If you want to serve your country, joining the army is one of the best options. The US Army is one of the five branches of the Armed Forces. It is a strategic instrument that is used to serve the country really well, especially against any enemies.
As a soldier, you will enable America to fulfill its leadership responsibilities in the world and safeguard its national interests. This includes preventing calamities, making the world a safer place, and ensuring that you defend the country at all times.
So, in this review, we will tell you how you can join the army, and why you should do it. Joining the Army remains to be one of the best ways that anyone can show patriotism and solidarity to their country. Let’s get started.
Qualifications For Joining The Army
- You must be either a US citizen or an alien with residence status.
- Must be aged between 17 and 34 years of age. If you are 17 years old, you will need parental consent.
- You must have a high school diploma.
- You must not have more than two dependents.
- You must have taken and passed the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery Test – ASVAB.
- You must have passed the military entrance processing medical station exam.
What Are The Benefits Of Joining The US Army?
There are many benefits to being in the US Army, which is usually one of the main reasons why most people join. Here are some of the key benefits.
A Steady Income
The Army pays its employees twice a month. On the 1st day of the month and the 15th day. This is usually based on your services requirements and pay grade. However, you are guaranteed to have a steady paycheck.
Paid Vacation
You will get to earn 2.5 days each month of paid vacation, which amounts to around 30 days each year. You can even push it to almost 60 days.
Advancements
This is one job with the most potential for promotions. They happen all the time based on your performance, job knowledge, services requirements, and time in your pay grade.
Training
You get to choose the career path you want to take based on your aptitude, security clearance, physical abilities, determination, and motivation. All the specialties are also open to women and this includes combat roles as well.
Healthcare
When you are in active-duty, you will receive a complete dental and medical coverage at no cost at all. This is a huge saving as medical can be quite expensive.
Life Insurance
All active-duty members can select up to $20,000 of term life insurance for a payment of only $18 a month.
Tuition Assistance
When you are on active-duty, you can continue with your education as you wish. When doing this, the Army will pay for all costs.
What Bonuses Do You Qualify For?
The Army offers many bonuses that add up to around $40,000 when on active-duty and up to $20,000 for Army Reserve. These amounts and their eligibility depends on your ASVAB score, MOS choice, and educational level.
They, however, keep changing depending on the needs of the service.
How Do You Sign Up?
These are the steps to the basic application and sign-up process.
- You must know the basic application requirements for a nomination.
- You must complete the candidate questionnaire.
- You must complete the candidate kit.
- You must secure a nomination from a congressman or any other authority after you complete the application.
Some other requirements include not being pregnant, or legally obligated to support a baby, you must have an above-average college or high school record.
Additionally, you must be physically and mentally fit, pass the medical exam, have endurance, agility, above-average strength, and excel in the USMA physical aptitude test.
What Does Officer Candidate School Mean?
You may have heard of this, and wondered what it means. Well, OCS is another way you can use to become an officer with the Army.
When you complete the basic combat training, you can then go on to participate in rigorous training for 14 weeks, followed by an Officer Basic Course.
How Can You Qualify For OCS?
To qualify, you must have a university degree before joining the Army. The only exception to this rule are people who are already enlisted soldiers and are on active-duty.
You must have been trained by the Army to manage and lead. You have the option to leave the Army if you are not an officer yet. Requirements include the following.
- 19 years up to 29 years.
- A college graduate.
- Good physical condition and healthy.
- Good moral standing.
Also Read: Jobs to Apply for at an Army Recruiting Office
Conclusion
Being in the Army is one of the most fulfilling careers that you can ever do. Although it comes with a whole host of risks, nothing beats that feeling of having fought and protected your country. Learn more on the official Army website today!
