, California
Updated
Victor’s Answer
Hello,
I’m active duty navy, been in 13 years, and I love it so far. And to answer your question as far as the navy goes it depends where you are stationed at. Right now I’m stationed on shore in Los Angeles so I do a lot of training and administrative paperwork Monday through Friday with weekends off. Every few months we go down to Camp Pendleton to shoot guns which is very fun. When I was on an aircraft carrier each day was different. Sometimes we had to unpack and load up supplies, other days we’d volunteer and clean the park. On deployment we would wake up clean for an hour, have breakfast, do our job (depends what you signed up for) lunch, gym, more work, dinner, shower and bed for 7 months.
Overall it’s been a great experience where I’ve met some amazing people and seen some amazing places. I can’t recommend it enough.
I’m active duty navy, been in 13 years, and I love it so far. And to answer your question as far as the navy goes it depends where you are stationed at. Right now I’m stationed on shore in Los Angeles so I do a lot of training and administrative paperwork Monday through Friday with weekends off. Every few months we go down to Camp Pendleton to shoot guns which is very fun. When I was on an aircraft carrier each day was different. Sometimes we had to unpack and load up supplies, other days we’d volunteer and clean the park. On deployment we would wake up clean for an hour, have breakfast, do our job (depends what you signed up for) lunch, gym, more work, dinner, shower and bed for 7 months.
Overall it’s been a great experience where I’ve met some amazing people and seen some amazing places. I can’t recommend it enough.
Brock Chism
Corrections Specialist
12
Answers
Oceanside, California
Updated
Brock’s Answer
Hey, what's up, Jayden!
My name is Brock; I am 20 years old, currently an active-duty Marine. My MOS is 5831 - Corrections and Detentions Specialist. I have been in for 3 years now. I'm stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. There are countless benefits when it comes to being a service member. I'll give you the top 3 that have helped me so far.
Number one, full medical and dental coverage. Your health is obviously very important. Stepping into adulthood can be scary and challenging. Not having to worry about medical bills definitely lightens the load. Number two, housing is covered. I am married. The military grants me an extra 2800 dollars a month for me to have my own little place for my wife and me. If you're not married, you will live in the barracks. Depending on where you go, you may live with a roommate or by yourself. Some places are nicer than others. Number 3, school is free. I am enrolled in an online college program. I use my tuition assistance to pay for my courses. I personally joined, thinking I would never go to school again, but I looked into it and discovered it to be very easy. Education helps with promotions, and in case you get out, you'll at least already have some college under your belt.
My day-to-day is very irregular. I work 24-hour shifts; however, I only work 10 days a month. I don't get holidays. But that's where your opportunity to take leave comes in. You earn 2.5 days of leave every month (at least in the Marine Corps). On paper, I have a lot of free time but there are some work-related things I have to do on some of my "off days". Such as monthly training and unit PT.
So far, I've enjoyed my experience and have met a lot of great people. My life has changed for the better and I'm very proud of myself.
My name is Brock; I am 20 years old, currently an active-duty Marine. My MOS is 5831 - Corrections and Detentions Specialist. I have been in for 3 years now. I'm stationed in Camp Pendleton, CA. There are countless benefits when it comes to being a service member. I'll give you the top 3 that have helped me so far.
Number one, full medical and dental coverage. Your health is obviously very important. Stepping into adulthood can be scary and challenging. Not having to worry about medical bills definitely lightens the load. Number two, housing is covered. I am married. The military grants me an extra 2800 dollars a month for me to have my own little place for my wife and me. If you're not married, you will live in the barracks. Depending on where you go, you may live with a roommate or by yourself. Some places are nicer than others. Number 3, school is free. I am enrolled in an online college program. I use my tuition assistance to pay for my courses. I personally joined, thinking I would never go to school again, but I looked into it and discovered it to be very easy. Education helps with promotions, and in case you get out, you'll at least already have some college under your belt.
My day-to-day is very irregular. I work 24-hour shifts; however, I only work 10 days a month. I don't get holidays. But that's where your opportunity to take leave comes in. You earn 2.5 days of leave every month (at least in the Marine Corps). On paper, I have a lot of free time but there are some work-related things I have to do on some of my "off days". Such as monthly training and unit PT.
So far, I've enjoyed my experience and have met a lot of great people. My life has changed for the better and I'm very proud of myself.
Anthony Kuzma
Project Delivery and Cyber Security
9
Answers
Panama City, Florida
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Jayden,
Each branch of the military offers unique missions and benefits. I served nearly 14 years in the Air Force before retiring due to medical reasons, so I can share my experiences from that perspective.
Benefits:
- Reliable Pay: You get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. Even during government shutdowns, military-friendly banks like USAA and Navy Federal offer a 0% interest advance on your paycheck.
