thedrifter
06-05-07, 08:20 AM
Marching Toward Your Career Goals
Published: June 3, 2007
By Julia Hollister
Recruiting is tougher during times of conflict, so some of the military services are offering very tantalizing incentives to sign up.
Army
"We offer up to $40,000 in signing bonuses, depending on the job," confirms Sgt. David Jones, an Army recruiter in San Francisco. "A young man signed up earlier this week to be a cook and he received a bonus of $22,000."
Jones says he received the same culinary training in the Army as those who spend $48,000 for culinary school.
New recruits can pick their own career if openings are available in that specialty. Many choose support roles in medical, culinary or administrative jobs.
Most enlistees sign up for the minimum service time, which is two years, although you can choose an initial commitment of up to six years. "The longer you stay in the Army, the larger the bonus," Jones emphasizes. "For example, signing a contract for six years could get you a $40,000 bonus. Your salary is both federal and state tax free."
The Army also offers bonuses to enlistees with higher education. Those with a bachelor’s degree automatically qualify for an additional $8000 and begin their service three ranks higher than entry-level personnel.
Some enlistees, seeking adventure and thrills, want to be trained for hazardous duty in special forces or airborne units. Others just want to enhance their education or learn skills for a civilian career.
But whether you hope to specialize in cooking or combat, everyone must first learn to be a soldier. "Everyone, no matter what the job, goes through basic training," Jones points out. "But those who choose combat undergo more rigorous training.
"After basic training, soldiers can request where they would like to be stationed. There is no guarantee, but the Army has bases in the United States as well as Germany, Italy and other foreign sites.
"You may or may not have to go to Iraq," according to Jones. "It depends on the job. However, there is a chance of deployment."
Those with hazardous duty in Iraq or Afghanistan receive an extra $450 a month.
If a soldier is married or has children, he receives an additional $250 each month during periods of family separation.
General qualifications for Army enlistment are: US citizen or permanent resident, 17 to 41 years of age, good physical condition, good moral standing, and a high school diploma or equivalent education.
Marines
The Marines are the smallest branch of the armed services, but they have the most rigorous standards and require the longest commitment from recruits.
"Enlistment in the Marines is four to five years and is based on the training – the longer and more technical the school, the longer the enlistment," explains Gunnery Sgt. Joaquin Castillo. "For example, training in the field of avionics – repairing aircraft electrical components – is only six months."
Other options include mechanical work on diesel engines, aircraft and helicopters; positions in the logistics field transporting equipment or personnel; and ‘desk jobs’ such as administrative and legal specialties.
"One the best things about our branch of the service is that applicants get to choose a career path, it’s not a random assignment," Castillo notes. "If an applicant wants a mechanical job, the odds are good he can get it."
The backbone of the Marines is its infantry, and for recruits who choose that four-year option, the odds of being deployed to a battle zone are very high. Noncombat marines are sent overseas at a lesser rate than combat specialists.
"An incentive bonus of $3000 is given to new recruits," Castillo reports. "The signing bonuses cap out at $10,000."
However, if you are a recruit with even 12 college credits under your belt, you can qualify for promotion to a higher rank earning $275 more a month.
"The men and women we are looking for are those with a desire to go above and beyond their limits," Castillo concludes. "We tell each new Marine that he or she will be pushed hard both physically and mentally, but the experiences and rewards are great.
"Marine recruiters today are doing really well. Unfortunately, with all that’s going on in the world right now, people are just starting to realize the military has more to offer than they thought."
Air Force
New Air Force recruits might be surprised to learn that they are automatically enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force to begin or continue their education.
"This is the largest such facility in the world," explains Lt. Col Donald Hale. "Airmen and women can take classes anywhere, as well as online, and the Air Force pays everything."
Those with an interest in mechanics, electronics and aeronautics should know that the Air Force is getting ready to roll out two new fighters – the F-22 and F-35. With the very latest in avionics, weapons systems and aerospace technology, these state-of-the-art jets will make the need for highly skilled specialists even more crucial.
"We are always looking for young, talented and smart Americans who want to serve their country," Hale emphasizes. "We are always looking for special forces too. This field is something a high school athlete might find challenging."
The Air Force offers no signing bonuses. New recruits that come in with two years of college earn around $1534 a month and those with no college experience earn about $1200 a month.
The destination of new enlistees is job specific. So someone who chooses satellite operations will probably not go to Iraq. But, as Hale points out, all officers and airmen take an oath to defend the constitution and obey the commander in chief. Which means you potentially could be pressed into combat, no matter what your current assignment.
"All the services bring great capacity for growth," he adds. "It’s a great way of life that is both exciting and challenging in these dynamic times."
