Serving in the armed forces is a noble career path, pursued by people from all walks of life. The goal of the Armed Forces is to maintain a force sufficient to deter, fight, and overcome various threats or conflicts in multiple regions at the same time. … You're probably thinking about the enlisted troops. Personnel must be prepared to work additional hours to fulfill missions. The best thing about the Army is that there are many different avenues to each goal. Every once in awhile we do some Call of Duty type training, but it’s the exception, rather than the rule. Members deployed to combat zones or those who work in dangerous areas, such as the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, face a higher risk of injury or death. The author, Maj. M.L. Some may wonder how the military could be declining in average intelligence, especially in its officer corps, when a large percentage of mid-career and senior officers now possess … Some construction personnel specialize in an area such as plumbing, electrical wiring, or water purification. Selection to attend Warrant Officer Candidate School is highly competitive and is restricted to those who meet rank and length-of-service requirements. Officers can also be promoted to higher ranks, which may include the command of a military unit of both enlisted members and officers, or being in charge of an entire military base. For example, they receive additional pay for foreign, hazardous, submarine, or flight duty, or for being medical or dental officers. They may be in charge of tanks and other armored assault vehicles, artillery systems, special operations, or infantry units. Survival equipment specialists inspect, maintain, and repair survival equipment, such as parachutes and aircraft life-support equipment. They operate and command an aircraft or a ship: Not sure how to choose the best career for you? Most of us only know what it’s like from video games and movies, but what’s the day to day work in the U.S. Army actually like? I am not sure if this career is right for me. For example, meteorologists in the military may study the weather to assist in planning flight paths for aircraft. To become an officer, you have three choices: ROTC, West Point, or Officer Candidate School. This information is taken directly from the Occupational Outlook Handbook published by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. All branches of the Armed Forces require their members to be high school graduates or have equivalent credentials. Personality Test (Myers & Briggs' 16 Types), Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences, U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Participate in, or support, military operations, such as combat or training operations, or humanitarian or disaster relief, Plan, organize, and lead troops and activities in military operations, Operate and command aircraft, ships, or armored vehicles, Provide medical, legal, engineering, and other services to military personnel. Engineering, science, and technical personnel perform a variety of tasks, such as operating technical equipment, solving problems, and collecting and interpreting information. The Building interest area indicates a focus on working with tools and machines, and making or fixing practical things. Most active-duty military personnel live and work on or near military bases and facilities throughout the United States and the world. This can make attempts at personal life-work balance tricky at best. Powerhouse mechanics install, maintain, and repair electrical and mechanical equipment in power-generating stations. As the cohesion of the unit builds through my investment, we accomplish the mission faster and can accomplish more, with less direction, making my job easier. Being disciplined about both the note taking and the follow-up is what has helped me succeed. However, hours vary with the personâs occupational specialty, rank, and branch of service, as well as with the needs of the military. It’s surprising how quickly you forget about something, when you don’t write it down. It takes almost twice as long to prepare for training as it does to execute the actual training. Similar to many jobs in corporate America, my job requires frequent travel, late nights, and an often unpredictable schedule. This can get a bit complicated, so I wrote a full guide that covers the service requirements for retiring as an officer. In fact, the starting pay for a Navy Ensign is about $37,000 a year. In the Marine Corps, the maximum age is 29. There are also a few training experiences that are absolutely exhilarating; firing the main gun of a tank, an Air Assault operation, and artillery are thrills you can’t replicate anywhere else. They also direct food service facilities and other support activities. Many high schools offer the exam as a way for students to explore the possibility of a military career. Some plan, develop, and direct the activities of military bands. The military distinguishes between enlisted and officer careers. In my position, I am in charge of a Troop (think corporate mid-size business); 88 people work for me, so my hours can be egregious. Members who serve for a certain number of years may receive other benefits. Sometimes I get it wrong and those circumstances turn into a learning point. An Army officer leads a platoon, company, division, brigade, corps, command or battalion in the Indian Army, depending on his/her rank.The Army broadly has three arms — for fighting, support, and service. Training specialists and instructors teach military personnel how to perform their jobs. Army Soldiers are some of the most inspiring people you will ever work with. Who should I contact? Not Just Police Officers The Military Police and Masters at Arms in the Navy lead, manage, supervise, and perform force protection duties, including use of deadly force to protect personnel and resources. As an officer in the U.S. Army, you will be expected to carry a heavy burden of responsibility for the men and women under your command. Sometimes I don’t have any data to back those instincts, which is when I take risks. Training and education directors identify training needs and develop and manage educational programs. Some personnel, however, are rarely deployed near combat areas. In addition to receiving basic pay, members of the military are either housed free of charge on base or they receive a housing allowance. And yes some officers are on the front line, or outside the wire (have pictures of a female medical officer … This excellent resource for occupational data is published by the U.S. Department of Labor every two years. Most active-duty programs have first-term enlistments of 4 years, although there are some 2-, 3-, and 6-year programs. A recruiter can help a prospective service member determine whether he or she qualifies for enlistment or as an officer. Officers such as physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and dentists examine, diagnose, and treat patients. Nurses provide and coordinate patient care in military hospitals and clinics. Many days in the Army [are] spent conducting office work. About 8 percent of officers are warrant officers, who are technical and tactical experts in a specific area. The rules that govern military retirement are written into Title 10 of the US Code (the law that governs military pay and benefits). For example, enlisted personnel may become warrant officers if they complete a bachelorâs degree, have several years of experience in higher enlisted positions, and meet age and physical requirements. I also really enjoy working with our allies overseas. Career Spotlight is an interview series on Lifehacker that focuses on regular people and the jobs you might not hear much about—from doctors to plumbers to aerospace engineers and everything in between. A recruiter can also explain the various enlistment options and describe the military occupational specialties. Truity periodically updates our site with information from the BLS database. In short, preparation, training, and more prep. I let those instincts guide me. Various yardsticks suggest the U.S. military – or at least the officer corps, which accounts for 17% of the 1.4 million-strong active-duty force – leans Republican. I take notes, I follow my instincts, and I take risks. Some intelligence officers … The day to day activities are surprisingly mundane. Enlisted personnel typically do the following: The following are examples of types of occupations for enlisted personnel: Administrative personnel maintain information on personnel, equipment, funds, and other military-related activities. In addition, among other things: we volunteer in our communities, we participate in parades, we cut our own grass, and we do non-field training on a variety of subjects. In June 2019, about 41,250 people served in the Coast Guard, which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. Getting to know people, finding out what drives them, learning about their families, and helping them solve their problems builds the cohesion of my team. Navigators use radar, radio, and other navigation equipment to determine their position and plan their route of travel. Military personnel on active duty typically work full time. Food service specialists prepare food in dining halls, hospitals, and ships. Some achieve officer candidacy by completing a degree and training through the federal service academies (Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine) or through the Reserve Officersâ Training Corps (ROTC) programs offered at many colleges and universities. Environmental health and safety specialists inspect military facilities and food supplies to ensure that they are safe for use and consumption. Recruiting managers direct and oversee recruiting personnel and recruiting activities. To become an officer, candidates typically need to have at least a bachelorâs degree, be a U.S. citizen, pass a background check, and meet physical and age requirements. West Point and ROTC are looking to award scholarships to individuals who are balanced and motivated. Public affairs officers respond to public inquiries about military activities and prepare news releases. Officers … Presumably, officers are not who you have in mind when wondering about the background and quality of military members. On this site, you can take the Career Personality Profiler assessment, the Holland Code assessment, or the Photo Career Quiz. Depending on the occupational specialty, members of the military may need to have and maintain civilian licenses or certifications. Emerging conflicts and global events, however, could lead to changes in the size of the military branches. Maintaining our equipment also takes a significant amount of time. Transportation officers manage and perform activities related to the safe transport of military personnel and equipment by air, ground, and water. I quickly learned that no individual can be successful all the time. My instincts aren’t always right, but I take risks to follow them. Other healthcare officers provide therapy, rehabilitative treatment, and additional healthcare for patients: Human resource development officers manage recruitment, placement, and training programs in the military: Media and public affairs officers oversee the development, production, and presentation of information or events for the military and the public. Media and public affairs personnel prepare and present information about military activities to the military and the public. The following are examples of types of officers:Combat specialty officers plan and direct military operations, oversee combat activities, and serve as combat leaders. What they don’t see is the countless hours of paperwork, training, inspections, and other things we do that people wouldn’t expect. Automotive and heavy-equipment mechanics maintain and repair vehicles, such as Humvees, trucks, tanks, and other combat vehicles. Like construction firms or other companies that utilize heavy machinery, safety is of the utmost importance in the Army. How can I decide? Information technology specialists manage and maintain computer and network systems. Pilots in the military fly various types of military airplanes and helicopters to carry troops and equipment. I know instinctively what my organization needs. Members serve in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard, or in the Reserve components of these branches, and in the Air National Guard and Army National Guard. They are experts on all intelligence disciplines and their application across the spectrum of military operations. I wanted to see if I could handle tough experiences, lead soldiers, and prevail despite adversity. They perform technical tasks in information technology, environmental health and safety, or intelligence: Healthcare personnel provide medical services to military personnel and their family members. For example, officers serving as lawyers, also known as judge advocates, may need to have and maintain their state bar licenses to enter and remain in the U.S. military.Â. Much. They also repair bulldozers and other construction equipment. When you join with a college degree in hand, the Military will provide the training you need to become an effective and responsible leader. Please use citation guidelines for webpages without an author available.Â. All rights reserved. Healthcare officers provide medical services to military personnel in order to maintain or improve their health and physical readiness. (The Coast Guard, which is included in this profile, is part of the Department of Homeland Security.). Providing police with military gear does not reduce crime or protect officers: Studies Law enforcement officials say the equipment helps small cash-strapped agencies. 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