What kind of person joins the army

Working in the military teaches you many skills ranging from teamwork and communication to technical and analytical skills. Regardless of what military job you choose, you learn many valuable skills you can apply to your next job. If you have a specific civilian career you want to pursue, gaining skills from the military can be a good way to prepare yourself.

Some people join the military because they want for a sense of purpose. Being a part of something bigger than yourself and feeling like you are contributing to something good is a common reason to join the military.

The military provides people with the ability to travel at no cost. Physical stamina and health goals are another reason some people join the service. Working in the military requires you to go through intense physical training. Some people see this as an excellent opportunity to form healthier habits, lose weight or build muscle.

For many people, the military is a pathway to higher education. If you want to get a college education without going into debt, a short-term contract with the military may be the answer.

Not only will tuition be waived, but you may get paid to learn. A career in the military is very stable, which means you can build a savings account while working. The military benefits of free health care, housing stipend and travel expenses can also leave extra room in your budget. Some people join the military because it offers new experiences in unknown places.

The military may be a good career option if you are an active person who wants to travel. There are military installations all over the world.

When you work in the military, you have access to free premium medical coverage for you and your family. Joining the military has the benefit of job security for the length of your contract. Military careers often offer long-term contracts, so you may work confidently for several years at a time.

In the military, you are eligible for retirement after 20 years of service in any branch. This means that those who join the military after high school may retire around the age of 40, which is much younger than the typical retirement age for other jobs. Related: 26 Jobs for Retired Military Officers. Joining the military is a good way to get experience translatable into other areas of your life.

Here are the top 10 reasons why people join the military:. All the above are great reasons to join the military and you may have other reasons as well. Many people have life long benefits from joining a branch of the military.

Consider what you want to be when you enlist. Call to make an appointment to meet face to face. Be persistent. Prepare questions ahead of time. Know what you need to bring and what you want to do in the military before visiting. Anticipate what you will need, such as a Social Security card, birth certificate, other IDs, and high school and college transcripts.

The military will screen you medically, but you may get a waiver if you have had any previous surgeries, broken bones or major illnesses. Know which ailments are disqualifying -- check here for more info. Make copies of your records before submitting them. Learn how to take this test.

Your score on this test can determine where you will live and what you will do in the military. You will undergo a background investigation to ensure there are no disqualifying events in your past. Criminal behavior is a typical disqualifier. Inform the recruiter of any arrests. An omission may be detrimental to progressing further due to a perceived character issue. A successful stint in the military depends heavily on trust. Besides trust, a successful stint in the military relies on discipline.

That discipline starts the minute a recruit arrives at basic training. Accept that all feedback is positive and the key to achieving the personal discipline necessary to succeed in the military. Learning to be led is the most important lesson in learning to lead. Once we get done here, you're going to go to the medical folks. You're going to get a medical brief, and you're going to run through that process, OK? Once the briefing's done, you're going to get an exam. You're going to meet with the physicians, OK?

And you're going to go through that. Once you're done with the medical, you're going to go down to your service liaisons. You're going to sit down with a counselor, and you guys are going to negotiate a job. Once that's complete, you'll come over to the processing section. All right, we'll do what we have to do over there, get you ready to swear in, take the Oath of Enlistment and then we'll set up the transportation to take you home.

Speaker 2: When they do understand the entire process, then we try to make sure that everybody is on the same page, and that if there are any concerns, hopefully then the individual feels comfortable enough to raise them before we get started on the day. That way, they have a nice, smooth process. They know where they're going, where they're coming from, and when they come back to see us, they're in a good mood because they know one more spot is done. Speaker 4: I've tried going to school, I've tried regular jobs and just nothing excited me.

Speaker 5: I've always wanted to join the Military. I went through college, and the, you know, the economy is not the greatest thing right now, but I've always wanted to join. Speaker 6: Family full of Marines. My uncle did 32, my father did 23 and it'll be awesome to join as well, become a part of a brotherhood.

Speaker 5: And you know, I found some opportunities that can be used with my degree, all that kind of stuff, and they offer a lot of gainful things for what I want to do in the future. Speaker 1: We are privileged to have them come into the Military. This is a voluntary service. This is not a draft era, and so it's important to us and to each of my staff to treat those who are interested in serving their country with the respect that they deserve. Narrator: The Military Entrance processing station, or MEPs, is where applicants for military service go to complete the enlistment process.

MEPs ensures that each applicant meets the aptitude, physical and behavioral standards set by the Department of Defense and service branches. The government pays for the accommodations for all military applicants preparing to go through the MEPs process. Hotel staff explain what to expect the following day, including the rules of behavior and a list of prohibited items not allowed in the MEPs. After their briefing, applicants can enjoy hotel facilities and a special applicant rec room where they can hang out, get to know each other, play games and watch TV until p.

Applicants aren't allowed to drink alcohol or leave the hotel, but they can hang out with friends and family and the hotel public areas. The rec room closes at p. They're going to need it. Breakfast is served very early so applicants are ready to board the MEPS bus on time. Be sure to eat a well-balanced breakfast and drink plenty of fluids before departing from the hotel. Your body will need the fuel. It is free and served very early so applicants can make roll call at the MEPs bus at a.

Applicants must wear underwear and neat, moderate, comfortable clothing. Piercings must be removed. Offensive wording or pictures are not tolerated and hats are not permitted inside the MEPs. Prohibited contraband items are not allowed in the MEPs.