Consider the Military

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB Review

ASVAB stands for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and is a test developed and maintained by the United States Department of Defense. Its primary use is to pre-qualify applicants for military careers.

The ASVAB was first administered in the 1960’s and currently has eight subtests: word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge, arithmetic reasoning, general science, mechanical comprehension, electronics information and auto and shop information. More than a million people take the ASVAB each year. The test is available in both computer and paper form. It is a timed test and takes about three hours. It can be taken at an ASVAB testing site, through a military recruiter or in your high school—more than half of the high schools in the U.S. offer the test.

Why take the ASVAB?
There are three basic reasons to take the ASVAB:
* To find out if you qualify for a U.S. military branch of service.
* To find out what job you may qualify for within a particular branch of service.
* To explore what careers may interest you outside of the military.

To qualify for the military, you must take the ASVAB. After you have completed the test, you will receive a score that is referred to as the AFQT (Armed Forces Qualification Test). The AFQT is a score of 1 to 99 that is made up of four of the subtests: paragraph compression, word knowledge, math knowledge and arithmetic reasoning. Your raw scores are run through a formula to determine your AFQT score.

The military breaks these scores down into categories. The primary categories that recruiters are concerned with are: Category IIIA and above (50 to 99); IIIB (31-49), and IV and below (0 to 30).

Congress mandates how many of each category are eligible to join the military. The Department of Defense is mainly looking for Category IIIA, which means that your AFQT score is 50 or above. As a Category IIIA, you will qualify for education money and/or bonuses that may be available. Check with each branch of service for exact details. Don’t stress about trying to score a 99. Most people will qualify for any job that is open with a score below 99.

The subtest scores are used individually or in combination to find out what specific job within the branch of service you may qualify for. Remember that not all jobs in the military are combat related. You could work as an audiovisual and broadcast technician, a welder, a metal worker or a medical laboratory technician. The ASVAB is also used to help you explore careers that don’t involve the military.

What can you do to raise your score?
If you didn’t score a 50 or higher, you can take the ASVAB again. If you want to change jobs once you are in the military, you can request to take the ASVAB again. You don’t have to base your future on your current knowledge level. The ASVAB is a test of what you know, not how smart you are. There are many ASVAB review and study guides online and in books. Make sure the ASVAB study guide that you choose focuses on the AFQT specifically.

Discuss your other ASVAB questions with your school counselor or military recruiter. Taking the ASVAB can help guide you into a satisfying career. The military offers many choices and can open up future job opportunities. Taking the ASVAB can only help guide your future.

Nina S. Padolf is owner of www.ASVAB.org.

It may be hard to picture what your life is going to look like after high school. If you take the college route, you’ll probably be going to class during the day, maybe work on the weekends and hang out with friends at night. If you go right into a career, you’ll likely be working normal work hours all day in the field of your choice.

But what do your days look like if you decide to join the military? While there’s no real “typical” day, we asked Anton Guzman of the National Guard (www.nationalguard.com) what students might expect to do after they enlist in the military.

A typical day during training
A day in the military is anything but typical. According to Guzman, what you do often depends on what job you have, what rank you are and where you are. “We did physical therapy usually early in the morning,” says Guzman, “[or] from time to time we would do field training or weapons training.”

As someone who was preparing to be deployed, Guzman’s days often revolved around getting up in the early morning, eating breakfast and spending the day out in the field or training. “We did a lot of job-specific training, like police tactics and paper work,” he says, “but on the other hand, we did a lot of combat training, doing simulations for scenarios from moving in a convoy to clearing buildings. We also spent a lot of time in classrooms going over rules of engagement and laws of war.”

While deployed
Guzman says that when he went to Iraq, his days also varied depending where he was needed most. “We were on call as a quick reaction team some days and on other days, we were up early and rolling out on a mission.”

