The U.S. Military is not an easy job on families. If you are contemplating a career in the military, you might need a list of National Guard Pros and Cons. Housing is covered during your time on assignment and stipends exist upon returning home. The average number of recruits for a fiscal year is nearly 70,000. However, joining the U.S. Army may be one of the greatest decisions you ever make as there are many benefits to enlisting. OMK provides resources and content to young adults who are thinking about joining the US Armed Forces, but don’t know where to begin. The Army has an outstanding tradition in the United States. Pros: 1. What is even better is that a check will always show up in your account. 5. Bible Commentary Bible Verses Devotionals Faith Prayers Coloring Pages Pros and Cons, 14 Most Notable Pros and Cons of Selective Breeding, 9 Important Pros and Cons of the War on Drugs, 18 Strong Prayers for a New Place to Live, Having Done All to Stand Meaning and Meditation, A Good Name Is Better than Riches Meaning and Meditation, 50 Compelling Bible Scriptures on Direction, Proverbs 11:14 Meaning of Lack of Guidance, Matthew 6:26 Meaning of Look at the Birds of the Air, 10 Powerful Prayers for Someone Who Has Hurt You. The pressure starts at boot camp and carries on into service. Though joining the Army does not guarantee you of becoming some kind of a millionaire, it does give you the pleasure … 3. There are some cons of joining the military as well. When you commit, you commit. What is even worse is that one person’s mistake will get everyone in the unit in trouble. An Opportunity to Serve. In addition to providing pros and cons for each branch, this article also includes a discussion about enlisting versus taking an officer commission to … 6. Free college: If you can’t afford college fees, you can join the army … After a careful review it should hopefully make clear if a life in the U.S. Army is for you. How To Choose The Right Military Branch For You, Army MOS List: A List Of All 159 Army Jobs, 10 Benefits Of Being A Military Wife (and 5 not-so good things), Army Promotion Timeline for Enlisted & Officers, Army Aircraft Powertrain Repairer (MOS 15D). All Rights Reserved. As is the opportunity to serve the United States. It is part of your commitment to the U.S. Army. The GI Bill also allows you to take advantage of free tuition once you finish your active duty. The Post 9/11 G.I. Deciding Which Military Service to Join. When it comes to health care, the military has you covered. Ranking greatly matters in military service Even if you joined later in life, you would still start at the bottom rank, which means someone 5 years your junior could rank higher than you and would have the right to tell you crap as long as it is a lawful order. You will also be given clothing allowance which you are supposed to use for your uniforms. There is no “two weeks notice” you can give a superior. Bill is available after you leave the service. Whichever your motivation is, there are plenty of job opportunities the Army has to offer. Free rent and utilities If your pay grade is high enough and/or you are married, you can live off the government’s dime. Rest assured joining the U.S. Army is a serious commitment and sacrifice. There is nothing more patriotic than being enlisted in the Armed Forces. If you want to fly for free, sign up for the nearest MAC flight and reach your destination without paying a dime. An E-1 that is just coming into the army … Everyone will pay for the consequences. It also supports specialized career opportunities in service. Service is often a family tradition. But because everything you need will be provided for the allowance would be just that – an allowance. As long as you survive any accident or incident, you will be fixed for free. Being in special operations is probably the best, but even if you’re only assigned at the galley, you would still get training that would prove useful to you in the future. If you are enlisting in any branch of the U.S. Military, expect to get tested physically and mentally more than you have ever experienced. The sheer amount of places you will visit in the U.S. Army would cost thousands of dollars to do so if you spent money out of your own pocket. Enter your email address to subscribe to OMK and receive notifications of new posts by email. Bill. I only wished I had joined when I was 18 instead of 19. Additionally, there's always a chance of physical or emotional damage from service work. People who enlist knows what they’re up against and what they can expect, still they offer their lives for selfless service. Along with a patriotic duty to serve, the U.S. Army has also assisted many to find a purpose in their life. 38 days is more than many get in Civvy Street, so it might work out better than your friends. The G.I. As an added bonus, you’ll l… This is excellent for those who do not want to accrue student loans and for those who do not have the financial means. Joining the army is one of the honorable things that anyone can do, but the cost of serving your country can be very expensive. So you do not have to pursue a student loan to support your studies and life. After the U.S. Marines, usually the first to go into a dangerous situation is the U.S. Army. The Cons of Joining the Military. There are several different branches of the United States Military, but often the first one that comes to mind to the general public is the U.S. Army. We may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site. Joining the Army Pros Joining the Army Cons; Joining the army can improve your confidence: Joining the army can lead to mental issues: Joining the military can let you grow in character: Joining the army can be dangerous: You can meet like-minded people: Joining the military … Elie Piha served as a paratrooper in the US Army from 2008 to 2012. The person serving not only struggles with these demands, but the rest of the family as well. This may be a no brainer, but it needs to be said anyway. The army is by far the largest branch of the military in the United States and accepts almost anybody into service. In the Army you only get a few days paid leave a year, as a private you get 38 days, as an officer it is 30. So there you go, the biggest pros and cons of being in the military, according to me. This excludes the free leave days that you can use when you go house hunting at