A Helpful Guide to Military Careers

A military career is often a popular option for many young men and women graduating high school. There are many benefits to joining the military that make it well worth enlisting. While the benefits are good, there are also some drawbacks to signing up for the military, such as traveling and living far away from family and friends. Also, it can be hard working in stressful climates during times of war.

While many parents may be uneasy about one of their children jumping into a pair of rugged tactical pants and strapping on a comfortable pair of tactical boots, the benefits are often far too good to pass up. The work experience also makes them great for certain civilian careers like law enforcement and security after their enlisted time is up.

Here’s a guide to military careers, including types of jobs, the difference between the military branches and more helpful information so you can make a choice best for you.

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Benefits of Joining the U.S. Military

Joining the military may be the best career option for a broad range of people. Enlisting may be the best choice for men and women who need more structure and regimen to grow. Also, joining the service is for people who want to make the military a long-term career. Others join to get their education paid for.

Here are some of the best reasons to join the military:

• It’s a steady, reliable paycheck, and sometimes you get bonuses to enlist.
• You get free healthcare, even for your immediate family (spouse and kids).
• The military helps pay for college.
• Retirement benefits—including free healthcare for you and your spouse and retirement pay
• Travel benefits—Many service members get to travel all around the world.
• You gain important life and work experience that you can use once your time in the military is up.
• Specialty and advanced training
• 30 annual paid days of vacation
• The option to join full- or part-time (in the reserves)
• Free housing or housing allowance

Drawbacks of Enlisting in the U.S. Military

Like most other things in life, a military career has its ups and downs. Some of the cons include:

• Hard bootcamp (although this can be a plus, too)
• Many times, you must train and work/live far away from friends and family—sometimes in another country.
• You have very little control over where you’re stationed.
• You may see more active conflict depending on where you’re stationed or deployed.
• There’s a lot of discipline.
• You’re enlisted for a set timeframe, so quitting may not be an option.
• It may be hard to plan for your future.

That said, there are still many benefits that may outweigh some of these cons.

What Are the Different Military Branches?

There are five main branches of the military. Let’s discuss a little about each one so you know your different options and what each branch does.

The Navy

The United States Navy is the largest Navy in the world. Currently, the Navy has approximately 298 combat vessels ready to deploy as well as more than 3,700 operational aircraft. Currently, the Navy has about 347,714 active-duty personnel and 99,394 ready reserve soldiers.

This branch of the military’s mission is to protect the U.S. at sea. With our allies and partners, the Navy defends freedom, preserves economic prosperity and keeps the sea free and open. America is engaged in long-term competition, and the U.S. Navy must always be prepared to execute its mission so it can defend the nation’s interests all around the world.

The Marine Corps

Established in 1947, the Marine Corps works closely with the Navy and under the Department of Defense to perform expeditionary missions. They are an elite fighting force and are considered part of the Department of the Navy.

This military branch’s mission is unique as they serve on Navy ships, guard U.S. embassies, protect Navy bases and are always on call as America’s quick-strike force. Marines protect our interests everywhere in the world.

The Marine Corps is a flexible branch that can respond anywhere in days. They are considered one of the military branches and are well-known for their training and structure.

The Air Force

Before the National Security Act of 1947, military aviation was a joint responsibility between the other branches. As part of the act, the U.S. Air Force became a separate military branch.

Today, the Air Force has approximately 320,000 active-duty personnel and is the largest Air Force in the world. The Air Force’s mission states, “The U.S. Air Force is the world’s preeminent force in air, space, and cyberspace. We maintain that distinction by maintaining our objective of global vigilance, reach and power and remaining true to our vision.”

They dominate the air through joint military ventures, surveillance, reconnaissance and intelligence, which gives us an advantage over our enemies. The Air Force can deploy rapidly anywhere in the world and sustain operations for a long time. Their global strike ability uses nuclear and conventional precision forces.

The Army

The U.S. Army is one of the oldest American military branches, as it was established in 1775 by the Second Congressional Congress. It focuses primarily on land-based battles and military occupations with a few subsections that have alternative duties. One example is the Army Corps of Engineers who oversee the country’s hydropower capabilities and rivers.