Early mornings are to be expected while deployed as soldiers are briefed on the day by their superiors and then go execute whatever tasks are assigned. Some tasks include doing maintenance on the base, doing maintenance on vehicles and weapons, or gearing up and rolling out on missions and doing whatever planning was needed as well. “We had our downtime here and there where we could work out or relax, but we also spent a lot of time keeping up on our gear and vehicles and weapons,” Guzman said. “We spent countless hours doing inventory and maintenance checks on everything we were issued.”

What the military can do for you
While a “typical day” may not always be the same, Guzman believes that the National Guard can be beneficial for students who want to serve and still go to school. “[The Army] pays for most of your schooling and if you get into an ROTC program, you come out of college as an officer,” he says. “The military also gives you a skill set and trains you in a job faster than any school will. There are an endless amount of jobs you can do and most of them transfer into the civilian world.”

However, he advises that students shouldn’t try to over-reach by trying to do too many things at once. Don’t take more classes than you can handle while also pursuing a military career.

“Think of it like going to school and still trying to work 40 hours a week.” Guzman offers a final word of advice for students who wish to stand out as good soldiers: “Show commitment, integrity and an ability to adapt and overcome.”

Visit NextStepU.com/Military to learn more about your options.

Laura Sestito is a senior at Nazareth College (www.naz.edu) and is a graphic designer and writer for NextStepU Magazine.

In the early 20th century, the United States military discovered that if they helped capable and willing young people pay for college, they were happy to return the favor through service. The program, called ROTC (Reserve Officers’ Training Corps), continues to benefit the U.S. Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps as well as thousands of students with scholarship and career opportunities each year.

Choosing ROTC is different from enlisting in the service. Participants must attend a four-year university and complete a bachelor’s degree before being commissioned as an entry-level officer. An ROTC student’s schedule mirrors that of a regular student, but includes ROTC leadership courses in addition to standard major studies.

The Air Force, Army, Navy and Marine Corps each offer ROTC programs. Applications are separate and each will have slightly unique requirements. “I’d advise applicants to apply for all the branches,” says Petty Officer 1st Class Jordan Orr. “I get the affinity for one branch, but if you are going through the process and you’ve committed to serving the country anyway, it’s better to have many choices than just one.”

How much are the scholarship awards?
Each service branch awards different levels of financial assistance, but most cover significant portions of tuition, books and lab fees and offer a monthly stipend for living expenses.

Can I attend any university?
The university you select needs to be an approved ROTC campus for your intended major, but there are many to choose from across the nation. For instance, the NROTC Marine Corps Option includes 155 universities and colleges. Check the appropriate ROTC website for a list of qualified colleges.

Can I choose my own major?
Yes. You choose your major, though your choice may affect your selection for a scholarship. The military looks for students who can fill career positions. Technical fields will be in higher demand, but it does not mean a liberal arts student won’t earn a scholarship.

Will the military own me?
Of course not! But a university education is no small investment and there is a trade-off. Once you complete your four-year degree and ROTC Leadership program, you’ll be required to serve from three to eight years depending on your scholarship terms.

What if I don’t earn the scholarship? Can I still pursue ROTC training and a military career?
Some students know they want to be an officer whether or not they receive scholarship money. These students are encouraged to apply for the ROTC training directly through their university’s ROTC unit. In fact, there are additional scholarships meant for cadets who enroll in the ROTC in this manner.

So what’s it really like?
Charlie Bierwirth, a junior attending Montana State University on an Army ROTC scholarship says he admits it surprised him to discover his fellow cadets were regular kids. “I was half expecting them to be, for lack of a better term, ‘High-speed gung-ho hoo-ah cadets,’” he says. “That was not the case.”

He says he and his fellow cadets encounter typical school stress and participate in many non-ROTC activities, but often become close friends. “When I first arrived [at college], I had a social network to instantly plug into. We had a common bond so it was easy to make friends.”

With his program, Charlie is required to report for physical training in the “wee hours of the morning.” The early hours aren’t his favorite, but Charlie says the accountability “really makes you get into a routine.” Also, knowing his scholarship hinges on keeping a clean record makes him think about “smart and safe living” while his non-ROTC peers might make different choices.

