Military.com can help. Enlisted personnel make up about 82 percent of the Armed Forces and carry out military operations. They may also operate various types of combat vehicles, such as amphibious assault vehicles, tanks, or small boats. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz. Military members must be both physically and mentally fit, and ready to participate in, or support, combat missions that may be difficult and dangerous and involve long periods away from family. Quartermasters and boat operators navigate and pilot many types of small watercraft, including tugboats, gunboats, and barges. Each is unique, many have inspiring stories. The only exception is the selection process for Army aviator warrant officers, a process that has no requirement of previous military service. The main distinction between a US military officer that is commanding and everyone else is that they have the authority to command. Combat specialty personnel may maneuver against enemy forces and fire artillery, guns, mortars, or missiles to neutralize them. Leading this team is by far the most enjoyable part of my career. This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Some soldiers traveled half-way around the world to join; I’ve served with soldiers from Ghana, the Philippines, and India. Some are deployed internationally to defend U.S. national interests. For example, officers serving as lawyers, also known as judge advocates, may need to have and maintain their state bar licenses to enter and remain in the U.S. military.Â. Physical fitness. They work in scientific and professional occupations, such as atmospheric scientists, meteorologists, physical scientists, biological scientists, social scientists, attorneys, and other types of scientists or professionals. The tax benefits, health care, and other benefits of military service do make service worth more than the dollar amount officers … For example, enlisted personnel may become warrant officers if they complete a bachelor’s degree, have several years of experience in higher enlisted positions, and meet age and physical requirements. Much. Most active-duty programs have first-term enlistments of 4 years, although there are some 2-, 3-, and 6-year programs. Healthcare officers provide medical services to military personnel in order to maintain or improve their health and physical readiness. U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Intelligence officers provide a service that is crucial for our national defense. Always placing people first, and taking time to build relationships. I build relationships with as many people as I can, that way when I need help, I know who to go to. Some specialize in providing emergency medical treatment in combat or remote areas. Criteria for promotion may include time in service and in grade, job performance, a fitness report, and passing scores on written exams. The Organizing interest area indicates a focus on working with information and processes to keep things arranged in orderly systems. Members of elite Special Forces teams are trained to perform specialized missions anywhere in the world on a moment’s notice. These bases and facilities usually offer housing and amenities, such as stores and recreation centers. To see the information, visit, For more information about military testing, visit. Retirement pay is generally available after 20 years of service. Executive, administrative, and managerial officers manage administrative functions in the Armed Forces, such as human resources management, training, personnel, information, police, or other support services. I’m 29, from Austin, Texas and I’ve been in the Army for seven years. However, if you would like to correct a typo or other technical error, you can reach us at help@truity.com. The nation’s 24 … Officers must be U.S. citizens. An Army officer leads a platoon, company, division, brigade, corps, command or battalion in the Indian Army, depending on his/her rank.The Army broadly has three arms — for fighting, support, and service. Army aviators, for example, make up one group of warrant officers. Many overcame significant life challenges to join the Army, while others left promising careers and opportunities because they felt the need to serve. It is also more difficult to meet these goals during times of war, when recruitment goals typically rise. the difference is that it's more enlisted doing a lot of the grunt work, but sometimes officers are doing the grunt work also. I wanted to see if I could handle tough experiences, lead soldiers, and prevail despite adversity. Applicants who decide to join the military must pass the physical examination before signing an enlistment contract. In my job, we spend at least two days a week keeping our Hum-Vees ready for action. Recruiting specialists provide information about military careers; explain pay, benefits, and military life; and recruit individuals into the military. Commissioned officers generally receive training as leadership and management generalists, in addition to training relating to their specific military occupational specialty or function in the military. Intelligence specialists gather information and prepare reports for military planning and operations. Religious program specialists assist chaplains with religious services, religious education programs, and related administrative duties. Military police responsibilities include controlling traffic, preventing crime, and responding to emergencies. In addition to receiving basic pay, members of the military are either housed free of charge on base or they receive a housing allowance. Aircrew members operate equipment on aircraft. Each of those opportunities offered life changing shifts in perspective. All rights reserved. The contract involves a number of enlistment options, such as the length of active-duty or reserve-duty time, the length and kind of job training, and the amount of bonuses that may be earned, if any. A recruiter can also explain the various enlistment options and describe the military occupational specialties. In addition, among other things: we volunteer in our communities, we participate in parades, we cut our own grass, and we do non-field training on a variety of subjects. Being willing to dare and take calculated risk has helped me several times in my career. This group also includes naval surface warfare and submarine warfare officers, combat pilots, and aircrews. Media and public affairs personnel prepare and present information about military activities to the military and the public. Many high schools offer the exam as a way for students to explore the possibility of a military career. It seems simple, but taking notes and periodically reviewing those notes is how I keep track of the large number of things I have to do each day. This next section is a synopsis of the general rules. Members serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or in the Reserve components of these branches, and in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard. Construction personnel build or repair buildings, airfields, bridges, and other structures. Officer Candidate School. Members of the Armed Forces must be mentally stable and able to handle stressful situations that can occur during military operations. Support services officers manage military activities in key functional areas, such as logistics, transportation, and supply. After completing a four-year degree, graduates may enroll in OCS. How can I decide? The Army takes many types of people to be the professional volunteer force it is, and it’s important for Americans to understand the character and ability of the soldier. Officers … They work in support areas, such as finance, accounting, legal affairs, maintenance, supply, and transportation. Now, you can predict which career will satisfy you in the long term by taking a scientifically validated career test. A combination of time in the service and your ability and proficiency. About 8 percent of officers are warrant officers, who are technical and tactical experts in a specific area. It takes almost twice as long to prepare for training as it does to execute the actual training. They may be in charge of tanks and other armored assault vehicles, artillery systems, special operations, or infantry units. I know instinctively how to build a team and I just do it. For example, they receive additional pay for foreign, hazardous, submarine, or flight duty, or for being medical or dental officers. Training may last several weeks. Every eight weeks or so we go to the field (camping? These benefits may include educational benefits through the Montgomery GI Bill, which pays for a portion of educational costs at accredited institutions; medical care at military or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals; and guaranteed home loans. Training and education directors identify training needs and develop and manage educational programs. Sometimes I get it wrong and those circumstances turn into a learning point. Optometrists treat vision problems and prescribe glasses, contact lenses, or medications. My instincts aren’t always right, but I take risks to follow them. Purchasing and contracting managers negotiate and monitor contracts for equipment, supplies, and services that the military buys from the private sector. Learn as much about the Army as you can before you join. Environmental health and safety specialists inspect military facilities and food supplies to ensure that they are safe for use and consumption. Maintaining our equipment also takes a significant amount of time. This can get a bit complicated, so I wrote a full guide that covers the service requirements for retiring as an officer. Consequently, the nation is expected to maintain adequate personnel in the Reserve, Army National Guard, and Air National Guard. Some intelligence officers … Personnel must be prepared to work additional hours to fulfill missions. To become an officer, you have three choices: ROTC, West Point, or Officer Candidate School. Pablo N. Piedra (Flickr). Emerging conflicts and global events, however, could lead to changes in the size of the military branches. U.S. citizenship or permanent resident status. Training for certain occupations—nuclear power plant operator, for example—may take as long as a year. Show Full Article Various yardsticks suggest the U.S. military – or at least the officer corps, which accounts for 17% of the 1.4 million-strong active-duty force – leans Republican. Most of us only know what it’s like from video games and movies, but what’s the day to day work in the U.S. Army actually like? It also takes a certain learned level of resiliency to “hunt the good stuff” during particularly challenging assignments. 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