Expert: Cynthia Bedell - 6/15/2008

Question
Hi I am 19 and was wondering how i can decide between joining the army, marines, navy, or air force. Since graduating high school i haven't done much and i want to know if enlisting would be the answer what can i get out of it that will help me in my future perhaps find a career

Answer
Dear David --

Which service you should choose depends on what you like to do, what skills you bring with you and what each service offers you.

Before you enlist in any service, please be sure you want to work hard.  You will get up early each day, have little control of your schedule, and will be expected to accomplish what your leaders request of you.  However, you will get training associated with teamwork and leadership, military skills, and whatever technical field you are assigned to.  The teamwork, leadership and technical skills are all sought by civilian employers, once you leave the service so they are a big benefit to your future.

The Army is offering fairly generous enlistment bonuses to high school graduates that enlist for 4 to 8 years.  The longer the initial enlistment, the higher the bonus.

All services have some technical specialties, but the Air Force is the most highly technical.  The Army and the Marine Corps have the most physically demanding jobs.  The Navy will require you to be at sea for extended periods of time usually two tours out of three.

I recommend you get a self study guide for the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).  Once you feel comfortable with the types of questions on the test, you should take the ASVAB and see in which areas you score best.  Then you can see whether the test results and your interests align.  Then talk to recruiters in all the services to see what jobs and what bonuses are available to you.  Then you can measure the commitment required against the reward, and make a decision that is best for you.

Please feel free to write back, if you have additional questions, anytime during this process.  And remember, don't sign an enlistment contract, unless it has everything you were promised -- in writing -- in the contract.  Verbal promises from your recruiter are unenforceable, don't let them pull a fast one on you.

Good luck to you.  Thank you for considering military service.