- Pay Structure: Your pay depends on your rank and years of service. Pay increases annually for the first few years and then every two years after that. Additional pay is available for certain duties or locations, and married service members receive a housing allowance.
- Medical Coverage: Tricare covers your medical needs without out-of-pocket expenses, though getting specialist referrals can take time. It covers surgeries, childbirth, and more.
- Education: The Air Force provides 100% tuition assistance up to $4,500 per year. You can earn college credits by passing tests. I completed my degree in Cybersecurity without any personal expense.
- Retirement: A Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is set up with matching contributions to help you save for retirement, whether you serve a few years or make it a career.
- Training: You'll receive training for your job, starting with basic training. The Air Force supports certifications like Security+, which are valuable in civilian life. There's also the AFCOOL program for additional certifications.
- Job Security: While you have job security, you'll need to be ready for deployments, sometimes for extended periods. My deployment was to Qatar, which was relatively safe.
- Physical Fitness: Staying fit is part of the job, with regular physical training and tests to ensure readiness.
- Day-to-Day Life: I worked in IT, with typical office hours and occasional on-call duties. Your schedule may vary based on your role, like Security Forces, which often have longer shifts.
Overall, joining the military was a decision I don't regret.
Each branch of the military offers unique missions and benefits. I served nearly 14 years in the Air Force before retiring due to medical reasons, so I can share my experiences from that perspective.
Benefits:
- Reliable Pay: You get paid on the 1st and 15th of every month. Even during government shutdowns, military-friendly banks like USAA and Navy Federal offer a 0% interest advance on your paycheck.
- Pay Structure: Your pay depends on your rank and years of service. Pay increases annually for the first few years and then every two years after that. Additional pay is available for certain duties or locations, and married service members receive a housing allowance.
- Medical Coverage: Tricare covers your medical needs without out-of-pocket expenses, though getting specialist referrals can take time. It covers surgeries, childbirth, and more.
- Education: The Air Force provides 100% tuition assistance up to $4,500 per year. You can earn college credits by passing tests. I completed my degree in Cybersecurity without any personal expense.
- Retirement: A Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) is set up with matching contributions to help you save for retirement, whether you serve a few years or make it a career.
- Training: You'll receive training for your job, starting with basic training. The Air Force supports certifications like Security+, which are valuable in civilian life. There's also the AFCOOL program for additional certifications.
- Job Security: While you have job security, you'll need to be ready for deployments, sometimes for extended periods. My deployment was to Qatar, which was relatively safe.
- Physical Fitness: Staying fit is part of the job, with regular physical training and tests to ensure readiness.
- Day-to-Day Life: I worked in IT, with typical office hours and occasional on-call duties. Your schedule may vary based on your role, like Security Forces, which often have longer shifts.
Overall, joining the military was a decision I don't regret.
Anthony Kuzma
Project Delivery and Cyber Security
9
Answers
Panama City, Florida
Updated
Anthony’s Answer
Jayden,
Every branch of the military has its own special missions and perks. I spent nearly 14 years in the Air Force before retiring for medical reasons, and I can share what I learned during that time.
- Steady Pay: You'll receive a paycheck on the 1st and 15th of each month. Even during government shutdowns, banks like USAA and Navy Federal help out with a 0% interest advance.
- Pay Growth: Your salary increases with your rank and years of service. It goes up every year at first, then every two years. Extra pay is available for special duties or locations, and married members get a housing allowance.
- Healthcare: Tricare covers all your medical needs without extra costs. It includes surgeries, childbirth, and more, though specialist referrals might take a bit of time.
- Education: The Air Force covers 100% of tuition up to $4,500 annually. You can earn college credits by passing tests. I finished my Cybersecurity degree without spending a dime.
- Retirement Savings: The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) helps you save for retirement with matching contributions, whether you serve a few years or make it a career.
- Training: You'll get job training, starting with basic training. The Air Force supports valuable certifications like Security+. The AFCOOL program offers more certification opportunities.
- Job Security: Your job is secure, but be prepared for deployments, sometimes for long periods. My deployment to Qatar was quite safe.
- Fitness: Staying fit is part of the job, with regular exercise and fitness tests to keep you ready.
- Daily Life: I worked in IT with regular office hours and some on-call duties. Your schedule might differ based on your role, like Security Forces, which often have longer shifts.
Overall, joining the military was a choice I’m glad I made.
Every branch of the military has its own special missions and perks. I spent nearly 14 years in the Air Force before retiring for medical reasons, and I can share what I learned during that time.
- Steady Pay: You'll receive a paycheck on the 1st and 15th of each month. Even during government shutdowns, banks like USAA and Navy Federal help out with a 0% interest advance.
