3 answers
Nian
Student
Pretoria, Gauteng, South Africa
2
Questions
Asked
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How can I improve my millitary skills
Iam just someone who wants millitary advise and
how to improve myself in the millitary #education
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3 answers
Brittanie Kelley
Network Engineer
2
Answers
Haslet, Texas
Updated
Brittanie’s Answer
Hi Nian,
I spent 8 years in the military. You asked for advice about the military as well as how to improve your skills. I'm not sure if you are considering going into the military or are already in. So with that, I am going to answer your question from both points of view.
If you're considering joining the military:
1. Determine why it is you want to join. The last thing you want to do is join for all the wrong reasons (just to have something to do, money, friends are doing it, etc.). I am in no way saying you have to be patriotic, but I am saying you want to make sure that it really is something you want to do. I say that because it is a commitment. When you take that vow, you are promising to be where you are needed, to be available when needed, to be fit and able to do your job, and to submit to those in authority. If these four promises are something you can keep, then you will do well in the military.
2. You would want to determine which branch (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) you want to join, because not all branches are the same. Their physical requirements are different, some of the jobs are different, as well as a few other things. You will also want to determine if you want to do Active Duty (full-time commitment), Reserves (one weekend a month / two weeks a year commitment) or National/Air Guard (same commitment as Reserves).
3. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the benefits of being in the military. For the me, the most important benefit was being apart of something bigger than myself, and the satisfaction I get from knowing that I served and put others above myself. Other benefits includes the following:
> When applying to jobs you get job preference depending on your military status. You also have access to career training from many different organizations. In addition to that, the valuable experience you gain from your job in the military gives you an edge that those who didn't serve doesn't have. Note there are many military employers who specifically seek Veterans to hire.
> Education - Military members/veterans can get some or even all of their education/certificate training paid for (9/11 GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, & Student Loan Repayment). Also, when you begin to have a family (spouse and children), they also are entitled to these benefits because you served.
> There are also other benefits such as the VA Home Loan program, great healthcare, and a host of other things.
So all in all, the military benefits not just you, but your family, too. It doesn't just benefit you in the here and now, but in the future as well.
If you are already in the military:
1. My greatest advice to you is to stay focused and to always do what is right. I know this sounds cliché, but trust me you want to do it. Just like in everyday life there are temptations all around you. I encourage you to not fall prey to them. If you are serving, I've been in your shoes and thus know how easy it to get mixed up into trouble. I was able to stay away from the foolishness by saying no and staying firm in my decision. It didn't matter how many times someone ask or said something, I was unwavering in my answer. I've seen people get kicked out because of foolish behavior, and they lost all of their benefits as a result. One guy in particular, found life to be hard afterwards. It is not easy walking around with an "other than honorable" discharge. I want you to know that whatever you do in the military follow you around for life. Am I saying you're going to punished for it forever, no. What I am saying it isn't going to be easy to come from under that umbrella.
2. My other advice to you is to train hard. Do your job to the best of your ability. The job I had when I served led to the job I have now. Because of my dedication then and by the grace of God, I am succeeding now. You also want to stay mentally and physically fit. This is not only required of you by the military, but it is also great for your health.
Be the best Soldier, Airman, Seaman, or Marine you can possibly be.
Hooah
I spent 8 years in the military. You asked for advice about the military as well as how to improve your skills. I'm not sure if you are considering going into the military or are already in. So with that, I am going to answer your question from both points of view.
If you're considering joining the military:
1. Determine why it is you want to join. The last thing you want to do is join for all the wrong reasons (just to have something to do, money, friends are doing it, etc.). I am in no way saying you have to be patriotic, but I am saying you want to make sure that it really is something you want to do. I say that because it is a commitment. When you take that vow, you are promising to be where you are needed, to be available when needed, to be fit and able to do your job, and to submit to those in authority. If these four promises are something you can keep, then you will do well in the military.
2. You would want to determine which branch (Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard) you want to join, because not all branches are the same. Their physical requirements are different, some of the jobs are different, as well as a few other things. You will also want to determine if you want to do Active Duty (full-time commitment), Reserves (one weekend a month / two weeks a year commitment) or National/Air Guard (same commitment as Reserves).
3. I would be remiss not to acknowledge the benefits of being in the military. For the me, the most important benefit was being apart of something bigger than myself, and the satisfaction I get from knowing that I served and put others above myself. Other benefits includes the following:
> When applying to jobs you get job preference depending on your military status. You also have access to career training from many different organizations. In addition to that, the valuable experience you gain from your job in the military gives you an edge that those who didn't serve doesn't have. Note there are many military employers who specifically seek Veterans to hire.
> Education - Military members/veterans can get some or even all of their education/certificate training paid for (9/11 GI Bill, Tuition Assistance, & Student Loan Repayment). Also, when you begin to have a family (spouse and children), they also are entitled to these benefits because you served.
> There are also other benefits such as the VA Home Loan program, great healthcare, and a host of other things.
So all in all, the military benefits not just you, but your family, too. It doesn't just benefit you in the here and now, but in the future as well.
If you are already in the military:
1. My greatest advice to you is to stay focused and to always do what is right. I know this sounds cliché, but trust me you want to do it. Just like in everyday life there are temptations all around you. I encourage you to not fall prey to them. If you are serving, I've been in your shoes and thus know how easy it to get mixed up into trouble. I was able to stay away from the foolishness by saying no and staying firm in my decision. It didn't matter how many times someone ask or said something, I was unwavering in my answer. I've seen people get kicked out because of foolish behavior, and they lost all of their benefits as a result. One guy in particular, found life to be hard afterwards. It is not easy walking around with an "other than honorable" discharge. I want you to know that whatever you do in the military follow you around for life. Am I saying you're going to punished for it forever, no. What I am saying it isn't going to be easy to come from under that umbrella.
2. My other advice to you is to train hard. Do your job to the best of your ability. The job I had when I served led to the job I have now. Because of my dedication then and by the grace of God, I am succeeding now. You also want to stay mentally and physically fit. This is not only required of you by the military, but it is also great for your health.
Be the best Soldier, Airman, Seaman, or Marine you can possibly be.
Hooah
Chandler Archuleta
Engineering Manager
14
Answers
Baltimore, Maryland
Updated
Chandler’s Answer
Military improvement can be achieved with mental and physical training.
Mental training includes your military specialization and understanding of the organization you support. Flash cards are one of the best method for mental training because they can be taken anywhere from battlefield to barracks.
Physical training is best with aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Running and drilling with good quality footwear will improve your physical inspections/tests. Weight training and swimming will add muscle to improve operational ability.
Ask your superior what are the most important things to know. Then make flash cards on those subjects to study when you have free time.
Get some good footwear. Run and weight train until your conditioning is better than your peers.
Mental training includes your military specialization and understanding of the organization you support. Flash cards are one of the best method for mental training because they can be taken anywhere from battlefield to barracks.
Physical training is best with aerobic and anaerobic exercise. Running and drilling with good quality footwear will improve your physical inspections/tests. Weight training and swimming will add muscle to improve operational ability.
Chandler recommends the following next steps:
Spencer Smith
Financial Analyst
3
Answers
Amarillo, Texas
Updated
Spencer’s Answer
Being very physically fit will be the best thing when joining the service. Being able to run 5+ miles on a regular basis paired with the ability to do a lot of full body workouts like push-ups, sit-ups, and pull-ups. The more fit you are going in the more you can focus on learning the soldier skills you are taught in basic training. Also, the most physically fit individuals tend to stick out the most in the military. Best of luck!