You’ve decided to enlist in the military and are ready to start your career. However, there are a few important steps you should take shortly after joining to ensure you’re well-prepared for your career.

For most people, the transition into the military will create unique challenges that will take some time and effort to adjust to, so it’s important to prepare. You will have to adjust to a different lifestyle and culture, which can be difficult if you’re used to a particular way of life. You will also need to adapt to your career and new responsibilities, which is likely different from anything you’ve done before.

Preparing for your military career can help you overcome the obstacles many new recruits face, giving you the opportunity to focus on your job and develop valuable skills. Below, you’ll learn more about the different steps you can take to adequately prepare for your future in the military.

8 Things to Do After Joining the Military

There are several things you can do to prepare for your career in the military to make it a successful and seamless transition into the Armed Forces. Below are just a few steps you can take after joining the military to prepare for your new and exciting career:

1. Start Planning Your Finances

One of the first things you should do when joining the military is start planning your finances. If you’re joining right out of high school, this may be the first job you’ve ever had and the first steady income you’ll make.

The first step should be setting up a direct deposit at a bank that can support the needs of your new military career, meaning you have access to your funds wherever your career takes you. There are many financial institutions you can choose from that are supportive and understand the lifestyle our troops lead, including local credit unions and federal banking institutions. Make sure to conduct your research to find a bank that supports your military and personal needs.

Once you have your direct deposit set up, it’s time to start budgeting. You should account for all the costs you expect to have on a monthly basis, such as:

●Rent or mortgage payments

●Utilities

●Internet

●Phone usage

●Food

●Childcare

●Monthly savings

Keep in mind that if you enlist in the military and have no dependents, you’ll be required to live on base until you reach a certain rank, which means you won’t have any rent or utility payments to worry about. Budgeting can make it easier to reach your financial goals and make sure no expenses take you by surprise. You can even budget to save for specific financial goals, such as buying a new car, putting a down payment on a home, or setting up an emergency fund.

If you go to make any big purchases, you want to make an effort to avoid predatory loans. There are several lenders who will try to offer service members loans with high interest rates, which will increase your monthly costs and have you paying significantly more than necessary to eliminate the debt. If there’s an emergency and you need cash, there are military aid groups you can contact to assist you with your expenses.

2. Draft a Will and Manage Power of Attorney

Even if you start your career in the military with very little, you will start to accumulate things over time. You never know what can happen, so you want to ensure that your belongings and money go to the right people in the event of your death. You can find plenty of information on creating a will and can even find places that will help service members create a will or estate plan at no cost.

You will also want to consider giving a loved one your power of attorney, such as a spouse or parent. Power of attorney allows someone else to act on your behalf in various matters, such as regarding financial decisions and healthcare. It’s particularly useful to have power of attorney established when you’re going to be away from home for long periods, such as on missions or deployments.

3. Familiarize Yourself with Military Life

Military life is going to be different than what you’re used to in the civilian world, and the changes can be disorienting for some. Taking some time to familiarize yourself with what life will be like in the military can ease the transition, making it easier to adjust and adapt. You can start by conducting some research on military customs or protocols, and there are plenty of forums online where you can talk with current and former service members to learn more.

You should also investigate your specific installation and the amenities and resources offered to service members and their families. Consider looking into the surrounding area so you know what’s available to you, such as shopping centers, recreational facilities, local activities, and more. If you need guidance regarding military life or information about your new duty station, you can connect with your recruiter for more details.

4. Take Advantage of Your TSP

While many young people don’t think about retirement, the best way to plan for it is to start saving early and as often as you can. The more you have saved, the better off you’ll be once you reach retirement age. Service members have access to a unique way to save for retirement that’s like a 401k, which is called the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP).

The amount you contribute to your TSP will be matched to a certain percentage by the military. Even if you choose not to contribute anything to your TSP, the Department of Defense will still automatically contribute 1% to your retirement savings.

Ideally, you’ll want to contribute around 10% of your pay to your TSP. If this seems like a lot at the start, it’s more important that you’re saving something rather than nothing. You can always adjust your TSP contribution at any point if you divide to increase the amount.

5. Prepare for Basic Training

One of the first things you do when you enlist in the military is attend basic training, which is where you’ll learn the base knowledge for your new career. Before you go, you should make sure you meet the physical fitness requirements of your specific branch so you’re not struggling when you make it to basic training.

Your next step would be making a list of everything you need, gathering them, and making sure they’re packed and ready to go. Keep in mind there are quite a few prohibited items at basic training, so you’ll want to do your research and figure out what these are before you pack so you don’t accidentally bring something you’re not supposed to.

Finally, you want to mentally prepare for what you’ll experience at basic. While there will be plenty of physical challenges, the mental challenges can be just as demanding and often take a lot of people by surprise. Being away from home for long periods and undergoing physical challenges can put a lot of mental stress on a person, so it’s important to prepare in advance.

6. Utilize Military Benefits

When you join the military, you and your benefits will be able to access an impressive range of benefits, such as comprehensive healthcare, education, on-base shopping, free recreational centers, paid time off, and more. Your dependents will even get access to some of these benefits, so it’s important to familiarize yourself with them so you can take full advantage of what the military has to offer.

Being a service member also means you’ll be able to use military discounts at various businesses, providing extra savings that can significantly add up over time. Restaurants, retail stores, services, and many other businesses offer military discounts as their way to support our troops, so it’s likely you’ll be able to find plenty of deals for you and your family.

7. Maintain Your Well-Being

Caring for your well-being is important when you’re making a big life change, and joining the military will have a massive impact on your life. The better you care for yourself and your health, the easier it will be to adapt to your new lifestyle.

First, you should make sure you’re taking care of your physical health. Make sure you’re getting enough rest each night, eating healthy, and exercising to keep your body in good shape throughout your military career. You’ll also want to take care of your mental health by staying in touch with loved ones, engaging in enjoyable hobbies, and any other activities that make you feel happy and healthy. Try to avoid using substances like alcohol as the long-term effects can have a negative impact on your physical and mental health.

If you find that you’re having difficulty adjusting or feel like your mental health is taking a downward turn, you can always talk to a mental health professional. You’ll have access to these professional resources on base at no cost to you, and since these providers work with service members regularly, they’ll be able to better understand what you’re going through.

8. Protect What Matters

It’s important to protect your loved ones, possessions, and your life once you get in the military. You can do this by finding the right insurance for your needs. First, you’ll want to invest in a good life insurance policy. Part of being in the military means exposing yourself to potentially dangerous situations, so you want to be covered in case something happens.

The next thing you’ll want to cover are your belongings, ensuring you and your loved ones are covered in the event of theft, fires, floods, or accidents. Renters insurance and auto insurance can cover you if something happens, helping reimburse you for the cost of your items. Your loved ones will also benefit from this in case something happens to their belongings, as long as they’re covered under your policy.

Let MLC Help You with Your Gear Needs During Your Military Career

On top of everything we’ve listed above, you will also want to have the right gear to support you during your operations. Military Luggage Company has your back with our wide selection of gear for all your needs, ranging from duffles and assault packs to kit bags and rucksacks. At MLC, we personally vet all our bags, packs, and cases to ensure they meet the strict standards of our troops, so you can trust they have the quality and durability necessary to withstand your daily operations and long-term missions. You can get started by browsing our complete selection, or contact us today with any of your questions.