Military Planning Guide
Purpose: To have an informative discussion with a group of 11th grade students that are
contemplating entering the military after high school.
MILITARY SERVICE BRANCHES
The U.S. Military consists of five active-duty services and their respective Guard and
Reserve units. All branches are equal parts of the United States Uniformed Services,
headed by the President as Commander-in-Chief. The Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and
Air Force fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense (DoD). The Coast
Guard reports to the Department of Homeland Security during peacetime and to the DoD
(by way of the Navy) during wartime.
Reserve and National Guard units perform as active-duty service members on a part-time
basis. These troops train close to home, deploying when needed to aid in international
conflict or domestic disaster relief.
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Army (Department of Defense)
-Active Duty, Reserve, or Nat’l Guard
Air Force (Department of Defense)
-Active Duty, Reserve, or Nat’l Guard
Navy (Department of Defense)
-Active Duty or Reserve
Marines (Department of Defense)
-Active Duty or Reserve
Coast Guard (DoD & Department of Homeland Seceurity)
-Active Duty or Reserve
Enlisted Service Members
Enlisted service members make up the majority of the Military and perform much
of the hands-on work. To enlist, an individual must be 18 years old, or 17 with
parental consent. He or she must also have graduated from high school, although
a General Education Development (GED) certificate is sometimes acceptable.
Officers
Officers are the managers of the Military, planning and directing operations or
acting in professional roles in fields such as law and medicine. Officers have
generally completed a four-year college degree or greater before serving, though
it is possible to work up through the enlisted ranks and complete officer training
later.
Entrance Requirements
Age Requirements
Each branch of the Service has different requirements. Minimum entrance-age
requirements are 17 with parental consent or 18 without parental consent.
Physical Requirements
Because of the varying physical demands on service members in each branch, physical
requirements vary greatly. These differences can vary even within each branch of the
Service. Generally speaking, potential service members should be in good physical
condition, of appropriate weight, and able to pass a standard physical screening prior to
entry. For more specific information, please contact a recruiter.
Educational Requirements
Success in any branch of the Military depends on a good education, and a high school
diploma is most desirable. Candidates with a GED (General Education Development
certificate) can enlist, but some Services may limit opportunities. It is very difficult to be
considered a serious candidate without either a high school diploma or accepted
alternative credential. In any case, staying in school is important for entering the Military.
Citizenship Requirements
U.S. citizens or Permanent Resident Aliens (people who have an INS I-151/I-551 “Green
Card”) may join the U.S. Military. For more information about citizenship, visit the U.S.
Immigration and Nationalization (INS) web site.
Noncitizens may enlist, but cannot re-enlist (extend their enlistment beyond their first
term of service) unless they become naturalized U.S. citizens. However, after service of
three years, additional residency requirements for citizenship can be waived. The Military
does not assist in the immigration naturalization process.
For enlistment purposes, the United States includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, the Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of
Micronesia, and the Marshall Islands.
Citizens of certain countries may require a waiver to enlist. These include citizens of
countries considered hostile to the interests of the United States. For more specific
information on the current list of hostile countries, or for other specific questions, contact
a recruiter.
Entry Process
Once an individual has talked to a recruiter and made a commitment to serve, he
or she sets a date to visit a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to finish the
enlistment process.
The MEPS is a joint-Service organization that determines an applicant’s physical
qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of Military Service.
There are MEPS locations all over the country. Here are a few things a recruit should
keep in mind for the visit:
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Bring a Social Security card, birth certificate and driver’s license
Remove piercings and do not wear clothing with obscene images
Bring glasses or wear contacts and bring along an eyeglass or contact lens case
and solutions
Get a good night’s sleep and arrive early
Candidates officially complete the process of joining the Military once they meet all of
the requirements at the MEPS. This process usually takes about two days. Food and
lodging are usually provided for candidates.
Step 1: Pass the ASVAB.
