OPTIONS TO CONSIDER

United States Military

Entering the Military

Enlisted Servicemembers Enlisted servicemembers make up the majority of the Military To enlist, an individual must be 18 years old, or 17 with parental

consent. He or she must also have graduated from high school, although a

General Education Development (GED) certificate is sometimes acceptable.

Officers Officers are the managers of the Military, planning and directing

operations or acting in professional roles in fields such as law and medicine.

Officers have generally completed a four-year college degree or greater before serving, though it is possible to advance through the enlisted ranks and complete officer training later.

D R A F T

Enlisting in the Military

Talk to a recruiter and set a date to visit a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

The MEPS is a joint-Service organization that determines an applicant’s physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service. There are MEPS locations all over the country.

Candidates officially complete the process of joining the Military once they meet all of the requirements at the MEPS. This process may take up to two days. (Food and lodging are usually provided.)

Once you have met the requirements, there are five steps involved in becoming enlisted.

Step 1: Take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

A multiple-choice exam that helps determine for which careers an individual is best suited.

Takes approximately three hours to complete and has questions about standard school subjects like math, English, writing and science.

Some high schools offer and administer the ASVAB.

Scores are usually valid for up to two years.If you have taken the ASVAB, inform your

recruiter and see if your results are still valid.

Step 2: Pass the physical examination

The physical is a regular medical exam, similar to what you would receive at a family doctor.

Examinations include: Height and weight measurements Hearing and vision examinations Urine and blood tests Drug and alcohol tests Muscle group and joint maneuvers Specialized test if required (pregnancy test for women,

body fat percentage test for those who are overweight, tests relating to any unusual medical history)

Step 3: Meet with a counselor and determine a career

At this point, a service enlistment counselor meets with each recruit to find the right job specialty. A few different factors contribute to career selection: Needs of the Service Job availability ASVAB score Physical requirements (for example, a recruit needs normal

color vision for some careers) Recruit preference

It is important to fully understand the enlistment agreement before signing. When a recruit signs this agreement, he or she is making a serious commitment to the Military!

At this time, recruits are also fingerprinted for background checks and security clearances.

Step 4: Take the oath of enlistment

Once the recruit’s career has been determined, he or she is ready to take the oath of enlistment.

In this statement, the recruit vows to defend the U.S. Constitution and obey the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). I, (name), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will

support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

Step 5: After the MEPS

The new recruit now does one of two things, depending on the terms of his or her enlistment:

Direct Ship – The recruit reports to Basic Training between two days and two months after completing MEPS testing requirements. (It varies based on job assignment and branch.) A recruiter will provide instructions on transportation to Basic Training at this time.

Delayed Entry Program (DEP) – The recruit commits to Basic Training at a time in the future, generally within one year. This is especially popular with recruits who enlist before completing high school. Recruits enrolled in DEP may return to their homes until the time comes to report for duty.

Becoming a Military Officer

Commissioned officers generally enter the Military with a four-year college degree or greater, or receive officer training following tours of enlisted service.

Officers are generally employed in management roles or highly specialized fields that require professional degrees (e.g., doctors, lawyers and chaplains).

An individual interested in serving as an officer has four options: Attend a Senior Military College or Academy Enroll at a traditional college or university with a Reserve

Officer Training Corps (ROTC) program Attend Officer Candidate School (OCS) after graduating from

college Receive a direct commission after earning a professional

degree.

Academies and Colleges

These highly competitive schools are virtually free of charge for those accepted.

The government pays for each student’s tuition, room and board, uniform and books.

Students are sometimes given a living stipend as well to help cover fees, a personal computer and other class supplies.

In return, the student commits to serving as an officer for a set period after graduation, usually five years.

ROTC

ROTC programs provide officer training for students during college in exchange for scholarship money.

In return, the students commit to serving for a set period of time after graduation.

ROTC programs are offered at many schools and allow the student to have a traditional college experience while preparing for his or her future as an officer.

Direct Commission

Direct Commission Officers (DCOs) are civilians who have special skills needed for military operations. These are usually individuals who have earned

professional degrees in fields such as medicine, law, religious studies, engineering or intelligence.

Groups such as the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps, Chaplain Corps and Medical Corps frequently employ DCOs.

Transitioning from Enlisted to Officer

Enlisted servicemembers with the right qualifications may be recommended for officer school by a commanding officer.

In addition, there are two other ways that enlisted servicemembers can earn an officer title. Warrant officers are promoted from the enlisted ranks

for technical expertise and rank between the highest enlisted and lowest commissioned officers.

Non-commissioned officers (NCOs) are high-ranking enlisted servicemembers who have been given officer-like authority by their superiors.

Military Options

Air ForceArmyCoast GuardMarine CorpsNavyNational Guard

U.S. AIR FORCE

The Air Force began as a subdivision of the U.S. Army. It wasn’t until 1947, following World War II, that the Air Force was recognized as its own military branch.

Today’s Air Force operates with a technologically advanced force of more than 300,000 troops focused on air, space and cyberspace superiority.

To join the Air Force, you must be between 18 and 27 years old, or 17 with parental consent. While exceptions are sometimes made , a high school diplomas is usually required.

U.S. ARMY

As the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, the Army is one of the most powerful fighting forces on Earth. Approximately 571,108 full-time Soldiers in today’s Army defend and serve our nation by land, sea and air.

The Army offers over 150 career opportunities including aviation, information technology, health care, aircraft maintenance and Special Forces.

To enlist in the U.S. Army, you must be between 18 and 35 years old (17 with parental consent), and you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

While exceptions are sometimes made , a high school diplomas is usually required.

COAST GUARD

The Coast Guard currently operates under the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and under the Navy during wartime, or by special presidential order.

In addition to protecting our nation’s waterways, the 43,327 active-duty members of the Coast Guard perform search and rescue, law enforcement and environmental cleanup operations.

To join the Coast Guard, you must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien between 18 and 27 years old (or 17 with parental consent).

While exceptions are sometimes made , a high school diplomas is usually required.

MARINE CORPS

This elite group of men and women live by a strict code of integrity and ethics, playing a major role in the military as the first force on the ground in most conflicts.

Today, 202,441 Marines are stationed around the world at all times, ready to deploy quickly whenever and wherever needed.

To join the Marine Corps, an individual must be between 18 and 29 years old (17 with parental consent) and have a high school diploma.

The minimum service commitment for the Marine Corps is four years.

U.S. Navy

Currently comprised of more than 328,648 personnel, today’s Navy is worldwide, spanning 100 international ports, and is equipped to handle operations both on and under the sea, in the air and on the ground.

Elite groups within the Navy, such as the SEALS and Navy Divers, receive specialized training for advanced warfare situations.

A Navy Sailor generally serves a term of four years.To join the U.S. Navy, you must be between 18 and 34

years old (or 17 years old with parental consent). While exceptions are sometimes made , a high school

diplomas is usually required.

NATIONAL GUARD

The Army National Guard is made up of Citizen-Soldiers who train part time, close to home, until needed.

The Guard mobilizes to protect U.S. domestic interests in times of conflict or natural disaster and may be deployed internationally alongside full-time troops when the situation demands.

The Air National Guard is made up of Citizen-Airmen who train part time, close to home, until called upon for duty.

These professionals serve both the federal and state governments – assisting their communities and helping the U.S. Air Force guard America’s skies.

ResourcesVideos, Articles & Lots of Information

http://www.todaysmilitary.com

http://www.military.com

http://www.usmilitary.com

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