The armed forces are the government sponsored defense, fighting forces, and organizations. They exist to further the foreign and domestic policies of their governing body.
I have been affiliated with every branch of the armed forces in some way my entire life. My father was in the Navy and served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He retired lieutenant commander with 26 years of service. My step-father was a Marine and retired a Colonel with 28 years of service. My husband is active duty Air Force and my brother is active duty Army.
When you decide you want to serve your country by joining the military, there are several things to consider about which branch to join. It may be that you want to join a certain branch because a relative was in or a friend. Or maybe one branch has something more to offer you then another. Here are some facts about each branch to help you determine which to join.
I must admit I am partial because my husband is in the Air Force. Just to forewarn you that I am a little biased.
The United States Air Force or USAF is considered the aerial warfare branch of the armed forces. The Air Force was a part of the Army (then Army-Air Force) until September 18, 1947 when it became its own branch.
Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) is 6 ½ weeks long and takes place at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas. By October 2007, BMT will be 8 weeks long. After you have completed BMT you will move on to your Technical School for which ever job you qualified for and selected. Tech school lengths and locations can vary.
The Air Force is only offering sign up bonuses for a small selection of jobs as they are going through Reduction-in-Force (RIF) at this time. This is going to cut down the number of trainees they take in and also cutting some active duty members out. You need to achieve a certain score on your Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to be excepted into the Air Force.
When most people think of the Air Force, they think they are all pilots. That is a misconception. Only 10% of members of the Air Force are pilots. There are hundreds of other jobs for Air Force personnel. From mechanical jobs to lab work to base services.
For benefits you will receive a salary, a food allowance if you are single, Basic Housing Allowance if you are married. Living expenses, including utilities and maintenance, are covered for Air Force members who choose to live in on-base housing/apartments. You will receive 30 paid days leave a year. You will be eligible for health and life insurance. You also have several opportunities to further your education through the Air Force.
If you want to serve for 2 years, 4 years, 6 years, 12 years you can depending on your contract. Or make a career and serve 20 years and retire with full benefits. The Air Force has over 64 bases in the continental US and over 20 locations in other countries. So there is a wide range of possibilities for you to be stationed at.
The United States Army is the largest branch of the armed forces of the United States. It was formed on June 3, 1784.
Army Basic Combat Training or BCT is 9 weeks long. There are five different training posts throughout the US for BCT, including Fort Benning in Georgia, Fort Jackson in South Carolina, Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri, Fort Sill in Oklahoma and Fort Knox in Kentucky. After you complete BCT you will move on to Advanced Individual Training or AIT for your Military Occupational Specialty or MOS. The location of these also varies depending on your MOS. There are several different jobs you can have in the Army.
For bonuses, qualified Active Duty recruits may be eligible for a combination of bonuses up to $40,000. This may depend on the time you join, the job you qualify for and the contract you sign.
For benefits you will receive a salary, a food allowance if you are single, Basic Housing Allowance if you are married. Living expenses, including utilities and maintenance, are covered for Army members who choose to live in on-post housing/apartments. Soldiers assigned to high-cost locations in the continental U.S. and overseas are paid a Cost of Living Allowance. You will also receive a Clothing Allowance to help pay for your uniforms. You will receive 30 paid days leave a year and will be eligible for health and life insurance. Also, there are several opportunities to further your education through the Army.
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Marines
The United States Marine Corps or USMC was formed in November 10, 1775. Often called Devil Dogs, Jarheads, Leathernecks, the Marines are the best of the best. They are first in and last out.
Marine Corps boot camp is held at Marine Corps Recruit Depot or MCRD San Diego or Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, in Beaufort, South Carolina. The USMC boot camp is 13 weeks long and the longest of all the US branches. After boot camp, you will attend the School of Infantry training at Camp Geiger or Camp Pendleton. If you are Infantry, you will begin your Military Occupational Specialty or MOS training following the School of Infantry.
For benefits you will receive a salary, a food allowance if you are single, Basic Housing Allowance if you are married. Living expenses, including utilities and maintenance, are covered for USMC members who choose to live in on-base housing/apartments. You will receive 30 paid days leave a year and will be eligible for health and life insurance. Also, there are several opportunities to further your education.
There are Marine Corps bases all over the world. You will have the opportunity to travel and visit new places.
Be one of the Few and the Proud, join the United States Marines! http://www.marines.com/
Navy
United States Navy or USN official birthday is October 13, 1775. The Navy is responsible for conducting naval operations
The Navy boot camp or Recruit Training Command (RTC) is located in Great Lakes, Illinois and is 8 weeks long. After RTC you will move on to technical training or “A” School. There are several job choices in the Navy. It isn’t just being on ships!
For benefits you will receive a salary, a food allowance if you are single, Basic Housing Allowance if you are married. Living expenses, including utilities and maintenance, are covered for Navy members who choose to live in on-base housing/apartments. You will also receive a Clothing Allowance to help pay for your uniforms. You will receive 30 paid days leave a year and will be eligible for health and life insurance. Also, there are several opportunities to further your education through the Navy.
There are Navy bases all over the world as well as ships that you can be stationed on. So travel is in your future if you join the Navy!
Accelerate your life, become a member of the US Navy! http://www.navy.com/
Be sure to check out the branches website for more information and opportunities. Every branch has something different to offer, but whichever you decide, thank you for your service to our great nation!
