Is a military career right for you

Is a Military Career Right for Yo= u?

One of the many post-secondary choices= is a career in the armed services. There are five branches of t= he U.S. Military: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. Each of the military branches involves the armed defense of our count= ry and requires a specified period of commitment.

In spite of the risks and requirements involved in joining the military, there are many benefits. The most important of these are the opportunities for career training. Others include steady income, health care, a= nd tuition assistance for continuing your education.

What are some benefits of joining the military?

Steady Income: You are paid twice a month, on the 1st = and 15th, every month, based on your pay grade and service requirements.

Advancement:&= nbsp; You are promoted based on job knowledge, your performance, time in pay grade and service requirements.

Paid vacation: You earn 2.5 days paid vacation per month for a total = of 30 days each year up to 60 days.

Training:&nbs= p; You choose your career path based on your aptitude, physical abilities, securi= ty clearance, motivation and determination.

Health Care:&= nbsp; While on active duty, you will receive complete medical and dental car= e at no cost.

Life Insurance: While serving on active duty (for instance during boot camp and annual training) members can select inexpensive te= rm life insurance.

Allowances:&n= bsp; While serving on active duty, you will receive additional tax-free money f= or Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS), if government food facilities are n= ot available in the area you are stationed; and a uniform allowance (for enli= sted personnel only) to help maintain your uniform.

Tax Advantage: Only your basic monthly pay is subject to Federal or = State income tax.

GI Bill: = ; The Montgomery GI Bill will help pay for college education or vocational training.

Tuition Assistance: While in the Reserves or Guard, you may continue your education, and may be helped in defraying the cost of college-accredited courses. Additionally, if you are in the National Guard some states = offer substantial benefits such as free tuition to state colleges or universities. To find out more on this bonus, talk to you recruiter = or education officer.

Additional Benefits: There are exchange and commissary privileges, temporary lodging expenses, travel, Veterans Administration home loans and more.

Basic requirements for joining the military:

Before you visit your local recruiter, be sure you me= et the minimum qualifications for serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Some qualifications are required by all five services:

3D"*" = ; You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.

3D"*" = ; You must be at least 17 years old (17-year old applicants require parental consent).

3D"*" = ; You must (with very few exceptions) have a high school diploma.

3D"*" = ; You must pass a physical medical exam.

3D"*" = ; You must pass the ASVAB test (Armed Services Voc= ational Aptitude Battery).

To join the...	You must:
Air Force	 Be between the ages of 17-27. *  Have no more than two dependents. ᠒= 3; Pass the Armed Services Vocatio= nal Aptitude test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 36)
Army	 Be between the ages of 17-42. *  Have no more than two dependents. ᠒= 3; Pass the Armed Services Vocatio= nal Aptitude test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 31)
National Guard	 Be between the ages of 17-42. *  Have no more than two dependents. ᠒= 3; Pass the Armed Services Vocatio= nal Aptitude test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 31)
Coast Guard	 Be between the ages of 17-27. *  Have no more than two dependents. ᠒= 3; Pass the Armed Services Vocatio= nal Aptitude test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 36)  Have a willingness to serve on or around the water.
Marines	 Meet exacting physical, mental, and moral standards.  Be between the ages of 17-29. * ᠒= 3; Pass the Armed Services Vocatio= nal Aptitude Battery test. (Minimum AFQT = Score: 31) ᠒= 3; Women are eligible to enlist in= all occupations with exception of combat arms specialties: infantry, tank and amphibian tractor crew members.
Navy	 Be between the ages of 17-34. * ᠒= 3; Pass the Armed Services Vocatio= nal Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. (Minim= um AFQT Score: 35) ᠒= 3; Women are eligible to enlist in= all occupational fields, with the exception of serving in the Navy SEALs or = on submarines.

* 17-year old applicants require parental consent.

What is the ASVAB?

The A= SVAB is the most widely used multiple aptitude test battery in the world, develope= d and maintained by the Department of Defense. Over half of all high schools nationwide participate in ASVAB testing. The ASVAB consists of the followi= ng eight individual tests:

= Word Knowledge
= Paragraph Comprehension
= Mathematics Knowledge
= Arithmetic Reasoning
= General Science
= Mechanical Comprehension
= Electronics Information
= Auto and Shop Information

Students are provided with scores on each of these individual tests and th= ree Career Exploration Score composites: Verbal Skills, Math Skills, and Scien= ce and Technical Skills. The battery takes approximately three hours to compl= ete and test results are returned to schools in about two weeks. See www.baseops.net/milita= rybooks/asvab and www.military.com/ASVAB f= or additional information about the ASVAB test and for free practice tests.

What career opportunities available through the milit= ary

http://www.iseek.org/sv/Careers?id=3D12110:00

Brief information on the branches of the military plu= s contact info

http://= www.iseek.org/sv/10013.jsp

Career paths in the military

http://= www.iseek.org/sv/10014.jsp

Glossary of military terms

http://= www.iseek.org/sv/10017.jsp

Misc web sites about careers in the military

http://w= ww.khake.com/page33.html (extensive information on all thi= ngs military)

http://www.saludos.com/fields/military.html (from an Hispanic employment site= )

Want to know more? Speak to a recruiter

Army = ; &= nbsp; 1= -800-USA ARMY

Army National Guard <= /span>1-800-GO GUARD

Navy = ; &= nbsp; 1= -800-USA NAVY

Air Force = &n= bsp; 1-800-423 USAF

Marine Corps &nb= sp; 1-800-MARINES

Coast Guard &nbs= p; = 1-800-424-8883