Many men and women consider whether they should join the military at some point in their life. And why not? It’s a stable career path, has lots of positives, and can offer a certain level of pride that comes from working for one’s nation. However, life in the military isn’t perfect, and it certainly isn’t suited for everyone. While there are positives to joining the military, there are also negatives you need to consider before jumping in head-first. Without further ado, let’s get into some of the pros and cons of choosing to join the military.
The Pros
College Tuition
Ever heard of the GI Bill? If you join the military it’s basically your ticket to guarantee that you can at least come out with a college education of some sort. It’s incredibly generous, and one of the major reasons that a lot of people actually join the military. For example, I’ve met several people with the grades to get into a lot of good schools, but not the financial backing (and they couldn’t secure enough scholarships to make the difference), so they joined the military. Not everyone will necessarily care about this perk of being in the military, but it’s something to at least consider (and try to take advantage of, if you can).
Training
The GI Bill is great, but it’s not the only way you can get training and education. When you enter the military you will receive training. Yes, there are some universal things that just about everyone in the military gets, but you’ll also get training based on your specific function too. Someone working with munitions will likely see very different training compared to someone serving personnel or IT functions.
On top of that, the military generally encourages continued education and training in a variety of forms. For example, if you work in an IT position, they’ll likely encourage you to pursue certifications.
Your Expenses Will Be Taken Care Of And You Can Get Your Finances On Track
So, when you’re in the military a lot of your basic expenses are taken care of. You get your basic pay, and if you’re not living on a military base you generally get a decent allowance. Also, depending on what you do you may even get additional hazard pay.
Now, it’s not the best pay in the world, but it’s a good start (especially if you go in with no education or skills), and it makes sure your needs are more than met. A lot of people use the extra cash after their minimums are met to splurge and have fun, but if you try to invest as much as you can you’ll eventually see some great gains that can be worthwhile.
On top of all of that, you also get access to some great institutions like Navy Federal and USAA. You can even get a VA home loan, which may open a few doors for you. Of course, be careful when choosing a home loan as there are several options and all have their own pros and cons. A VA home loan may provide an opportunity you might not have had otherwise, but it may also make it more expensive in the long run.
Military Discounts
I think this one is pretty self-explanatory. Everywhere you go, all over the nation, tons of stores and restaurants show their support by offering discounts for military personnel. The exact discount can vary a bit, but I see 10-15% off quite frequently. If you’re in the military, be sure to check if any business you frequent offers a military discount – you may be missing out!
Medical Insurance
With skyrocketing premiums, decent medical insurance can be hard to find and outrageously expensive. Fortunately, the military provides medical insurance for its personnel and veterans, so you can rest knowing that will be taken care of.
You Potentially Get To Travel All Over The World
If you want to see other nations, this may be one of your only options if you’re just starting out and don’t have a lot of money saved up. Of course, you don’t exactly always get to pick where you want to go, so it is a bit of a double-edged sword, but you’re definitely liable to move around and see different parts of the world or the US throughout your career (even if it is a short one).
The Vacation Policy
Surprisingly, the military actually has a decent vacation policy…at least, when you’re starting out. It’s another one of those things where it beats a lot of entry-level positions, especially if you don’t have an education, but it can’t compete with what the private-sector offers highly skilled workers. So, the vacation will likely be a positive for most people, but it may not be competitive for others.
Retirement
Like several other perks of being in the military, you get more options when it comes to retirement planning in the military. On top of getting retirement pay (if you stay in the military long enough), you also get access to the Thrift Savings Plan. This isn’t the article to get into the details on that, but think of the TSP as another option similar to a 401(k).
Get Paid To Stay In Shape
What more can I say? Yes, you’re expected to stay in shape, but in a way you’re also paid to stay in shape to a certain extent. On top of that, you generally have easy access to some great facilities and equipment, so it’s definitely easier to stay on top of your physical health (not accounting for injuries) while you’re in the military.
Lifelong Bonds
The military is known for this! You’ll meet a lot of people along the way, see a lot with them (both the good and the bad) and you’ll forge lifelong relationships with a lot of them through it all. I don’t think I need to tell you, but good friends and a strong community for you to be a part of can be priceless.
The Cons
You’re Locked In And You Give Up A Lot Of Your Freedom
Contract lengths vary, but you’re likely locked into the military for several years. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it is limiting. On top of that, you give up a lot of decision-making abilities when you join (you may not even have any say in where you live). This isn’t the end of the world, but it’s a big consideration if you’re thinking about joining.
The Pay
One of the most common things I hear from recruiters is how “competitive” they think the pay is. At the end of the day, it’s not. It never will be, and if you go in with that expectation you’ll end up sorely disappointed. As I said earlier, your needs will be met, and you may even have a decent amount to invest, but the pay rate isn’t the most luxurious.
If you get a degree relevant to the market (that is, something like a STEM major), you’ll make far more than even some of the most experienced military personnel. Of course, if you leave the military you may have access to a lot of high-paying jobs in the private sector too.
You May Have To Travel And Be Out Of The Country For Years
I mentioned how the travel was a bit of a double-edged sword earlier, but I really wanted to cement that idea in. You may have to live overseas, away from your loved ones, for years! That’s not something to take lightly, and it can definitely be an unpleasant experience to say the least.
The Pecking Order Is Everything – Your Rank Limits You
You have to follow the orders of the people above you. Yes, even if you disagree with those orders, even if you think the person is dumber than you, and even if you disagree with their political views. There is a chain of command and you are expected to follow it. I know some people don’t mind that, but there are many who view that as a huge negative and refuse to join for that reason alone. It’s definitely some food for thought.
Grooming And Clothing Policies
It’s another freedom that you’re giving up. The military can have strict rules on specific things, which may seem frustrating. To be fair, most of them have a purpose and aren’t made to make you miserable, but I’d still consider it more of a negative.
Your Job Isn’t Always As Meaningful As You Assume
This is true of a lot of fields, not just the military, but it’s still worth mentioning. Whatever romanticized version of it you have is likely inaccurate. It’s not uncommon to be a pencil-pusher in the military!
Active Conflict
I doubt most people want to see actual combat, so I’ll safely label this a con. While many military jobs are desk-jobs, there are still more than enough where you have the potential to see combat somewhere. So, if you want to avoid that, be careful when you join.
Tons Of Bureaucracy
The military is huge and is known for having an insane amount of bureaucracy. The phrase “hurry up and wait” probably originated from some solider who had too much of all the paperwork. I’m sure you’ll encounter a lot of bureaucracy in your life, but in my experience the military takes the cake on it.
It’s Hard On Family
I think this is the one con everyone knows about. Being in the military and having a family is hard on yourself as well as them. You can still have a happy family life in the military, but it will provide some extra hurdles for you along the way.
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed the breakdown of some of the pros and cons of joining the military! For me, in my personal situation, the cons far outweighed the pros. However, I know tons of people who joined the military and it was a great fit for them that helped them become great men and women who achieved their goals. Now, do you think it’s for you? Let us know in the comments!
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