Irrespective of the country you are from, serving in the armed forces of your nation, collectively gives everyone the same emotions – patriotism and pride! And if the country happens to be the third most powerful in the world, you would no doubt be interested in registering to serve! The enormous strength of the US armed forces results from a high number of eligible candidates, including non-citizens, willingly volunteering for service.
After China and India, the US has the most powerful military force in the world. The forces are mainly categorized into five divisions, namely – the US army, the Marine Corps, the Coast Guard, the Navy and the Air Force. The President of the United States is the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. This article discusses few basic aspects of the armed forces like eligibility requirements, selection and training, the ranks involved and awards and appreciation.
Although conscription (compulsory enlistment for state service) has been used in history on five occasions (American Revolution, the American Civil War, World War I, World War II, and the Cold War (including both the Korean War and the Vietnam War), it is no longer implemented. However the Selective Service System reserved the right to implement conscription under contingency. It is required that all male citizens and residents residing in the U.S. between the ages of 18–25 register with the service.
The Eligibility Requirements
The minimum entrance age to register for service is 18 years (without parental consent) and 17 years(with parental consent). The retirement age however, varies from department to department. You can view the age chart for various the forces below: ↓
| Department | Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Active Duty | 17-35 | 17-29 | 17-34 | 17-39 |
| Reserve | 17-35 | 17-29 | 18-39 | 17-38 |
| Guard | 17-35 | N/A | N/A | 17-39 |
| Service Academies | 17-22 | 17-22 | 17-22 | 17-22 |
Source : https://www.todaysmilitary.com/joining/entrance-requirements#age-requirements
Coming to physical requirements, they vary greatly depending on the category of fores you apply for. However, it is expected that the applicant is in good physical condition, with appropriate weight and height, and is able to pass the physical screening test conducted for all the applicants.
Regarding educational requirements, aspirants with a GED (General Education Development certificate) may apply. However, at least a high school degree is desirable and mandatory.
US citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents(LPRs/Green Card Holders) are eligible to apply for state service. For the sake of military recruitment, the following regions are also considered to be a part of the United States – Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
A person wanting to join the service must visit a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), where the enlistment process takes place. There are around 65 MEPS centers in the United States and Puerto Rico. Aspirants who have to travel a far distance to an MEPS are provided with free accommodation, food and transportation facilities. Each applicant needs to go through the steps given below:
- Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) testing
- Career Counseling
- Physical Exam
- Background Screening
- Oath of Enlistment
As evident, taking the Oath is the final step in enlistment and an applicant who has completed oath-taking is officially a part of the US military. He/she may choose to immediately start training at the assigned branch, or enroll under Delayed Entry (or Enlistment) Program (DEP) and undergo training at a future time.
The physical exam consists of the following :
- Height and weight measurements: Each Service has its own standards for height and weight
- Hearing and vision examinations: Perfect hearing and vision are not required for enlistment, but may be required for certain career fields. A recruiter can explain prerequisites in detail.
- Urine and blood tests: These include a test for HIV antibodies and a pregnancy test for female applicants, as well as drug and alcohol screening. Be honest with your recruiter and the MEPS physician about past substance use/abuse.
- Muscle group and joint maneuvers: These simple flexibility and balance tests ensure you have proper ranges of motion.
- Specialized tests, if required.
The Training
Training takes place in 2 phases. The basic training, also known as Boot Camp, lasts around 7-12 weeks and focuses on building the mental and physical strength of the trainees. Also, knowledge about US military history is imparted. Although known to be intense and rigorous, a vast majority of the trainees clear this level of training.
The next phase, is the advanced training, where special training is given to suit the particular department/field into which the trainee has been chosen. The various advanced training centers are Army Advanced Individual Training School, Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) School, Navy “A” School, Air Force Technical Training and Coast Guard “A” School.
Through a partnership with the American Council on Education (ACE), many service members have the opportunity to convert their training into a degree. Depending on service and school, service members can receive equivalent college credit for military experience, training and awards that more than 2,300 colleges and universities recognize. Military experience can also translate into civilian licensing and certification for careers such as electrician or software engineer.
Perks/added Benefits
Beyond benefits like health care and retirement plans, life in the Military offers an array of discounts, no matter where a service member is stationed. Service members receive discounts on a wide variety of products and services, and they can participate in multiple free activities, such as sports leagues, while on base.
Service members living on base will find they can purchase many household items, food and clothing at a discount in the base exchange or commissary. A commissary is a military store that sells items to service members at close to cost. About five percent is charged for store maintenance and employee wages, but otherwise merchandise is not marked up. These discounts can add up, especially when shopping for a family.
The following are common discounted products and services you might encounter:
- Air Travel
- Automotive & Motorcycles
- Baby & Maternity
- Books & Magazines
- Car Rental
- Clothing & Apparel
- Computers & Electronics
- Cruises
- Dining
- Education
- Grocery
- Hotel & Accommodations
- Movies
- Military Gear & Surplus
- Relocation
- Ski Resorts
- Theme Parks & Attractions
- Timeshares, Vacation Home & Cottage Rentals
- Tools & Hardware
Apart from these, there are also plenty of on-base sport and entertainment facilities.
Although these kind of jobs are mainly seen an responsibility, from the point of view of a serviceman, this job is a beneficial one. In spite of the risks involved, the rewards are fitting and numerous.
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