Ellie
Published: June 3, 2007
By Julia Hollister
Recruiting is tougher during times of conflict, so some of the military services are offering very tantalizing incentives to sign up.
Army
"We offer up to $40,000 in signing bonuses, depending on the job," confirms Sgt. David Jones, an Army recruiter in San Francisco. "A young man signed up earlier this week to be a cook and he received a bonus of $22,000."
Jones says he received the same culinary training in the Army as those who spend $48,000 for culinary school.
New recruits can pick their own career if openings are available in that specialty. Many choose support roles in medical, culinary or administrative jobs.
Most enlistees sign up for the minimum service time, which is two years, although you can choose an initial commitment of up to six years. "The longer you stay in the Army, the larger the bonus," Jones emphasizes. "For example, signing a contract for six years could get you a $40,000 bonus. Your salary is both federal and state tax free."
The Army also offers bonuses to enlistees with higher education. Those with a bachelor’s degree automatically qualify for an additional $8000 and begin their service three ranks higher than entry-level personnel.
Some enlistees, seeking adventure and thrills, want to be trained for hazardous duty in special forces or airborne units. Others just want to enhance their education or learn skills for a civilian career.
But whether you hope to specialize in cooking or combat, everyone must first learn to be a soldier. "Everyone, no matter what the job, goes through basic training," Jones points out. "But those who choose combat undergo more rigorous training.
"After basic training, soldiers can request where they would like to be stationed. There is no guarantee, but the Army has bases in the United States as well as Germany, Italy and other foreign sites.
"You may or may not have to go to Iraq," according to Jones. "It depends on the job. However, there is a chance of deployment."
Those with hazardous duty in Iraq or Afghanistan receive an extra $450 a month.
If a soldier is married or has children, he receives an additional $250 each month during periods of family separation.
General qualifications for Army enlistment are: US citizen or permanent resident, 17 to 41 years of age, good physical condition, good moral standing, and a high school diploma or equivalent education.
Marines
The Marines are the smallest branch of the armed services, but they have the most rigorous standards and require the longest commitment from recruits.
"Enlistment in the Marines is four to five years and is based on the training – the longer and more technical the school, the longer the enlistment," explains Gunnery Sgt. Joaquin Castillo. "For example, training in the field of avionics – repairing aircraft electrical components – is only six months."
Other options include mechanical work on diesel engines, aircraft and helicopters; positions in the logistics field transporting equipment or personnel; and ‘desk jobs’ such as administrative and legal specialties.
"One the best things about our branch of the service is that applicants get to choose a career path, it’s not a random assignment," Castillo notes. "If an applicant wants a mechanical job, the odds are good he can get it."
The backbone of the Marines is its infantry, and for recruits who choose that four-year option, the odds of being deployed to a battle zone are very high. Noncombat marines are sent overseas at a lesser rate than combat specialists.
"An incentive bonus of $3000 is given to new recruits," Castillo reports. "The signing bonuses cap out at $10,000."
However, if you are a recruit with even 12 college credits under your belt, you can qualify for promotion to a higher rank earning $275 more a month.
"The men and women we are looking for are those with a desire to go above and beyond their limits," Castillo concludes. "We tell each new Marine that he or she will be pushed hard both physically and mentally, but the experiences and rewards are great.
"Marine recruiters today are doing really well. Unfortunately, with all that’s going on in the world right now, people are just starting to realize the military has more to offer than they thought."
Air Force
New Air Force recruits might be surprised to learn that they are automatically enrolled in the Community College of the Air Force to begin or continue their education.
"This is the largest such facility in the world," explains Lt. Col Donald Hale. "Airmen and women can take classes anywhere, as well as online, and the Air Force pays everything."
Those with an interest in mechanics, electronics and aeronautics should know that the Air Force is getting ready to roll out two new fighters – the F-22 and F-35. With the very latest in avionics, weapons systems and aerospace technology, these state-of-the-art jets will make the need for highly skilled specialists even more crucial.
"We are always looking for young, talented and smart Americans who want to serve their country," Hale emphasizes. "We are always looking for special forces too. This field is something a high school athlete might find challenging."
The Air Force offers no signing bonuses. New recruits that come in with two years of college earn around $1534 a month and those with no college experience earn about $1200 a month.
The destination of new enlistees is job specific. So someone who chooses satellite operations will probably not go to Iraq. But, as Hale points out, all officers and airmen take an oath to defend the constitution and obey the commander in chief. Which means you potentially could be pressed into combat, no matter what your current assignment.
"All the services bring great capacity for growth," he adds. "It’s a great way of life that is both exciting and challenging in these dynamic times."
Ellie