The Army’s mission describes two missions—institutional and operational, with the institutional supporting the operational Army. The institutional Army is the backbone, providing the infrastructure needed to raise, equip, train, deploy and guarantee Army forces are always ready.

Every soldier receives professional education and training on military skills so that this branch can expand rapidly during wartime. The institutional bases ensure that the Army has the latest technology for equipment and the logistics to deploy forces on land and help combatant commands. Once troops are deployed, the institutional Army provides the logistics the operational Army needs. Neither the institutional or operational section can perform without the other.

The Coast Guard

This military branch can trace its beginnings back to 1790, when it was first established as the United States Revenue Cutter Service. Today, the Coast Guard falls under the Department of Homeland Security during peace times and under the Navy once Congress makes a declaration of war.

The Coast Guard has specific missions related to the sea and separate from the Navy that include:

• Guarding the United States’ ports and coasts
• Enforcing the U.S. sea laws
• Search rescues and missions at sea
• Protecting the marine environment

In times of war, the Coast Guard supports the Navy and can be deployed anywhere overseas to protect the nation’s maritime assets.

Some examples of missions include ensuring that stop lights (on the water), buoys and lighthouses are in working condition. Also, protecting marine life by finding at-risk species and maintaining sustainable and healthy populations.

The Reserves and National Guard

If you don’t want a full-time military career, you can still serve part-time in the reserves or National Guard. With the reserves, enlistees serve at least 39 days a year and help support full-time and active-duty military on wartime missions and national emergencies. You get to support your local and regional areas, but can be called to duty during an emergency.

Reservists are required to do weekend drills and 15 annual training days each year. There are three main categories for the reserves:

• Ready Reserve
• Standby Reserve
• Retired Reserve

The National Guard originated in the early 1600s with the first military regiments. Today, it consists of units from all 50 U.S. states, D.C. and the territories of Puerto Rico, Guam and the Virgin Islands.

Its mission is to train and maintain soldiers for rapid deployment for national emergencies and war. During times of peace, they respond to natural disasters such as hurricanes and fires. As a member of the National Guard, you receive pay for each day you serve, including deployment, weekend drills and training. Salaries are based on job function and your education level and there are many opportunities such as:

• Special forces occupations
• STEM careers
• Administrative positions
• Becoming a Green Beret

What Are the Different Military Jobs?

The Balance Careers wrote an article on different U.S. military jobs and came up with over 800 different kinds of jobs.

Enlisted job titles vary from branch to branch. In the Navy and Coast Guard, these jobs are known as ratings or rates. In the Air Force, they are listed as Air Force specialty codes (AFSCs) and in the Marines and Army, they are referred to as military occupational specialties (MOS).

How Are Enlisted U.S. Military Jobs Assigned?

There are many factors that affect how the military branches assign enlisted jobs. They include the duties of each job, how you qualify, where you will live and train and at what capacity you will deploy. In addition, there are academic requirements. You must reach minimum scores on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

Additionally, there may be physical requirements for a career path, such as a Rescue Swimmer or Special Ops position. You may also need a security clearance.

Here are some examples of jobs under each military branch.

Navy Enlisted Ratings

Many of the Navy jobs are listed under communities. Here are some examples of enlisted jobs and their categories in the Navy.

Administrative Community

• MC – Mass Communication Specialists — the public relations representatives of the Navy
• NC – Navy Counselor — interviewing personnel, recruiting civilians and maintaining a liaison with local media
• PS – Personnel Specialists — the human resource coordinators for the Navy

Nuclear Ratings – highly competitive and must be good with science and math because they essentially run nuclear reactors

• Electronics Technician (ET)
• Machinist’s Mate (MM)
• Electrician’s Mate (EM)

Other jobs include Navy Intelligence positions, dental and medical personnel, Navy builders, Navy Security, Navy Submarine Community and many more.

Marine Corps Military Occupational Specialties

Marine Corps jobs are grouped by Occupational Fields and are represented by the first two numbers of the MOS.