Charlie’s biggest ROTC challenge so far was when he had to pass a standard Army Fitness Test. Charlie lived in Redding, Calif. during the summer before the test and says he maybe lounged a bit more than he should have. When he had to run two miles within a set time limit at Montana State, he knew his tuition was on the line. “It kind of had some pressure on it.”

Who can apply for ROTC?
Anyone can apply, though ROTC looks for top candidates. Your grade point average (GPA) and test scores will be scrutinized along with your resumé of extracurricular activities and athletic involvement. Orr says that being a 4.0 GPA track star might not be enough. He suggests looking for community service opportunities — “Go see if the fire department will let you help them wash their trucks.” The military is interested in well-rounded individuals who can exhibit quality character attributes. During the application process you’ll also need to pass a physical exam and attend a personal interview.

When should I start?
Most branches of the ROTC program have final deadlines in January of your senior year. However, if you are interested in applying, you’ll want to start now. Orr says that 75 percent of the applicants wait and submit their packages in December and January. “[Because there are so many all at once], those applications are, frankly, not going to be reviewed as closely as the ones submitted in August. A great applicant might get passed over.”

You can apply as early as April of your junior year. Visit each branch’s website to apply. Once you’ve submitted and been approved from your first level of information, an ROTC coordinator will be assigned to you to help you stay on schedule throughout the application process.

Carrie Schmeck is a special features and business copywriter from northern California.

Are you thinking about going to college, but don’t have the money? Of course there are scholarships and financial aid, but what about scoring the cash for college more patriotically?

By joining the Army National Guard, you can attend college full-time, often tuition-free, serve your country and community and train for a military occupational specialty (MOS).

Mission
Joining the Army National Guard is about “duty, honor and the privilege of serving your country and community,” says Sgt. Maj. Brian Forney. Of course, everyone joins for different reasons, but members of the Guard are brought together with the common goals of patriotism, duty, and often, education.

Enlisting in the Guard requires you to serve a minimum of one weekend a month and two weeks a year, usually during the summer. This means you can attend college full or part time, and even have time to work another part-time job on top of receiving your monthly Guard paychecks.

How to join
If you’re serious about joining the Army National Guard, you can start by contacting a local recruiter by calling 1-800-GO-GUARD, visiting nationalguard.com or asking your high school guidance counselor for more information.

Before enlisting, you must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test to determine your qualifications and MOS. “The job you get is determined by your test scores,” Forney says. “Jobs include everything from aviation to mechanical to administrative duties.” No matter which MOS you qualify for, the skills you’ll develop will be important for a career outside of the military. It’s like getting paid to train for a career and receiving an education at the same time!

You must also pass the Army Physical Fitness Test, be at least 17 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. If you don’t have your diploma, the National Guard will pay and train you to get your GED with the GED Plus Program, provided you enlist and meet certain qualifications.

After you’ve passed your tests and met all qualifications, basic training begins. It’s a nine-week, physically intensive program that takes you from civilian to soldier. And you won’t have to miss any school, as it is often available during the summer.

Benefits
The most significant benefit of joining the National Guard is eligibility for education benefits.  These benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill, which will help with tuition, and the Montgomery GI Bill Kicker, which covers additional college expenses, such as books and housing.

Not only can the Guard help you attend college, but you’ll have access to free academic testing, health insurance, a 401(k)-type savings plan, and a military retirement in recognition of your part-time service.  And did you know that many colleges and universities award academic credit for Guard service and training?

Whether you’re joining the Army National Guard to fund your college education, serve your country and community or both, it’s “one of the greatest opportunities you can imagine,” Forney says.

The National Guard is a great place to start planning for your future. No matter what your goals are, there is likely to be a Guard opportunity perfect for you.

For more information on joining the Army National Guard, call 1-800-GO-GUARD and ask to speak to your local recruiter today.

Military service offers many ways to earn money for education. Check out a few of the options that joining the military offers below.

