The six service branches of the U. The enlisted and officer paths each have a unique hierarchy of various ranks. As the Commander in Chief, the President of the United States is responsible for all command decisions.
The president is advised by the Secretary of Defense, who oversees the Department of Defense and works closely with chiefs of staff from every service branch.
Although the Coast Guard ultimately reports to the commander-in-chief as well, it operates within the Department of Homeland Security. The Selective Service System is a government agency that requires the registration of almost all male US citizens and male immigrants who are 18 through Should a national emergency require a military conscription draft , these individuals may be called upon to serve.
Military Entrance Processing Station MEPS is a joint Service organization with locations all over the country, that determines an applicant's physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as set by each branch of military service.
Visiting MEPS is an important step in becoming an enlisted service member. There are two versions of the test:. The Reserve Officers' Training Corps ROTC is an officer commissioning path associated with 4-year colleges and universities that prepares young adults to become leaders in the Military. In exchange for scholarship money, ROTC cadets commit to serving for a set period of time upon graduation.
Basic training, which is commonly known as boot camp, is a 8-to week training program that prepares recruits for all elements of service: physical, mental and emotional. It also instills service members with discipline, confidence, and reinforces the importance of teamwork.
Possession of a high school diploma is desirable, although not mandatory, for enlistment in any component of the Military Services. Depending on Service needs, candidates with a GED General Education Development certificate may be able to join, however; these opportunities may be limited.
For details, see Eligibility Requirements. Recruiters are the very best source of information about what the Military is like, what young people can get from the Service and all the steps in the process of recruiting. It matters that people get accurate and current information, and recruiters are the best resource for answers to even the most difficult questions regarding the Service. To get started, visit Questions to Ask a Recruiter. As part of the entrance process for any Service branch, but prior to boot camp , new recruits will receive a physical exam, which includes a complete medical history.
During that exam, they will be asked about their overall health. A recruit's input and the result of the exam will determine his or her ability to meet the health and physical fitness standards for military service. Some of the most common reasons for disqualification include permanent medical conditions such as sight or hearing deficiencies, or temporary conditions that can be remediated, such as excess body weight.
Applicants who are disqualified because of a temporary condition may be granted a medical waiver, with the approval rate depending on the condition being considered and the different needs of each Service. For a full list of conditions and waiver considerations, we recommend that you speak with a recruiter. Properly documented noncitizens may enlist.
However, opportunities may be limited. Contact a recruiter for more advice on a specific situation. All jobs, including combat, are open to women. The percentage of women serving on active duty in the Military has more than doubled since Clearly, women play an important role in today's Military.
Each Service and many occupations have specific physical requirements that must be met regardless of gender. Each Service takes a different approach to evaluating the severity and number of offenses on a candidate's record.
The results of this evaluation may — or may not — disqualify candidates. DoD generally prohibits the enlistment of any applicant who has more than two dependents under the age of While the Services are allowed to waive this policy, they often will not.
In fact, most of the Services are even stricter in their policies:. Once serving, all service members are free to marry and have children as they wish. Family members are eligible for military health care, and female service members can take maternity leave. Speak to a recruiter to learn more about this process. Below is a breakdown by Service branch and component:. Much like the wide range of jobs found in the civilian working world, the Military offers hundreds of rewarding opportunities across many different career fields.
Visit Explore Careers to discover opportunities that match your interests and skill sets. To hear from service members about their own career experiences in the Military, visit Career Stories.
Each service branch has its own undergraduate institution that educates and trains its future leaders. Admission to military academies is highly competitive. Students should begin preparing during high school to ensure they meet the high standards and strict requirements for acceptance.
Military academies offer free tuition and room and board in exchange for a commitment to serve as an active-duty officer for a period of time after graduation, usually at least five years. Direct commissions may be available to civilians with certain highly specialized professional degrees that are in demand in the services.
Doctors, lawyers, clergy and engineers are among the professionals who are most in demand and therefore most likely to receive a direct commission. Professionals who receive a direct commission receive officer training to help them transition from civilian to military life and learn leadership skills.
Though less common, enlisted members may apply to become a commissioned officer. Some branches of service offer programs in which an enlistee earns a college degree and attends officer school while serving in the military. It is also possible to become a warrant officer — a technical and tactical leader — without holding a four-year college degree.
Special operations physicians are responsible for training the medics who practice medicine in the field during deployments. During the training, they use simulated mannequins to practice their medical skills. So we're here today to do some good TC3 training. Nick, you're our medic today, and so you're going to be kind of taking point, and he's going to be the boss. I'm going to be in the background; I'll be helping direct what's going on. NICK: And you'll be point man on the patrol. You'll be on the right side of the wedge, along with you.
When we take casualties, I'll assign roles when we get there. NICK: Left side, move to the vehicle. Right side, move to us. Get on the front side of the vehicle.
So this is where our medic's going to take charge; he's going to start addressing every problem that he can find. Nick, what's something that you might have to worry about on this guy with a chest wound, now you've occluded his chest wound?
NICK: We're going to check for bilateral rise. He was good; his respirations weren't too high either. Warrant Officers help shape policy and advise on specialized missions Enlisted Soldiers can be recruited to apply to the school after two years of service Candidates will deepen their skills in their specialty and prepare to instruct and advise others.
Your rank as a commissioned Officer indicates not only your pay grade, but also the amount of responsibility you hold. Start by leading platoon-sized units of 16 to 44 Soldiers in entry-level leadership roles, working your way up to being responsible for as many as 1, Soldiers. Second lieutenant First lieutenant Captain Major. Advance in rank to lead battalion and brigade-sized units of anywhere between and 3, Soldiers, to eventually lead division-sized units of 10, to 16, soldiers.
Lieutenant colonel Colonel Brigadier general Major general. Becoming an Officer will also help you if you decide to enter the civilian workforce, as employers place a high value on workers who can lead others in stressful situations. It depends on which path you choose. Army Officer salaries are generally comparable with mid-level to senior-level corporate executives.
Officers are also eligible for other benefits such as Army housing and health care, which can have additional financial value.
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