your new duty station. Joining the army is not for everyone and if you’re thinking of joining, consider these pros and cons before making your final decision. Notify me of follow-up comments by email. Like any branch of the military, there are major pros and cons associated with joining. There is a ranking order and soldiers with more clout get to make the rules (obviously within reason). Not seeing loved ones for months or years on end can drive anyone crazy, especially when communication opportunities are scarce. When veterans pass on the streets they wear their stripes proudly and with colors. Advertiser Disclosure: This site may be compensated through the advertiser affiliate program (at no cost to you). Opportunity to travel Military stations are found all over the world, so being assigned to all of them is a travel opportunity that you can enjoy for free. 5 Pros of Joining U.S. Army 5. What Was Your Primary Reason For Joining The Military. The Armed Forces is no democracy. Cons of Joining the Military: Joining the military is a serious commitment that can't easily be broken. In 2010, the US military is an all-volunteer force of over 2 million men and women. There are some service members today that are fifth-generation military that are working to protect our country. Different training opportunities The level of training you receive will depend on your job in the military. This is especially true if you are treated in the middle of a battle. Hopefully if you are thinking about joining the military … 4. This is … You have an opportunity to follow in the path of your parents, grandparents, and more when you join this branch of the military. You will develop a special bond with other soldiers that is impossible to replicate elsewhere. Thus, in addition to the numerous other benefits of serving in the military, the opportunity literally gives you a chance to see the world. If you haven’t paid for health insurance through a civilian employer before, you’re about to see how expensive it can get. It's possible to enroll in online classes or attend classes during off-duty hours. Sure, you might be assigned in war zones, but being on the other side of the world would still be an adventure. One disadvantage of joining the Army Reserve is the possibility that your unit will be ordered to deploy. If you get your degree when you are on active duty, once yo… It could involve getting stationed in a war conflict zone, or other dangerous area. The Armed Forces offers several benefits as well as some disadvantages to consider. The Army is often an American family tradition. Children grow up so fast, if you are on a 9 month tour with only a few days leave here and there, you are going to miss crucial moments in their development. In addition to steady, reliable pay – soldiers also receive a number of terrific benefits since it’s a government job. However, others … Besides, being in the military as one of your work experience would look great on your job application. Standardized rules Rules in the army apply to everyone, regardless of race, color disability and whatnot. This is a maximum, and only given if you’re not living on base or don’t have access to the chow hall. Bill that was passed post 9/11 specifies that your education will be paid for while you are on active duty. Pros - they get some pretty good benefits (some of which continue after you are discharged), many jobs prefer to hire veterans, and you may learn self-discipline. It’s a brave career choice and not everyone can … The same goes for the Food allowance. Even stati… While a regular employee gets 16 days paid holidays, people in the army enjoys 30 days of paid vacation annually. Related Article: 10 Benefits Of Being A Military Wife (and 5 not-so good things). Here are some of the pros and cons. 2. For me, the pros far out weigh the cons and I am glad that I chose to join the military. You’ll still pay monthly premiums, but the cost is lower with monthly payments for a single member averaging $50 and family plans ringing in around $200. You’ll go from paying next to nothing as an active duty service member to paying quite a bit in monthly insurance premiums. You hear it often but it bears repeating. See our article on Army ranks and pay here. Your “office” might move from one location to another, but you will always have a job to look forward to. Despite the risks, the number of volunteers and people who enlist is anything but dwindling. Though the U.S. Army will do its best to station soldiers based on requests it is no guarantee, especially if you are new to the service. The military will pay the entire cost of tuition for an enlisted soldier, regardless of rank. 25 Main Pros and Cons of joining The Army. In addition to being able to get disciplined and not talk back, new enlistees should also expect a lack of privacy and some uncomfortable living standards – depending on where deployed. Like a police office or firefighter, the job requires hours, weeks, or months away from family. Even after you leave the military that bond will last forever. The air force is another branch of the US military that many people are eyeing. An opportunity to carry on the tradition of being in the U.S. military is very important for some adults. Learn more about the pros and cons of joining the Army, including daily life, pay, and more. Under the circumstances, getting what you paid for is bad. It offers guaranteed paycheck and free utilities. While frats and sororities, as well as other clubs, may claim a “true family bond” none really does it as well as the U.S. Army. Many have direct relatives, or close friends that have served. Although you receive full-time pay and benefits during your deployment, you must take a leave from your civilian job and be separated from your family for the length of the deployment. Pros of a Family Joining the Military When you think of joining the military with a family, being away from them is typically one of the first things that comes to mind. It helps pay for college … Though joining the military is far from the highest paying job when you consider that basic pay starts in the low $30,000 that is a lot more money than your typical early 20-year old would make elsewhere. In a time of war the U.S. Army is often on the ground, more prone to attacks then other branches like the U.S. Navy or U.S. Air Force. 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