Loan repayment
Joining the military may help you repay your student loans if you attend schools on an approved Perkins, Stafford or other Department of Education-guaranteed student loan.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
In ROTC, you can get up to a full four-year scholarship plus an annual stipend. ROTC graduates also enter the services as officers. You can try ROTC for two years with no obligation. Ask at your college or local recruiting office for details.

Service academies
Service academies offer a quality education with technical and liberal arts majors available. Cadets earn a monthly salary while at the academies and earn a commission upon graduation. Acceptance to the academies is competitive.

Navy College Assistance/Student Headstart (CASH)
High school and college students can earn Navy pay and benefits while attending college for up to 12 months if interested in the Navy and qualify for the nuclear, missile technician or submarine electronics computer fields.

Tuition assistance
All of the services offer up to 100 percent of tuition costs for courses taken while off duty at accredited institutions.

Community College of the Air Force
The Community College of the Air Force provides two-year educational programs to enlisted members of the active duty Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserves. These programs combine Air Force technical training with general education course work from civilian accredited colleges.

Montgomery GI Bill
Veterans can earn money from the Montgomery GI Bill if honorably discharged and have a high school diploma or GED, or in some cases 12 hours of college credit. The bill also provides money for degree and certificate programs, flight training, apprenticeships and correspondence courses.

Army & Navy College Funds
The College Fund, also known as a “GI Bill kicker,” can nearly double the value of the GI Bill. Qualifications and amounts vary from service to service. This benefit is available for both active duty and reserve servicemembers.
 
Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves
Members of the Reserves or National Guard can also collect money through the Montgomery GI Bill-Selected Reserves. You may use this money for degree programs, certificate or correspondence courses, cooperative training, independent study, apprenticeships and vocational flight training.

This article reprinted from Military.com, your online resource for all things military. Visit the no-cost, no-obligation site to learn about the process and benefits of joining from those who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

What is the military? In simple terms, the U.S. Armed Forces are made up of the five service branches: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy.

There are two general categories of military service: active duty (full-time servicemembers), and reserve and guard forces (normally serve one weekend a month, but may occasionally be called to full-time military duty).

Who runs the military? The president is the commander in chief. He makes all final decisions, but Congress has a role in determining issues like pay and benefits. Most military policies are determined by the Department of Defense (DoD), which has control over the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force. The Department of Homeland Security has control over the Coast Guard.

What does the military do? Each branch of the military has a unique mission within the overall mission of U.S. security and peace. Here they are in a nutshell.

Air Force
The Air Force’s main focus is aerospace superiority and rapid global mobility; the ability to engage adversary targets anywhere, anytime; and the ability to rapidly position forces anywhere in the world.

Although the Air Force is focused on flying, there are many jobs that range from security to electronics. If you like flying and/or working with flight systems and technology, the Air Force may be for you.

Army
The Army generally deals with land-focused missions. Soldiers can deploy to a conflict area, engage and overwhelm the enemy, and ensure that peace and security have been established. The Army is chiefly used for missions that require great team effort, focus and persistence.

The Army has the widest range of jobs of all the service branches. If you like the idea of ensuring peace and security through land- and river-based operations and being part of a huge team, the Army may be for you.

Coast Guard
Coast Guard missions include homeland security, marine environmental protection, force protection, search and rescue, law enforcement, and maintaining the world’s navigation systems.

The Coast Guard, like the Marine Corps, is a small, tightly knit service. If you like law enforcement, assuring security, a peace-time mission, and working as a member of a small elite team, the Coast Guard may be for you.

Marine Corps
The Marine Corps is known as the U.S. rapid-reaction force. They are trained to fight by sea and land, and usually are the first “boots on the ground.” Marines are known as the world’s fiercest warriors.

Of all the branches, none are as proud as the Marines. Marines are a highly exclusive, highly motivated bunch. Those who become Marines do so because they want to, not because of benefits or other reasons. If you like the idea of performing missions on land and sea (and even in the air), if you place values and honor above yourself, enjoy mental and physical challenges, and would be excited to be among the first “on the scene,” you may be Marine material.

