Have you ever thought of joining the Military but were unsure? Before committing to this service, there are many things to consider, including the pros and cons, general requirements, which branch, and when and how to join. You are required to:

• Be at least 17 years of age
• Be a U.S. citizen or have a green card
• Speak, read, and write English fluently
• Have a high school or general equivalency diploma (GED)
• Pass given exams (medical, physical, etc..)

Let’s start with the different branches: the Army, Marine Corps, Navy,  Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard.

Army: 

The U.S. Army is responsible for land-based military operations, this includes:

• Protecting the country from foreign and domestic threats
• Participating in ground warfare and combat support (infantry, tanks, artillery, etc..)
• Assisting in peacekeeping and disaster relief

Aside from these hands-on, active duty responsibilities, the Army also:

• Develops new weapons and technologies
• Conduct cyber defense and offense operations
• Provide logistics, intelligence, engineering, and medical support during missions
• Collaborates with other branches and international forces

The Army consists of active-duty soldiers, and the National Guard and Reserves, which provide additional support when needed.

Marine Corps:

The U.S. Marine Corps is a rapid-response force. They focus on naval assaults and ground combat.

• Marines are the first to fight and be deployed in wars and battles
• Marines are trained for direct ground combat and specialized missions like reconnaissance and counter-terrorism
• Marines quickly respond to crises, conflicts, and disasters anywhere in the world
• Marines provide embassy security and lead peacekeeping or stabilization efforts in post-conflict zones
• Elite units (e.g., Marine Raiders) conduct special operations and unconventional warfare
• Marines work closely with the Navy, Army, and Air Force for integrated combat operations

The Marine Corps is known for being highly mobile, ready to deploy quickly, and specializing in quick, decisive action.

Navy:

The Navy is a branch of a country’s armed forces primarily responsible for naval and amphibious warfare. Their role includes:

• Defending U.S. waters and engaging in combat at sea using ships, submarines, and aircraft
• Using aircraft carriers and other ships to project military power globally and respond to conflicts
• Operating nuclear submarines for nuclear deterrence
• Ensuring global shipping routes are safe
• Providing humanitarian aid during disasters
• Protecting sea lanes from piracy, drug trafficking, and other illegal activities
• Operating aircraft for combat, reconnaissance, and support missions
• Working with allied nations for joint operations and peacekeeping

Special forces, like the Navy SEALs, conduct high-risk missions like counter-terrorism and reconnaissance.

The Air Force:

The U.S. Air Force is the branch of the U.S. Armed Forces responsible for defending the country through air, space, and cyberspace power. They focus on:

• Ensuring control over the skies so the U.S. and their allies can operate freely, which involves fighter jets and air dominance missions
• Projecting power anywhere in the world through bombers and missiles
• Providing fast and efficient transportation for personnel, equipment, and supplies
• Gathering information to monitor and assess potential threats, often through drones, spy planes, and satellites
• Protecting the military’s information and cyber infrastructure and conducting offensive cyber operations

The Air Force plays an important role in modern military strategy, where air and space control are often critical to mission success in a variety of operations.

Space Force: 

The U.S. Space Force primarily protects U.S. and allied interests in space. More specifically they:

• Monitor and track objects in space to locate threats, which include tracking satellites, space debris, and potential adversary activity
• Operate and maintain U.S. military satellites, which are essential for communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and surveillance.
• Use satellites to detect missile launches worldwide, especially intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs) that could threaten the U.S. or its allies.
• Secure U.S. assets in space against threats, such as anti-satellite weapons, jamming, and cyberattacks
• Support and oversee the launch of national security payloads, such as spy satellites or other defense-related satellites.

The Space Force’s mission is to ensure that the U.S. maintains strategic advantages in space and protects the infrastructure that relies on it. Their work supports other military branches by enabling global communications, GPS navigation, reconnaissance, and missile defense.

Coast Guard:

The U.S. Coast Guard has a unique role as both a military and law enforcement organization. Operating primarily in U.S. waters and along the coastlines, it focuses on maritime safety and security. Specific roles include:

• Enforcing U.S. laws in the waters within and around the U.S., including combating drug smuggling, illegal immigration, and human trafficking
• Responding to distress calls at sea, saving lives by rescuing stranded or endangered mariners, boaters, and others in U.S. waters
• Enforcing environmental laws to protect marine ecosystems, prevent oil spills, and respond to environmental hazards, like pollution and hazardous waste in the ocean
• Protecting U.S. ports, waterways, and vessels from security threats, including terrorism by conducting regular patrols and inspections
• Operating icebreakers in the Arctic and Antarctic, ensuring access to polar regions, and supporting scientific research
• Maintaining buoys, lighthouses, and navigational markers that help keep waterways safe for commercial and recreational vessels
• Supporting the U.S. Navy during wartime

The Coast Guard is the only military branch that can legally enforce laws on civilians. With its multi-role capacity, the Coast Guard is crucial for maintaining safety and security along U.S. coastlines and in international waters.

