what kind training do you have to go thru to be in the military

Hi, Juan,

Each branch of the military makes a distinction between enlisted personnel and officers. This link helps point out the distinction between the two. The training differs for enlisted personnel, officers, and also from one branch to another. I'll describe at a high level what the training looks like for each path. To give some background, I was an Army Infantry Officer, so I'm a little more familiar with the training for the Army versus the Marine Corps.

Enlisted personnel attend basic training and then advanced individual training (AIT). Basic training is where you learn the basics of being in the Army or Marine Corps. AIT is where you learn the technical skills for your assigned specialty (e.g. Infantry, Field Artillery, Aviation, etc.).

Officers are commissioned through one of several sources (military academy like West Point or Annapolis, ROTC Program, Officer Candidate School) and must have a college degree. After commissioning, officers attend a basic course tailored for their specialty.

Serving in any branch of the military is incredibly challenging and not for everyone. The experience differs vastly from the romanticizing depicted in movies and video games. I highly encourage you to thoroughly research the different options available in both the Army and the Marine Corps. I would also recommend trying to talk to those who have actually served in the specialties that interest you. The military is a daunting but rewarding career option. I tremendously value the lessons I learned during my service but do not feel that I did a very good job of researching the various options before I selected my specialty.

The links below are helpful starting points for your research. I hope this helps - good luck! Don't hesitate to reach out with any other questions.

Hi Juan,

Supporting your country is a great way to contribute and can positively effect the rest of your life, even after separating from the military and you've completed your enlistment. Each branch requires you attend a "boot camp" ranging in several weeks to several months. Upon completing boot camp, you will attend a school that supports your chosen work field. This can take weeks to years, depending on the job you chose PRIOR to starting boot camp. After completing "school" you will be stationed on a base where you will begin actively using the knowledge and skills you have obtained during boot camp and school. Be sure to pick a job that interests you and take someone who has been in the military with you to talk to the recruiter. Often times, they speak a different language and it's helpful to have someone with you to "translate" the military jargon. Good luck, Juan