Navy
The Navy accomplishes its missions primarily by sea, but also by air and land. It secures and protects the oceans around the world to create peace and stability, making the seas safe for travel and trade.

The Navy is primarily focused on sea missions. The Navy provides some of the highest job satisfaction of all the services. Many different types of jobs are available in the Navy. Tradition, brotherhood and pride are well very much a part of being a sailor. If you enjoy challenges by sea, land, and/or air, enjoy traveling the world, but are also searching for mental challenge and great job training, the Navy may be right for you.

This article reprinted from Military.com, the largest military and veteran membership organization.

Books? Bought. Tuition? Paid. Fees? Covered.

From fees to finance textbooks, how would you like the military to pick up your college tab? Serving in the military can entitle you to monthly stipends and tuition assistance for college.

But the money isn’t just forked over. You may have to take a qualifying test, serve several years of active duty and pick an accredited school. Here’s what you’d get for your service.

Tuition assistance
Each branch of the military offers tuition assistance to qualifying servicemembers. Depending on the branch, tuition assistance can provide up to $4,500 per year for college. Servicemembers can use tuition assistance while serving on active duty, but they must receive clearance from their superior officer.

Retired Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Terry Howell is now the senior content manager for Military.com. He says that tuition assistance is readily available as long as you avoid some common mistakes.

“Accreditation is the biggest issue,“ Howell says.

Servicemembers also need to make sure their academic program is approved by their superiors.

“I knew guys who would take the course and try to get the military to pay for their tuition. You can’t do it in that order. You have to get it pre-approved,” Howell says.

Active duty servicemembers using tuition assistance shouldn’t expect to start classes right after boot camp. Howell says servicemembers first need to learn their military job. The training and transition period could take up to two years.

Free college credit
Servicemembers may be able to work toward an associate’s degree without even stepping into a classroom. Howell says students can earn credit for their military job experience.

Sgt. Major Brian Forney earned his degree while serving full-time in the National Guard.

Forney enlisted on his 17th birthday and says he is amazed at how the education benefits have improved. One new program, for example, allows National Guard Reserves to participate in the College First option. This program allows a reservist to attend school for two years uninterrupted, Forney says.

Montgomery GI Bill
All servicemembers can receive benefits from the Montgomery GI Bill.

To qualify for a monthly “kicker” stipend of up to $950 a month, servicemembers take placement tests and contribute $100 a month to the fund for 12 months and serve at least two years. After separation from active duty, students have 10 years to use the GI Bill.
 

Education benefits
Here’s how to find out more about the military’s education benefits.
• 1-888-GI BILL1: This hotline can tell a soldier if a college is accredited.
• Military.com: Learn about education benefits and compare options between branches.
• Navy.com: Learn about Navy education benefits.
• GoArmy.com: Read about education options for reserve and active duty soldiers.
• Marines.com: This Web site has information about education benefits for active duty soldiers.
• Airforce.com: Explains education benefits for both enlisted airmen and officers.
• GoCoastGuard.com: Read about education options for reserve and active duty members.
• 1800GoGuard.com: Get the details about the Army National Guard’s tuition assistance program, including College First.
• GoAng.com: Find the educational benefits of the Air National Guard at this Web site.
 

The meeting was over before it began when a student interested in joining the Navy brought his new puppy to his interview with Senior Chief Jeff Priest.

“We had to ask him to leave. It is a professional organization.

We don’t need pets running around,” Priest says.

The puppy owner isn’t the only military hopeful who didn’t understand how to act around a recruiter. Priest says another Navy applicant walked into the recruiting center with a large lizard on his shoulder. Pets aren’t welcome, and the applicant wasn’t allowed to interview.

“If you are going to show up with a puppy at the job interview, you’re not needed,” Priest says.

What the military’s looking for
Instead of clueless applicants, the military is looking for students with strong grades who want to attend college. “The military is no longer a last-choice option, because of our stricter standards, because of our opportunity to go to college,” Priest says.