Now that you have a basic understanding of each branch, you may be wondering: What are the benefits and consequences of serving? Here are some pros and cons:

Pros

• Educational benefits: The GI Bill provides funding for higher education and vocational training (like in trade school), usually covering full tuition, books, and living expenses. Scholarship opportunities, such as the ROTC program, are also available.
• Job training and career advancement: The military provides hands-on training in a wide range of technical fields (e.g., engineering, cybersecurity, healthcare, etc..) which can be valuable in non-military careers.
• Healthcare and retirement benefits: Active-duty members receive healthcare coverage, and veterans have access to VA healthcare. There are also retirement benefits and pensions available after 20 years of service.
• Discipline and personal development: The military emphasizes discipline, physical fitness, leadership, and resilience. Many people discover that service helps them develop valuable personal and professional skills.
• Stable income and housing allowances: The military provides a steady paycheck, allowances for housing and food, and extra pay for dangerous duties or deployments.
• Veteran status and networking opportunities: Being a veteran can open doors to career opportunities, support networks, and veteran organizations. Many employers value military experience, giving veterans a potential hiring advantage.

Cons

• Extended time away from loved ones: Military personnel are often stationed far from home and may be deployed for months or even years, which can strain relationships and limit time with family and friends.
• Potential for dangerous situation: Serving in the military, especially in active-duty combat, comes with physical risks, including exposure to hazardous environments, which can lead to injury or even death.
• High physical and mental stress: Military life can be both physically and mentally demanding, requiring rigorous training and coping with high-stress situations. Some veterans experience mental health challenges, such as PTSD, after service.
• Loss of personal freedom: Military personnel must obey strict rules and orders, and many personal freedoms, such as where to live or when to take time off, are limited by the chain of command.
• Limited control over career path: Although the military offers a variety of positions, service members may not always get their preferred assignments or career paths due to military needs and availability.
• Adjustment to civilian life after service: Returning to civilian life can be challenging for some veterans, in terms of transitioning, and adjusting to a less structured lifestyle can be difficult.

Whether or not your opinion has been thus far swayed, you may be considering how one would go about joining the military or when one should. Timing is important, but the time you want to join is completely dependent on you. For those thinking of serving after high school, here are the general steps to do so, although they may vary with each branch and the time at which you apply:

1. Meet with a Recruiter

• What: Speak with a recruiter for the branch you’re interested in (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force).
• How: Set up an appointment to discuss career options, benefits, and entry requirements.

2. Take the ASVAB Test

• What: The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) determines the jobs you qualify for in the military.
• How: Schedule the test through your recruiter and prepare/study for it.

3. Choose Your Military Job (MOS/AFSC/Rating)

• What: Based on your ASVAB scores, discuss available job options with your recruiter.
• How: Select a job that aligns with your skills and interests.

4. Pass a Medical Exam at MEPS

• What: The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) assesses your physical and medical fitness for service.
• How: Attend MEPS for medical tests, physical exams, and final paperwork.

5. Take the Oath of Enlistment

• What: Officially swear into the military, committing to your service.
• How: After passing MEPS, take the oath, which finalizes your enlistment.

6. Attend Basic Training

• What: Complete initial military training (boot camp) to learn the basics of military life and skills.
• How: Report to basic training as scheduled for your branch, where you’ll train and adapt to military standards.

This process prepares you for a full-time military career straight out of high school, with no college needed initially.

Another option is serving while in college. Here’s a simplified guide for recent high school graduates wanting to start college while joining the military:

1. ROTC Scholarships

• What: Provides college scholarships in exchange for officer service after graduation.
• How: Apply during senior year or early college, attend an ROTC-affiliated school, and take ROTC courses along with college classes.

2. Enlistment with GI Bill Benefits

• What: Enlist part-time (Reserves/National Guard) or full-time, then use the GI Bill for college.
• How: Enlist after graduation, complete training, and use GI Bill funds to cover tuition, books, and housing while in college.

3. Tuition Assistance (TA) for Active Duty

• What: Pays for most tuition costs for active-duty members taking college classes.
• How: Enlist full-time, apply for TA through your branch, and take courses that fit your service schedule.

4. Split Training in the National Guard/Reserves

• What: Complete basic training, then attend college while fulfilling Guard/Reserve duties.
• How: Enlist, finish basic training, start college, and attend monthly drills and annual training, using GI Bill or state tuition assistance.

5. Service Academies and Military Colleges

• What: Attend a service academy for a free education, with a service commitment.
• How: Apply to a service academy in high school or join a military college with ROTC options.

6. DANTES/CLEP Exams

• What: Earn college credits by passing exams, reducing degree time.
• How: Take free CLEP/DSST exams in subjects you know, then transfer credits to your college.

Getting Started

• Meet with a Recruiter: Discuss career and education goals.
• Apply to ROTC or Enlist: Choose a path, then start using education benefits.
• Plan Classes: Coordinate college with your military schedule using education office support.

These programs offer scholarships, tuition coverage, and college credit options created for military life.

Choosing a career and what to do with your life is one of the hardest decisions you will have to make. If you considered serving in the U.S. Armed Forces or if it is your passion or desire, I hope this article helped put that into perspective. You can find more information and details through official military websites, like https://www.usa.gov/.