With thousands of different jobs for enlisted personnel and officers, there’s a lot
to do in the Military. The ASVAB Career Exploration Program can help young adults
identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations and develop effective strategies to
realize career goals.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is one of the most widely
used, multiple-aptitude tests in the world, developed and maintained by the Department
of Defense. Over half of all high schools nationwide administer the ASVAB test to
students in grades 10, 11, and 12 (sophomores cannot use their scores for enlistment
eligibility). Students may also take the test at another school or through a recruiter and
may retake the test at any time.
The ASVAB consists of the following eight individual tests.
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General Science
Arithmetic Reasoning
Word Knowledge
Paragraph Comprehension
Mathematics Knowledge
Electronics Information
Auto and Shop Information
Mechanical Comprehension
Students are provided with scores on each of these individual tests and three Career
Exploration Score composites: Verbal Skills, Math Skills, and Science and Technical
Skills. The battery takes approximately three hours to complete and test results are
returned to schools in about two weeks.
The Military uses students’ ASVAB scores to identify the occupations that best suit their
abilities. Junior, senior, and postsecondary school students can use their ASVAB scores
for enlistment for up to two years after taking the test.
Step 2: Pass the physical examination. Examinations include:
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Height and weight measurements
Hearing and vision examinations
Urine and blood tests
Drug and alcohol tests
Muscle group and joint maneuvers
Specialized test if required (pregnancy test for women, body fat percentage test
for those who are overweight, tests relating to any unusual medical history)
Step 3: Determine a career. A few different factors contribute to career selection:
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Needs of the Service
Job availability
ASVAB score
Physical requirements (for example, a recruit needs normal color vision for some
careers)
Recruit preference
For a list of career choices: http://www.todaysmilitary.com/careers/career-fields
Step 4: Take the oath of enlistment.
Step 5: Direct Ship – The recruit reports to Basic Training between two days and two
months after completing MEPS testing requirements. (It varies based on job assignment
and branch.) A recruiter will provide instructions on transportation to Basic Training at
this time.
Delayed Entry Program (DEP) – The recruit commits to Basic Training at a
time in the future, generally within one year. This is especially popular with recruits who
enlist before completing high school. Recruits enrolled in DEP may return to their homes
until the time comes to report for duty.
Boot Camp
Basic Training – often called boot camp – prepares recruits for all elements of Service:
physical, mental, and emotional. It gives service members the basic tools necessary to
perform the roles that will be asked of them for the duration of their tour. Each of the
Services has its own training program, tailoring the curriculum to the specialized nature
of its role in the Military.
No matter which branch of the Service a recruit chooses, Basic Training is an intense
experience. However, most people (up to 91 percent) who start boot camp complete it
without problems. The purpose of this training isn’t to “break” recruits. In fact, the
combination of physical training, field exercises, and classroom time makes individuals
strong and capable. It’s a tough process, but a rewarding one that many service members
value for life.
Army
Marine Corps
Basic Combat
Recruit Training
Training
Navy
Boot Camp
Air Force
Recruit
Training
Coast Guard
Recruit Training
Duration:
Duration:
Duration:
Duration:
Duration:
9 weeks
12 weeks
8 weeks
8.5 weeks
8 weeks
Locations:
Locations:
Locations:
Locations:
Locations:
Great Lakes
Recruit
Training Depot
Great Lakes,
Illinois
Lackland Air
Force Base
San Antonio,
Texas
Cape May Coast
Guard Training
Center
Cape May, New
Jersey
Fort Benning Marine Corps
Fort Benning, Recruit Depot,
Georgia
Parris Island
Parris Island,
Fort Jackson South Carolina
Columbia,
South Carolina Marine Corps
Recruit Depot,
San Diego
Fort Knox
San Diego,
Louisville,
California
Kentucky
Fort Leonard
Wood
Waynesville,
Missouri
Fort Sill
Lawton,
Oklahoma
OTHER THINGS TO BE FAMILIAR WITH:
ROTC
Founded in 1926, ROTC stands for Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. It’s a college
program offered at over 1000 colleges and universities across the United States that
prepares young adults to become officers in the U.S. Military. In exchange for a paid
college education and a guaranteed post-college career, cadets commit to serve in the
Military after graduation. Each Service branch has its own take on ROTC.
