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why should i join the military?

what are benefits of joining the army and what do i do if i change my mind later on?

medicine military army navy
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Anthony’s Answer

"benefits of joining the army?"

Hello Riley,
If you are thinking about joining the Army, then you should think about: "ask not what your country can do for you. Ask what you can do for your country...(JFK)"

Even though the military can provide all of the benefit outlined in the answers in this thread. The greatest benefit you will get, that you cannot normally get anywhere else, is the honor of being the person who serves to preserve the democracy of the United States, to protect the way of life in this country. For all of the benefits the military provided, it will not be able to compensate for the scarifies (physically and mentally) that the men and women in uniform gave to our country.

I salute you for thinking about joining the Services. Do diligent research before you decide so that you do not give up before your enlistment contract ended. It's very different and challenging. The training is rigorous. But the experience is also very rewarding (not financially of course.)
Defending on what MOS you will be assigned, you may get to do things and go places 'civilian' won't be able to. There will be experiences to tell your children and grandchildren about (been there, done that kind of feeling :-) ).

Best of Luck!
Anthony
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ANDI’s Answer

If you change your mind while still waiting to ship off to bootcamp, you're perfectly fine.
If you wait until after your contract has gone into effect, it could be quite difficult.
The contract is binding. You are in for at least the first 4 years no matter what.
Some people do get separated because they have done something unbecoming, because of medical issues, or failure to acclimate.
After the completion of your contract you may decide on your own to get out or reenlist for another contracted term.
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Kess’s Answer

Hi, Riley!

I think everyone covered a lot of this well. While I was in the Army, a chaplain once told me, "the best days in the Army will be the best days of your life; the worst days in the Army will also be the worst of your life."

Make sure you choose a job you want. With the medical tag, I would suggest enlisting as an Army Medic (or Licenced Practical Nurse if you can get it!) or Navy Corpsman. If you are not 100% sure, maybe consider joining the reserves or the national guard. Coast Guard is also an option. It's very difficult to "quit" once you are in though.

All that being said. I absolutely loved the Army. I loved being a medic, loved the people I was with, loved the lifestyle. And not everyone does. The military is not for everyone.
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Jonny’s Answer

Choosing the right branch for you is key. Many find their path in the Air Force, where success can often be easier to achieve compared to more challenging branches like the Marine Corps. However, it's important to remember that every role within the military has its unique culture and appeals to specific personality types. So, it really comes down to your personal choice and what you aim to accomplish in your military career. Your success ultimately lies in your hands and the decisions you make.
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Jacob’s Answer

Hi, Riley,

I think both Barry and John shared some helpful insight on the benefits of military service. I'd like to share a little different perspective. I was an Army Officer for 4 years after college and can't stress that common portrayals of military life in films and the media are often not very realistic. Military service is more than a job or career - it is a lifestyle. The demands of serving take a tremendous toll on you and your family. Military service is not for everyone. If serving is something you are interested in, I'd recommend talking to as many veterans as you can reach and carefully considering what specific specialties / roles interest you. One of the big difficulties is that, once you select a branch / specialty / sign a contract, there isn't much you can do if you change your mind and / or find you don't enjoy it. The different career options are pretty easy to find online by simple searching for "career opportunities [Branch Name]".

There is no doubt that there are a ton of benefits in serving in one of the military branches and I certainly value my tenure in the Army. With that said, those benefits come at a significant cost. One must balance the costs and benefits to confidently step into service.

I hope this helps - feel free to comment if you have any follow-up questions. Good luck!
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John’s Answer

Barry Walters, did an excellent job of outlining many of the major selling points of the military. Each and every one is true. Here are some other reasons. To get away from the people you have been around your entire life. Birds of a feather do flock together and surrounding yourself with individuals who are trained to do the right thing on regular bases is something a lot of people wish they had in their lives. Do you want to learn what a sense of accomplishment feels like? What working together as a team feels like? The military will teach you both of those things. More and more the military has state-of-the-art technology you could learn to use, but also mechanical, and physically demanding jobs. You get to do what you want to do but you learn to do it the Army way. Plus, you can get both a pension and a retirement fund you can leave with while you learn about being a Soldier for Life, look it up.
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Barry’s Answer

Joining the military is a commitment, most common is 4 to 6 yrs depending on what you decide to do in the military. A lot benefits you personally get will also depend on you taking the initiative to go after them.

1. Education: Opportunities for higher education, training, and skill development.
2. Health Care: Access to health care, dental care, and life insurance.
3. Job Training: Gain job skills, leadership experience, and training.
4. Retirement Benefits: Eligible for military pension after 20 years of service.
5. Travel: Possibility of travel and deployment to various locations.
6. Leadership Opportunities: Grow as a leader and develop management skills.
7. Community: Strong sense of community and camaraderie with fellow service members.
8. Discounts: Access to various military discounts on goods and services.
9. Career Opportunities: Opportunities for career advancement and job security.
10. Tax Benefits: Eligibility for various tax benefits and allowances.

Things that I have seen personally from my son and I being in the military...
1. Respect and Honor: Many civilians give great respect to people in the military. I have had countless times just being in public, or out eating , where people will just come and say thank you, or buy your meal. Just out of respect for you and your commitment.
2. Discounts: This is a great perk if you use it. One that was always a go to for me was Under Armour. Usually get like 10% off your order. Many other places give military discounts. There is a company called ID.me that will list and notify you of certain discounts that you personaly would be eligible for online , and in brick and mortar stores.
3. If you decide to get out... Many companies will aim towards hiring previous military. The experience you get in the military can help with you getting a job over someone else. You learn to be on time, work well with others, pay attention to detail, no how to lead! all great qualities to have and put on an application, and you have experience doing them!
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