Great grades is just one qualification. Gunnery Sgt. James Connolly with the U.S. Marines says the military is looking for students who are also mentally and physically healthy. Connolly says soldiers as young as 21 and 22 are working on multimillion-dollar equipment. “If you don’t have the street smarts or the education to handle this stuff, it’s not a good fit,” he says.

The military also has physical requirements. Connolly says some students have to train to pass the physical exam. “They may be 50 pounds overweight, but if they show heart and determination, we can work with them,” he says.

Qualifying students have to show their professionalism and maturity to recruiters. Sgt. First Class Richard Byrd with the U.S. Army says students don’t need to dress formally, but they must look appropriate.

“Not tank tops, cut-offs, short shorts or halter tops. Nothing that could get anyone in trouble,” Byrd says.


What to expect at a meeting
When first meeting a recruiter, Byrd says you should shake hands. Priest says you should expect the first meeting to last an hour, and you should come prepared with questions. Students who take the time to create a list of questions show recruiters that they’re interested and serious about the military. One student, for example, came in with a list of thoughtful questions; Priest says it showed intelligence.

“I knew I wanted her on my team. She’s still in the Navy until this day,” he says.
Priest recommends meeting with recruiters from all four branches. “The Navy strongly encourages you to talk to all four,” Priest says. “There are some branches that will spend the full interview talking to you about their misconceptions of the other branches.”

Having a list of prepared questions can get recruiters back to talking about their branch, not the others. Ask about the commitment, benefits and “boot camp,” or basic training. Ask about the mental and physical requirements required. If you’re out of shape, you may have plenty of time to begin a training program. Connolly says a Marine recruiter will give a student a sample program to follow.

Not for you?
After meeting with a recruiter, you may feel like the military is not a good fit for you. If that’s the case, Byrd says to be up front with the recruiter so no time is wasted. “Just be honest and say, ‘At this present time, I choose not to go further with this option,’ ” Byrd says. “Unfortunately, kids will not answer the phone, or set up meetings and not come.”

The military will ask you to reveal any past drug problems or criminal history. And you’re expected to answer honestly. “We will find out if you are lying,” Priest says. “Retention is extremely high and articulation is really low. We can be selective.”

You can continue meeting with recruiters until you’ve made a decision. Recruiters will also meet with parents and answer their questions or concerns. “The more questions you ask, the better informed you will become,” Priest says.

Recruiters can’t:
• Force a student to sign any document.
• Promise a student they’ll get the military job they want.
• Promise where a student will be stationed.
• Waive any enlistment requirements.

Joining the military is a big decision, and recruiters say it’s not the best choice for everyone. Learn more about the lifestyle and career from the contacts below.

Air Force: The Air Force calls its recruiters advisers. At AirForce.com, you can do a quick search to find the nearest recruitment center. You can also chat online with an adviser or fill out a form to request more information. The website also answers questions about commitment, benefits and life in the Air Force. Or, call (800) 423-USAF (423-8723).

Army: The Army’s website, GoArmy.com, answers questions about service options, commitment and benefits. It also has a “live chat” option through which you can asks recruiters questions. No computer? Call (800) USA-ARMY (872-2769) and ask to speak with a recruiter
in your area.

Coast Guard: The U.S. Coast Guard website, GoCoastGuard.com, has a local recruiter search and information about the Coast Guard’s responsibilities. The site also answers questions about benefits and entry requirements. Call the Coast Guard at (800) 438-USCG
(438-8724.)

Marines: The Marine Corps website, Marines.com, has a parent guide, information about life in the Corps and an interactive history of the Corps. Fill out an online form to request more information, or call (800) MARINES (627-4637).

Navy: Visit Navy.com to read more about life in the Navy. The website has an interactive quiz, the Life Accelerator, to help students focus their career interests. Students can also do a quick search to find local recruiting centers or do an online chat with a recruiter.
Call the Navy at (800) USA-NAVY (872-6289).

Wisconsin, 1986: Ann Knabe enlists in the Air Force Reserves during her freshman year of college. “I had no idea what I was getting into. I joined for the money and the opportunity to see the world. I have benefited over and over from that,” says Knabe, now a major.

