6 answers
Colton
Student
Pleasant Valley, New York
1
Question
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What are the benefits of enlisting
what are the steps to enlist or the steps to enlisting when I get out of college.
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6 answers
Moses Ocampo
Marine
30
Answers
Shafter, California
Updated
Moses’s Answer
Hi there,
There many good reasons as too why you should enlist, I'll give you mine. I initially enlisted because it was a faster process too leave my home which was major factor into why I wanted to leave, as well as the foundational benefits that came with being an enlisted. You learn and are forced to grow up a lot faster since much more is expected of you than just being a robotic yes-man. On top of this, I simply didn't want to deal with school debt and have it looming over my life since I couldn't already afford.
Hope this helps!
There many good reasons as too why you should enlist, I'll give you mine. I initially enlisted because it was a faster process too leave my home which was major factor into why I wanted to leave, as well as the foundational benefits that came with being an enlisted. You learn and are forced to grow up a lot faster since much more is expected of you than just being a robotic yes-man. On top of this, I simply didn't want to deal with school debt and have it looming over my life since I couldn't already afford.
Hope this helps!
Shawna Adelman
Engineer III Specialist-Network Operations
2
Answers
Sullivan, Missouri
Updated
Shawna’s Answer
Enlisting benefited me in several ways. The ASVAB tests several different areas and I tested high in areas I would not have looked into outside of the military. I was able to see what jobs were available and made an informed decision on what career field I wanted to do once I got out. Honestly once I was in I had planned to retire from the Army but life happens and plans change. My decision in my MOS gave me great OTJ training that transitioned to civilian jobs without a degree. If you have a degree the job experience will give you an advantage when you enter the civilian job market. The leadership skills you learn in the service are extremely beneficial. You will build a huge network and when your brothers and sisters enter their civilian careers you will find a broad network across so many different fields. I would also say look into commissioning as an officer when you have a college degree. Look for a field that you want experience in when you are no longer in the service.
Dan Wolf
Retired Electrical/Software Engineer and part-time College Professor (BSEET and MS Engineering Management)
129
Answers
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Updated
Dan’s Answer
To answer your specific question: contact your local military recruiter (USAF, Army, Marines, or Navy).
I went into the military when I graduated from High School. I didn't pay attention in High School so I had no skills except for an interest in electricity and electronics (I didn't even know what engineering really was). I didn't fully realize it at the time but I did not have a decent chance of earning an acceptable salary at the age of 18.
For four years, the USAF provided a salary, housing, medical benefits, electronics training, and enough structure that I was financially comfortable while I matured enough to realize that I had to have some plans for my life. I was not satisfied with my USAF job because it required me to go to remote USAF based every other year so that drove me to end my enlistment after my four-year commitment. At the age of 22, I now knew that I needed to earn a college degree in order to earn enough salary to support a family. But now I had the GI Bill which paid me a monthly allowance to earn a college engineering degree (I had also taken some free college classes while enlisted). A couple of years later, I earned a four-year engineering degree and went on to a successful career in industry that provided regular vacations, medical benefits, retirement benefits and a very exciting and stable career (I retired at age 59).
I am fond of saying that the best thing that I ever did was get out of the service but the second best thing I ever did was to go into the military.
Some other advantages:
1) If you stay in the military for 20 years (could be at age 38 if you enlist at age 18), you get a pension and medical benefits for the rest of your life.
2) I lived in Denver, Colorado, North Carolina, and The Netherlands. While living in the Netherlands, I visited Germany, Belgium and England. Seeing the rest of the world is a good thing!
3) If you already have a college degree, you should be able to enlist as an officer rather than an enlisted (non-commissioned) with higher salary, benefits, and responsibility.
Final comment:
I enlisted with a guaranteed electronics career which meant my USAF job had to be in electronics however it could be any job that the USAF considered electronics. They provided me electronics training then assigned me to missile maintenance where I was only able to run automated tests (no technical value) and was not allowed to actually fix the electronics because they were all under permanent warranty. The better option (had I known) was to enlist with a guaranteed specific job rather than a more generic electronic career field.
