Fresh Profile: Military Jobs

Published on 2008-05-16

With a standing force of almost 1.5 million individuals, the United States military is one of the largest sources of federal jobs in the country today. The U.S. Armed Forces consists of five branches: the Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force and Coast Guard, each of which is imbued with its own unique character, attributes, history and traditions. Each service is designed to tackle a different aspect of homeland defense and, as part of its unique mission, will use different equipment and tactics to accomplish that goal. Sometimes missions will overlap with those of the other branches; some missions may also require forces to work in unison with the militaries of other countries.

The U.S. Marines generally form the tip of the spear in any advancing force, while Army jobs tend to require a familiarity with the mechanics of heavy artillery and long-term troop movements. Navy jobs maintain a dual concentration on the forward deployment of assets at sea and the sharing of coastal protection duties and drug-interdiction operations with the U.S. Coast Guard. Air force jobs will divide aviation duties with the rest of the armed forces as each service equips and maintains its own aviation squadrons. Elite units within these branches will operate quicker, with more versatility and precision, allowing for more adaptable application in emergency situations. Although each service is justly proud of its individual abilities, all members of the military understand that together they must guard with honor the reputation of the United States both at home and abroad.

Although the draft has been used in the past, military jobs are currently staffed by an all-volunteer force. Members sign contracts pledging to serve in increments from two to six years. Speaking very generally, there are two major specializations. The enlisted ranks are open to those with a high school diploma and often involve highly technical apprenticeships that equip the enlisted person with the necessary expertise to operate, maintain, and repair a highly specialized piece of equipment. Every day, enlisted personnel in highly specialized fields operate sonar, fix jet engines, and fire heavy artillery. The officer ranks require a candidate to have earned a 4-year degree. A typical career arcs from a generally technical field of expertise to larger theater-of-operation concerns such as troop and equipment movements, logistical considerations and strategy. Officers navigate submarines, drive ships and command squads in the field. Using the field of military aviation as a very general example, enlisted personnel will fix and maintain the aircraft, load fuel and armaments, and man the control tower during take off and landing, leaving a military officer to fly the airplane and execute the mission.

Not all technical fields in which the military offers apprenticeships have counterparts in the civilian sector. However, many career veterans find federal government jobs after their service, and the military does its best to offer its junior personnel abundant educational opportunities. From nuclear power generation to the driving of heavy equipment and the flying of aircraft, many military technical and engineering licenses are recognized in the civilian licensing process. Additional exams may be required to gain licensure, but initial requirements may be waived. Serious challenges that military personnel face on a daily basis include duty stations in dangerous areas, long deployments away from home and family, and the somewhat frequent change of their home base every two to four years.

The breadth of the United States military engagements both at home and abroad makes the need for well-trained personnel especially critical. Recent military activities have placed additional demands on the U.S. Armed Forces, and the need to find talented and qualified individuals to fill positions within the ranks remains a high priority.

Compensation is dependent on both rank and time in service and is often indexed to account for cost of living, local and occupational hazard, and marital status. In light of its educational and medical benefits, coupled with a full retirement after 20 years of service, many people are drawn to career opportunities within the United States military as a dual chance to both better themselves and serve their country. Fresho.com can provide you with the necessary information to contact your local recruiter and salutes the men and women of the armed service who fight daily to preserve the honor, dignity and integrity of this nation.