California, 1987: Jay Delarosa joins the Marine Corp Reserves at 17 years old. “I joined for the challenge, and I also wanted to go to college at the same time,” says Delarosa, a captain. “I went for the toughest challenge I found.”

Connecticut, 2003: Amanda Ponn joins the Army National Guard on her 17th birthday. “I joined the Army mainly for patriotic reasons,” she says. “I love this country and felt that the best way for me to show my support for America was to join the military.”

There are plenty of options to serve the country part time. The U.S. Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marines and Navy all have Reserve units. The Air Force and Army also have National Guard units. Joining any branch can mean money for school, job training and travel opportunities.

And there are plenty of students who become part-time soldiers. In 2005, more than half a million soldiers served in the Air Force National Guard, Air Force Reserves, Army National Guard, Army Reserves, Coast Guard Reserves, Marine Corp Reserves and Navy Reserves.

All the branches require drills for one weekend a month and two weeks a year. And both the Reserves and National Guard can call soldiers into active duty if necessary.

For their service, National Guard soldiers may receive free tuition (varies by state) while also collecting monthly money from the Montgomery GI Bill and a special “kicker” check. Reservists also receive money from the GI Bill and kicker. Depending on the branch, students might also receive tuition assistance.

Despite the benefits, Delarosa says money is not a good enough reason to join. “The Marines aren’t about the benefits,” he says. “We’re about taking responsibility for your actions, growing up, developing as a person.”

For Knabe, joining the Air Force Reserves as a college freshman helped her gain confidence. “When I joined, I basically had the clothes on my back and a suitcase. That was it,” she says. She
had never been on an airplane and took out a student loan for her first semester’s tuition.

Nineteen years later, Knabe has traveled to South America and Europe as a public affairs specialist. She’s also a public relations instructor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater and says she is able to relate her stories as real-world examples to her students.

Ponn, 19, is assigned to public affairs for her unit. But she’s also a pre-vet major and hopes to one day have her own practice. “Even though I joined mainly for patriotic reasons, it doesn’t hurt that my school is now paid for and I’ve made awesome friends!” she says.

She met those friends during basic training, a 10-week boot camp. “Basic training was a great experience. I had the chance to meet and work with people from all over the country,” she says. “The camaraderie I have experienced in the Army is comparable to being on a very dedicated and bonded sports team.”

Because she hasn’t been deployed, Ponn only has to spend one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer at drill. She’s paid for the drill, almost like a part-time job.

Knabe is required to serve the same as Ponn, but says most reservists volunteer for triple the amount of time on volunteer missions. In September, 2005, Knabe went to New Orleans for Hurricane Katrina relief efforts. Her job was to get the media in and out of the city.
Knabe does most of her drills during the summer. For students who have an upcoming drill weekend, planning ahead can help avoid academic problems.

“If you have an exam and a drill weekend, you might have to negotiate the time you take the exam,” Delarosa says.

At some schools, Reserve students can also join the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). Ponn is also in the Army ROTC, which means more responsibilities when school is in session. Three mornings a week, she has a one-hour physical training session. She also has a two-hour class each week and a four-hour class that meets once or twice each month.

It’s a busy schedule, but Ponn says she has never been in better physical condition. Travel is another perk, though Delarosa says, “Most of the time, you’re working.”

And a soldier can either get stuck with a low-morale unit or get lucky with a high-energy group. “It varies from unit to unit,” Delarosa says.

Either way, Delarosa recommends that if you’re considering the Reserves or National Guard, don’t get caught up in the sales pitches about the benefits like free tuition or travel. “For the Marine Corps, it’s selling the lifestyle and institution,” he says.

So, What is Boot Camp All About?

Are  you considering entering the military after high school? Before you can call yourself a member of one of the five branches, you have to go through basic training. Often referred to as “boot camp,” this process can last anywhere from six to 12 weeks. Take a look at this helpful information that may shed light on the question of what boot camp is and guide you on your way to serving your country.

