If you are a student about to graduate high school, or perhaps have been approached by a recruiter, you may be thinking about enlisting in the military. However, you aren’t sure which branch would be the best fit for you or even why you would want to enlist because you have also been accepted to the college of your choice. Put that on hold for a few moments to look at the top six reasons why so many young men and women enlist, and you may find that your decision is easier to make. While not in order of rank, these are the most common reasons for enlistment.
1. Family Tradition
Some families have a multi-generational tradition of enlisting in a specific branch of the service. You will often see this in Navy, Marine, and Airforce recruits, but other branches such as the Army and Coast Guard also have members with family traditions. In families with a long tradition, children are often raised with the expectation that they will join too.
2. Enlistment Contract Bonuses
One thing you will want to be careful of, according to an article on The Balance entitled, “US Military Enlistment Contracts and Enlistment Incentives: What the Recruiter Never Told You,” each branch of the military has its own contractual agreements and they vary from branch to branch. What the article wants you to understand is that each branch is different, so your bonus will vary between them, and at the moment, the Army seems to have the best enlistment bonus available.
3. Tuition Coverage during Active Duty
There are stipulations as to the time and amount of tuition coverage, but in most branches, tuition is covered up to 100% if you are eligible per the active duty contingencies. You can get a Military-Friendly Online Degree, which was designed for those on active duty, as well as a program especially for veterans who are no longer actively called up. Here again, the amount and time constraints are different from one branch to the next, so check this out before enlisting if you have not decided which branch you’d like to serve.
4. Student Loan Repayment Assistance
There are also several student loan repayment provisions in all branches if you’ve served your time on active duty or have been honorably discharged. Only the Marines and Coast Guard don’t offer this incentive. Only certain loans qualify, however, so check those out in the article mentioned above.
5. Wide Range of Veterans’ Benefits
There are several veterans’ benefits you will qualify for upon retiring from the service, and these will also be largely specific to the branch under which you served. Upon leaving, you will have an opportunity to discuss these benefits if needed, but often they are explained at the time of signing. VA home mortgage loans and student loan repayment programs are perhaps the most important, along with healthcare coverage if eligible.
6. Civic Duty – Especially in Times of Conflict
Finally, in times of conflict, a great number of men and women feel it is their civic duty to protect this country they love and call home. Although we are not currently in a major time of conflict, there is tension around the world and some young people want to be ready in case they are called up.
So, if you are still debating whether or not enlisting in the military is the right move for you, these reasons should give you food for thought. If you are looking for a kickstart to a professional career, why not let the military help you get the education you need? That, alone, is reason enough for many young people who can’t afford the rising costs of a degree. If that’s you, call your local recruiter today.
