The Best Reasons to Join the Military

You have a lot of choices in your life, and what you do for a living is one of them. However, it’s one of the more important choices we make as it has a significant impact on what we’re able to do with the rest of our lives. We spend one-third of our lives at work on average, so it’s important to make a good decision when it comes to our careers.

There are a lot of career options out there, and the military is just one of many. However, it’s an honorable career choice and offers many benefits to those who decide to enlist. If you’re trying to decide what you want to do with your career, continue reading to discover why the military makes a good choice. 

Top 10 Reasons to Join the Military

If you’re considering a career in the military but are undecided, some of the reasons below may help you make a choice.

1. Financial and Job Security

When most people are looking for a career, they’re considering their finances and job security. Most people want a job that pays well and doesn’t carry the risk of being laid off or fired unexpectedly. The military provides their troops with a steady paycheck, and their lodging and food are covered by a monthly allowance, so they only have very limited essential expenses throughout the month. As you work through the ranks, your pay will increase. If you have dependents, you will also receive a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) so you can pay to live off base with your loved ones.

You can also trust that your job in the military is secure. Every single one of our troops is important to the safety of our country, and it’s difficult to be separated from the military without doing something wrong. You can trust that your job is safe when you go to work each day, giving you one less thing to worry about. 

2. Education and Training

The military provides its troops with funding to attend higher education, which is galled the G.I. Bill. You can even use the G.I. Bill after you leave the military so you can keep progressing in your career and even be provided BAH so you can focus on your studies. 

During your time in the military, you’ll also receive training for your role and can opt into additional training if you want to develop additional skills. These skills will make it easier to promote yourself in the civilian workforce once you decide to separate or retire from the military. The civilian workforce often doesn’t have these educational and training benefits, which makes the military a unique and beneficial option for your future. 

3. Retirement Savings

When you join the military, you’ll immediately gain access to your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP), which is the military’s version of a 401K. The Department of Defense will contribute to the account, and you can increase your contributions if you want, so you can save for your future. Some jobs in the civilian world don’t offer retirement savings accounts, meaning you’d be the one responsible for your retirement savings without the benefit of employer contributions. 

4. Healthcare and Dental Coverage

It can be hard to find a job in the civilian world that offers healthcare and dental coverage. Those that do often still require you to pay for some of these costs out of pocket. What makes the military different is access to TRICARE, which provides our troops with full coverage so they can use preventative care and treat any illnesses or conditions they may develop. The health of our troops is critical, so the DoD covers the cost of their care to ensure they’re battle-ready.

5. Travel and Vacation Time

Unlike most jobs in the civilian sector, the military provides people with the unique opportunity to travel. You’ll get to see the world and interact with different cultures, helping you build a well-rounded worldview. You will also gain two and a half days of time off every month, which you can use for leave or vacation time. You can let it accrue to take longer vacations, or use it as needed for emergencies or other important needs. Civilian jobs often don’t have vacation time or only offer a week a year, which makes the military a good choice if vacation time is one of your priorities. 

6. Family Support

Some of the benefits you receive as a member of the United States military will also be extended to your family. One of the most important of these is your healthcare coverage, which your dependents can use at an affordable monthly cost. Outside of the benefits, your family will also have a built-in support network from other military families, which can be valuable in dealing with some of the unique differences of military life. 

7. Connections and Networking

While you’re in the military, you’ll develop valuable bonds with other troops you’re serving with. Many of these connections turn into lifelong friendships, which isn’t as common in the civilian world. These bonds are often formed during training or deployments since you’ll have something to bond over that most civilians don’t. 

You’ll also meet people from all walks of life with different connections of their own, which can be valuable for a future civilian career and in any other things you want to pursue in your life. You can contact your network when you need help or when you’re looking for leads for your future. 

8. Physical and Mental Resilience

Being in the military teaches you physical and mental resilience, which can be useful in other parts of your life outside of your career. It will be easier for you to overcome and adapt to challenges you may encounter, making it easier to come up with a game plan and problem solve. Even if you find yourself having a hard time, the military has resources available to help its troops overcome their challenges so they can be the best they can be.

9. Sense of Purpose and Belonging

The military offers troops a clear sense of direction and a purpose, which may be something you’re looking for if you’re unsure about your future career. You’ll have a clear direction and be part of a team that aims to achieve specific goals, allowing you to work toward something meaningful every day.

All the work you do will be alongside other troops who are working toward the same goals. Being part of this team will foster a sense of belonging, which can be hard to find, even if you have a career in the civilian workforce. One of the most notable benefits of the military is its ability to provide structure and meaning to those who feel like that’s something they’re lacking in their lives. 

10. Leadership Development

The military offers plenty of opportunities to its troops for professional growth, and this includes leadership development. As you move up in the ranks, you’ll learn to lead and provide guidance to those who rank below you, which is a valuable skill to have, especially once you get to the point where you’re transitioning out of the military. You can use this skillset to get higher-paying roles once you start looking for a career after your separation or military retirement. 

Start Your Military Career the Right Way With Gear From MLC

If you’ve decided to take the leap and join the military, you’ll need the right gear by your side to support you. At MLC, we offer high-quality gear designed with our troops in mind, including assault packs, rucksacks, wheeled loadout bags, and more. We vet our products personally to ensure they meet the rigorous requirements of military operations, so you can trust they’ll perform in your toughest situations. You can get started by browsing our tactical selection, or contact us today if you have any questions.