How do I know what branch to enlist in?

There are five branches of the U.S. military. They are the Army, Navy, AirForce, Marine Corps and Coast Guard. Each branch accomplishes different things. For example, the Navy defends the country on water, whereas the Air Force specializes in combat aboard aircraft.

Each military branch has challenging basic training programs designed to turn civilians into soldiers. Officials make sure each component tests you physically and mentally. Recruits complete a series of physical tests(PTs) and obstacle courses throughout their training. The tests prepare the body physically, and the obstacle courses build teamwork. Each branch also gives recruits instruction in marksmanship and offers courses such as stress management, fraternization and military civil rights. If you think you can avoid midterm or final exams by entering the military, you’re mistaken.

What happens during boot camp?

All basic training programs teach you to do what you’re told, when you’re told and how you’re told—without complaint. During basic training, you’ll have little free time because the military occupies a majority of your day (from 4:45 a.m. to around 9 or 10 p.m.)

During boot camp, the military forces you to give up the luxuries you may be used to so you can focus 110 percent on your training.

Take it from me

Spc. Melissa Baker,20, went through nine weeks of Army basic training in Fort Jackson,S.C. She says, “You can push yourself through it physically. Completing basic training is not an unachievable feat.”

Baker admits to being scared initially. “I didn’t know what to expect at first. The images from ‘Full Metal Jacket’ kept running through my mind. I thought it would be impossible.”

Baker says she took away a lot from her experiences at “boot camp.” “The best part of the whole process is that it builds teamwork,” she says. “You make each other better.”

Spc. Nathan Armstrong also went through nine weeks of Army basic training in Fort Jackson,S.C. When he entered basic training, he was a 17-year-old who wanted his “own set of rules and to see the world. My recruiter told me exactly what to expect,” he says.

Once Armstrong arrived at Fort Jackson, he went through processing, which is known as “reception”in the Army—a period he found to be fairly laid back. However, that lull didn’t last for long. Armstrong and his fellow recruits soon became immersed in training. He learned marksmanship, completed obstacle courses, and made a lot of friends in the process.

He put those skills to use during three weeks in Kuwait and seven months in Iraq. He was only 10 miles away from Baghdad in 2003 when the statue of Saddam Hussein fell.

For those of you who are apprehensive about boot camp, Armstrong has this advice: “Don’t worry. Go with good intentions and experience it for what it’s worth,” he says.

Also, don’t stand out in a crowd. “If the drill sergeants know you, they’re going to pick on you.”

In addition to helping you mature, Armstrong says the military “teaches you responsibility for yourself.”

 Basic Training Preparation Tips:

• If you smoke or use tobacco, quit!

• Follow the list from your recruiter of what to/not to bring.

• Memorize ranks and core values of the branch.

• Get in shape by running and doing situps and pushups.

• Certain branches require skills in swimming.

• Don’t stand out physically upon arrival.

• Know your Social Security number.

• Set up a bank account; payment during basic training is done through direct deposit.

• Boot camp is a mind game. It is designed to take the civilian out of you, so don’t feel intimidated.

• Stay positive. Remember all the men and women who have gone before you and succeeded.

• Leave excuses at the door. Teachers and parents don’t like excuses; military officials dislike them even more. Instead of giving an excuse or explanation, you’re better off saying “Yes, Sir/Ma’am.”

• Do what you’re told. Remember, this is not the time or place to make your own rules.

• Be determined. Forty percent of those who enlist in the military do not make it through the first four years; many don’t even finish boot camp. Therefore, it’s important to stay focused and determined so you can be part of that 60 percent who do make it!

Sponsored By: National Guard

Serve your country, learn a skill, and earn money for college with a career in the military. There are several options for students who are considering a military service career: the National Guard, several branches and jobs to choose from, even officer training through an ROTC program or a military college.

The best way to find out which military career path is right for you is to talk to a military recruiter in your area. Remember, military careers aren't limited to being a soldier. There are opportunities for doctors, engineers, pilots, computer specialists, communications professionals and more!