I went into the military when I graduated from High School. I didn't pay attention in High School so I had no skills except for an interest in electricity and electronics (I didn't even know what engineering really was). I didn't fully realize it at the time but I did not have a decent chance of earning an acceptable salary at the age of 18.
For four years, the USAF provided a salary, housing, medical benefits, electronics training, and enough structure that I was financially comfortable while I matured enough to realize that I had to have some plans for my life. I was not satisfied with my USAF job because it required me to go to remote USAF based every other year so that drove me to end my enlistment after my four-year commitment. At the age of 22, I now knew that I needed to earn a college degree in order to earn enough salary to support a family. But now I had the GI Bill which paid me a monthly allowance to earn a college engineering degree (I had also taken some free college classes while enlisted). A couple of years later, I earned a four-year engineering degree and went on to a successful career in industry that provided regular vacations, medical benefits, retirement benefits and a very exciting and stable career (I retired at age 59).
I am fond of saying that the best thing that I ever did was get out of the service but the second best thing I ever did was to go into the military.
Some other advantages:
1) If you stay in the military for 20 years (could be at age 38 if you enlist at age 18), you get a pension and medical benefits for the rest of your life.
2) I lived in Denver, Colorado, North Carolina, and The Netherlands. While living in the Netherlands, I visited Germany, Belgium and England. Seeing the rest of the world is a good thing!
3) If you already have a college degree, you should be able to enlist as an officer rather than an enlisted (non-commissioned) with higher salary, benefits, and responsibility.
Final comment:
I enlisted with a guaranteed electronics career which meant my USAF job had to be in electronics however it could be any job that the USAF considered electronics. They provided me electronics training then assigned me to missile maintenance where I was only able to run automated tests (no technical value) and was not allowed to actually fix the electronics because they were all under permanent warranty. The better option (had I known) was to enlist with a guaranteed specific job rather than a more generic electronic career field.
This was super helpful, thank you!
Colton
Joshua Marrero
Sr. Analyst Commissions
2
Answers
Pensacola, Florida
Updated
Joshua’s Answer
Benefits of enlisting also depend on what are you looking to get out of the experience? If you just want to serve your country that is fine too, but do you want to gain experience, a brotherhood, lifelong friendships, the ability to travel around the world, gain an education... Enlisting in the service has many benefits and opportunities for everyone. It will also prepare you and set you up with a multitude of different job experiences that you can transfer to when you decide to separate from service as well.
James Hanzel
Corrections and Security
236
Answers
Cape Coral, Florida
Updated
James’s Answer
Hello there! I will give you my reasons for enlisting in the Marine Corps. The first one was education. I didn't want to have to rely on my parents to pay for my tuition. I didn't want to have the cloud of debt hanging over my head. I wanted to be financially independent. The Marine Corps gave me this opportunity. Another reason was the prospect of becoming a Marine Security Guard. This job gets to guard Diplomatic Missions overseas. This opportunity presented the prospect of travel and working halfway across the world. These are just a couple of the benefits that convinced me to join. Each branch is different, and those might not be enough for you,
ANDI SANDEN
AZ2, US NAVY
47
Answers
Jacksonville, Florida
Updated
ANDI’s Answer
Steps include contacting local recruiting stations, ASVAB testing, background checks, and medical exams, varying based on age and branch.
Benefits include housing allowances, life insurance, and free healthcare for active duty, with free or low cost healthcare also available for active duty dependents.
Military moves are also paid by the government, and meal facilities and/or allowances are provided for active duty.
I am unsure how these benefits vary for reserve personnel.
Benefits include housing allowances, life insurance, and free healthcare for active duty, with free or low cost healthcare also available for active duty dependents.
Military moves are also paid by the government, and meal facilities and/or allowances are provided for active duty.
I am unsure how these benefits vary for reserve personnel.