01 – Personnel and Administration

02 – Intelligence

03 – Infantry

04 – Logistics

08 – Field Artillery

18 – Tank and Amphibious Assault

23 – Ammunition and Explosive Ordnance Disposal

27 – Linguist

33 – Food Service

55 – Music

58 – Military Police and Corrections

63/64 – Avionics

66 – Aviation Logistics

73 – Navigation Officer/Enlisted Flight Crews

Air Force Enlisted Jobs

The Air Force uses AFSCs, as mentioned above, and they are divided into general categories.

Operations

1A0XX – In-Flight Refueling

1A3XX – Airborne Operations

1A6XX – Flight Attendant

1A7XX - Aerial Gunner

Command and Control Operations

1C0XX – Aviation Resource Management

1C2XX – Combat Control

1C3XX – Command Post

Intelligence

1N0XX - Operations Intelligence

1N3XX – Cryptologic Language Analyst

1N4XX – Network Intelligence Analyst

Maintenance and Logistics

2A3XX – Avionics Systems

2A5XX- Aerospace Maintenance

2A6XX – Aerospace Propulsion

There are many more positions under categories like Weather, Unmanned Aerospace Systems, Safety, Cyberspace Career Field, Missile and Space Systems Maintenance, etc.

Army Enlisted Jobs

Army Enlisted jobs use the Military Occupational Specialties as well. They are categorized into fields and here are a few of them.

Field 09 – Native Language Speaker. These soldiers are recruited for their native language abilities.

Field 11 – Infantry. These jobs include Infantryman and Indirect Fire Infantryman.

Field 12 – Corps of Engineers. Twenty-two enlisted jobs that help build structures, work natural resources and more.

Field 15 – Aviation. Twenty-one Army enlisted jobs like mechanics, avionics technicians and more.

Field 19 – Armor. Tank and Cavalry/Forward Reconnaissance jobs

Field 25 – Signal Corps. The Army’s Signal Corps work on all the communication systems and are critical. They train at the Army Signal Center located in Georgia at Fort Gordon.

Field 29 – Electronic Warfare. Here, soldiers carry out and oversee all military actions involving electromagnetic energy as a weapon and prevent the hostile use of the electromagnetic spectrum.

Field 35 – Military Intelligence. Thirteen jobs that gather intelligence during Army missions.

There are many more fields and jobs in the Army.

Coast Guard Enlisted Jobs

The Coast Guard is the smallest military branch, but has some excellent career opportunities. Here are some examples of Coast Guard Jobs.

Aviation Maintenance Technician – AMTs maintain and crew Coast Guard aircraft and receive technical training and experience similar to jobs in commercial aviation.

Aviation Survival Technician – ASTs provide emergency medical treatment, save lives and maintain survival equipment.

Boatswain’s Mate – If you want hands-on experience going out to sea, then become a Boatswain’s mate.

Culinary Specialist – You can learn all about catering and restaurants, all while serving the country.

Electronics Technician – ETs maintain all the electronic systems—from control and communication and navigation systems to command.

Intelligence Specialist – The IS position is newer and critical because this role is one of the first defenders of the waterways and ports.

Storekeeper – If you like managing money and are good with numbers, this position might be perfect for you.

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Final Thoughts on Enlisted Military Jobs

Now that you know a little bit about each military branch and some of the possible enlisted jobs, you can choose the right career path that fits your skills. There are so many benefits to joining the military. The retirement and education benefits are worth it alone.

Each branch is unique, and people often find they relate to one branch’s mission and duties more than other ones. So, explore your options and start a career that will support you and your family and protect America for years to come.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Careers Are in the Military?

As listed above, there are plenty of career categories to choose from. You can help support the operational Army with a career in the institutional Army. Or pick an administrative or intelligence career. Join the flight crew in the Air Force or Special Ops position in another branch. There are plenty of great jobs to choose from.

Which Military Branch Is Best for Medical Careers?

All the branches have medical personnel that are excellent entry points for aspiring doctors and physicians. So, one isn’t necessarily better than the other. It’s what your duties are and where you do them. For instance, you can be a Medical Department Representative on a submarine, caring for soldiers or saving lives on rescue missions in the Coast Guard.

What’s the Highest Paid Job in the Military?

The Chief Executive Officer is likely the highest-paying job in the military and can make over $809,000. The position is like the CEO of a company, so it’s a very important position. You need at least a college degree, many years of experience in management and more.

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