Officer Candidate School (OCS), known as Officer Training School (OTS) in the Air
Force, is essentially the equivalent of enlisted Basic Training for those interested in
becoming officers. There are three types of people who attend OCS/OTS:
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Graduates from a traditional four-year college or university
Enlisted service members transitioning into officer roles
Direct Commission Officers (DCOs) with specialized skills or professional
degrees
While duration and type of training varies among the Services, all teach military subjects,
leadership skills and physical training. The goal is to prepare recruits for the challenges
of officer life, from managing others to understanding military culture and law. You can
learn more about specific programs and classes by visiting the Service-specific websites
listed in the table below.
Marine Corps
Officer Candidate
School
Duration:
Duration:
12 weeks
12 weeks
Rank upon
Rank upon
Graduation:
Graduation:
Second Lieutenant Second Lieutenant
Location:
Location:
Fort
Marine Corps Base
Benning
Quantico
Fort Benning, Ga. Quantico, Va.
Army Officer
Candidate School
Navy Officer
Air Force Officer Coast Guard Officer
Candidate School Training School
Candidate School
Duration:
12 weeks
Rank upon
Graduation:
Ensign
Location:
Naval Station
Newport
Newport, R.I.
Duration:
13.5 weeks
Rank upon
Graduation:
Second Lieutenant
Location:
Maxwell-Gunter Air
Force Base
Montgomery, Ala.
Duration:
17 weeks
Rank upon
Graduation:
Ensign
Location:
Coast Guard
Academy
New London, Conn
Military Academies and Colleges: For students who would like to experience a
military environment while getting a first-class education, the four Service academies –
the U.S. Military Academy (Army) in West Point, N.Y.; the U.S. Naval Academy
(Navy/Marine Corps) in Annapolis, Md.; the U.S. Air Force Academy (Air Force) in
Colorado Springs, Colo.; and the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (Coast Guard) in New
London, Conn. – offer an outstanding education and full four-year scholarships. Tuition,
books, board, and medical and dental care are all fully paid for all four years. The
competition to get in is fierce. Admissions criteria include:
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High school academic performance
Standardized test scores (SAT or ACT)
Athletics and extracurricular activities
Leadership experience and community involvement
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A congressional letter of recommendation (not required by the Coast Guard
Academy)
Graduates of all four academies receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are
commissioned as officers in their respective Service branch. In all cases, there is a service
obligation of a minimum of five years.
Benefits of joining the military
Top-notch training and career opportunities are just the beginning of the benefits that
come with military service. In addition to base pay, service members receive full medical
coverage, tuition support, and many discounts. Plus, military service members are some
of the most well-traveled people on earth, crossing the globe for business and pleasure.
So if you think benefits are only about the numbers on your paycheck, prepare to be
pleasantly surprised.
Compensation- Explore options and get an idea of the kind of money you can make in a
military career.
Tuition Support- Since the GI Bill was enacted during WWII, money for college has been
an important part of military benefits.
Tuition Assistance: The rising cost of tuition can be hard to manage, but the
Military’s Tuition Assistance Program pays for up to 100 percent of the cost of
tuition or expenses, up to a maximum of $250 per credit and a personal maximum
of $4,500 per fiscal year per student. This program is the same for full-time-duty
members in all Military Services. Selected Reserve and National Guard units also
offer Tuition Assistance Programs, although the benefits may vary from the
Active Duty program.
Loan Repayment Programs: May be different for each military branch.
Training- Professional training – from class work to field exercises to digital simulators –
is available for hundreds of military jobs, many with civilian equivalents.
World Travel- With installations all over the world, the Military provides many chances
to explore new regions and cultures.
Discounts- From the stores on base to movie theaters and airlines, service members
receive discounts on all kinds of products and services.
http://www.todaysmilitary.com
Rina Duggan