- Pay Growth: Your salary increases with your rank and years of service. It goes up every year at first, then every two years. Extra pay is available for special duties or locations, and married members get a housing allowance.
- Healthcare: Tricare covers all your medical needs without extra costs. It includes surgeries, childbirth, and more, though specialist referrals might take a bit of time.
- Education: The Air Force covers 100% of tuition up to $4,500 annually. You can earn college credits by passing tests. I finished my Cybersecurity degree without spending a dime.
- Retirement Savings: The Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) helps you save for retirement with matching contributions, whether you serve a few years or make it a career.
- Training: You'll get job training, starting with basic training. The Air Force supports valuable certifications like Security+. The AFCOOL program offers more certification opportunities.
- Job Security: Your job is secure, but be prepared for deployments, sometimes for long periods. My deployment to Qatar was quite safe.
- Fitness: Staying fit is part of the job, with regular exercise and fitness tests to keep you ready.
- Daily Life: I worked in IT with regular office hours and some on-call duties. Your schedule might differ based on your role, like Security Forces, which often have longer shifts.
Overall, joining the military was a choice I’m glad I made.
Jack Barnella
5831 Corrections Specialist
1
Answer
Camp Pendleton North, California
Updated
Jack’s Answer
Hey Jayden!
A typical day for a service member starts early around 06:00 AM with physical training (PT), followed by breakfast and a standard workday where they perform their specific military job, whether that is cyber defense, aviation maintenance, or tactical training. Once the duty day wraps up in the late afternoon, their personal time is their own to relax, study, work out, or go off-base.
In exchange for this commitment, the military provides life-changing benefits, starting with the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can completely cover your college tuition, housing, and books. You also receive a steady salary, free medical and dental care, 30 days of paid vacation per year, and valuable hands-on training in high-demand career fields that will set you up for success both inside and outside of uniform. What branches or career fields are you most curious about exploring, Jayden?
A typical day for a service member starts early around 06:00 AM with physical training (PT), followed by breakfast and a standard workday where they perform their specific military job, whether that is cyber defense, aviation maintenance, or tactical training. Once the duty day wraps up in the late afternoon, their personal time is their own to relax, study, work out, or go off-base.
In exchange for this commitment, the military provides life-changing benefits, starting with the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which can completely cover your college tuition, housing, and books. You also receive a steady salary, free medical and dental care, 30 days of paid vacation per year, and valuable hands-on training in high-demand career fields that will set you up for success both inside and outside of uniform. What branches or career fields are you most curious about exploring, Jayden?
Stefan Knaack
Consultant
7
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Stefan’s Answer
Jayden
Choose the branch based on the life you want after service, not just the uniform. The military can be a strong path for job training, college funding, discipline, and long-term career credibility, but the “best” branch depends on whether he wants technical skills, travel, combat roles, aviation, public service, or a bridge to civilian employment.
Main benefits of joining the military
Paid job training: You can learn fields like cybersecurity, aviation maintenance, intelligence, mechanics, healthcare, logistics, and engineering.
Education support: Many service members use tuition assistance and GI Bill-type benefits for college or certifications after serving.
Steady pay and benefits: Salary, housing/food support in many cases, healthcare, and retirement options if you stay long term.
Professional development: Leadership, teamwork, time management, and resilience translate well to civilian careers.
Clear career structure: Promotions, qualifications, and training paths are usually well defined.
Security-clearance advantage: Some roles can position you well for government and defense jobs later.
What a typical day can look like
It varies a lot by branch and job, but a normal day often includes:
Early start
Physical training
Morning brief or formation
Job-specific work or training
Equipment checks, admin tasks, or classroom instruction
Lunch
More mission work, maintenance, planning, or study
End-of-day cleanup and prep for tomorrow
Hope this helps a little bit as you continue to consider the military as a career choice.
-Stefan
Choose the branch based on the life you want after service, not just the uniform. The military can be a strong path for job training, college funding, discipline, and long-term career credibility, but the “best” branch depends on whether he wants technical skills, travel, combat roles, aviation, public service, or a bridge to civilian employment.
Main benefits of joining the military
Paid job training: You can learn fields like cybersecurity, aviation maintenance, intelligence, mechanics, healthcare, logistics, and engineering.
Education support: Many service members use tuition assistance and GI Bill-type benefits for college or certifications after serving.
Steady pay and benefits: Salary, housing/food support in many cases, healthcare, and retirement options if you stay long term.
Professional development: Leadership, teamwork, time management, and resilience translate well to civilian careers.
Clear career structure: Promotions, qualifications, and training paths are usually well defined.
Security-clearance advantage: Some roles can position you well for government and defense jobs later.
What a typical day can look like
It varies a lot by branch and job, but a normal day often includes:
Early start
Physical training
Morning brief or formation
Job-specific work or training
Equipment checks, admin tasks, or classroom instruction
Lunch
More mission work, maintenance, planning, or study
End-of-day cleanup and prep for tomorrow
Hope this helps a little bit as you continue to consider the military as a career choice.
-Stefan
Ariane Copeland
HR, Payroll
10
Answers
Woodbridge, Virginia
Updated
Ariane’s Answer
As a Navy veteran, I really enjoyed my time in the military. I started with basic training in Chicago, which prepares you for Navy life. They teach you everything, like what to wear, when to eat and sleep, and what your daily schedule will be. After that, you move on to advanced training for the job you chose in the military. In the military, you get a place to live, meals, healthcare, and your coworkers become like family. It's the only job that offers lifetime income, healthcare in retirement, education opportunities, and the chance to shape your life the way you want!
Sean Williams
QA Test Engineer
11
Answers
Marana, Arizona
Updated
Sean’s Answer
Being a Marine is all about what you put into it, and it can be tough, especially in the Marine Corps. But there are great benefits you can use. For example, Tuition Assistance is available for active duty, though it can be hard to access if you're often in the field. However, the benefits after service, like the GI Bill, are incredibly helpful. It allowed me and many others to attend college, covering tuition that we couldn't afford otherwise.
A typical day starts early, around 5:30-6 a.m., with physical training from Monday to Thursday. Fridays are usually for company or battalion PT, which is similar but with more people and a bit easier. After PT, we have breakfast, shower, and get back to work around 8:30 a.m. We spend the day preparing for field activities, cleaning gear, or doing inventory until about 11 a.m., then have an hour for lunch. We continue working until 4:30-5:00 p.m. When not in the field or deployed, things can get quiet, but you learn to enjoy downtime with fellow Marines.
I recommend joining the military to anyone who is strong-minded. Best of luck with your future!
A typical day starts early, around 5:30-6 a.m., with physical training from Monday to Thursday. Fridays are usually for company or battalion PT, which is similar but with more people and a bit easier. After PT, we have breakfast, shower, and get back to work around 8:30 a.m. We spend the day preparing for field activities, cleaning gear, or doing inventory until about 11 a.m., then have an hour for lunch. We continue working until 4:30-5:00 p.m. When not in the field or deployed, things can get quiet, but you learn to enjoy downtime with fellow Marines.
I recommend joining the military to anyone who is strong-minded. Best of luck with your future!
Darren Cher
Commercial Marketing
4
Answers
Singapore
Updated
Darren’s Answer
I may not be from the US, but where I am from, it is mandatory for males to join the military for 2 years.
I am a 3rd Sergeant in the Singapore Armed Forces. Life in the military on the surface is very routine, as there are many rules and regulations that we have to abide by, therefore, everything you do is in accordance with very specific steps, leaving no room for deviation.
However, where you will benefit is in terms of the soft skills. You learn to be discipline, grow in sense of responsibility to your family, friends and community. Your mind becomes and remains alert to risk and danger, you become two steps ahead of things. All these soft skills will put you in a good position even if it is not in military.
I am a 3rd Sergeant in the Singapore Armed Forces. Life in the military on the surface is very routine, as there are many rules and regulations that we have to abide by, therefore, everything you do is in accordance with very specific steps, leaving no room for deviation.
However, where you will benefit is in terms of the soft skills. You learn to be discipline, grow in sense of responsibility to your family, friends and community. Your mind becomes and remains alert to risk and danger, you become two steps ahead of things. All these soft skills will put you in a good position even if it is not in military.
T. Paul Justice
Cardiovascular Surgical Assistant
2
Answers
Cincinnati, Ohio
Updated
T. Paul’s Answer
As a retired military veteran my time was mixed.
During initial enlistment I was sent to a basic training camp where life was very structured.
You are given instructions on everything. What to wear, how to wear, when to eat, when to sleep, what the plan is for the day. Everything.
After basic training you will be transported to your advanced training course. The training for the job that you signed up to do in the military.
This is very similar to basic training but a little more relaxed.
Life in the military you will be provided with a place to live, food, healthcare and your coworkers will become your family!
The military is the only employer that offers a lifetime income, healthcare in retirement, education opportunities, and a life that you can make it what you want it to be!
During initial enlistment I was sent to a basic training camp where life was very structured.
You are given instructions on everything. What to wear, how to wear, when to eat, when to sleep, what the plan is for the day. Everything.
After basic training you will be transported to your advanced training course. The training for the job that you signed up to do in the military.
This is very similar to basic training but a little more relaxed.
Life in the military you will be provided with a place to live, food, healthcare and your coworkers will become your family!
The military is the only employer that offers a lifetime income, healthcare in retirement, education opportunities, and a life that you can make it what you want it to be!