Joining the military can be fulfilling, and it’s an excellent way to develop new skills and form important connections. However, the military isn’t for everybody, and the lifestyle can be undesirable for some people.

If you’re thinking about making a career for yourself in the armed forces, you should learn more about what you can expect before making a long-term commitment. We’ll walk you through the most important things to know before joining, the benefits of a career in the military, and a little more about how the enlistment process works.

6 Things to Consider or Know Before Joining the Military

Before you meet with a recruiter, there are various factors you need to consider. We’ve compiled a list of some of the most important factors so you can make the best decision for your future:

1. Consider Your Self-Motivation

A career in the military is life-changing, and you’ll want to be sure you’re enlisting for the right reasons. If you’re being pressured into joining, you might lack the motivation to excel in your career, or you might not enjoy your work.

Before you start the process of joining any branch, consider the reasons you want to join. You should feel confident that this is a life decision you want to make and it’s not something you’re being talked into doing, whether it's by family, friends, or other loved ones. Before you meet a recruiter, you should be able to clearly articulate the reasons you want to join.

2. Prioritize Physical Fitness

When recruits are shipped off to boot camp or basic training, they’ll endure rigorous physical training to prepare them for their career. Each branch will have specific physical fitness requirements, which you don’t want to take you by surprise.

If you’re considering joining the military in any capacity, you should consider getting into good shape. The better your physical fitness and habits with working out are, the better off you’ll be if you decide to join the military. A solid fitness routine and physique will help you tremendously once you make it to boot camp.

3. Reflect on Your Personal Initiative

When you’re considering joining the military, you’ll want to also think about your future, including your career and where you’d like to be in 10 to 20 years. The work you do in the military will impact your future job prospects, so consider what you might want to do in your future career. If you want a specific career after the military, you can look into a job that will give you qualifiable experience.

You should also consider what’s going on in the world since it has a big impact on what goes on in the armed forces. Big world events could affect your assignment, so be sure to do plenty of research before you make the final decision to join. Looking at stories about military missions or talking to veterans can help you get a better idea of how world events can impact your career and what you can expect.

4. Think About Your History

The military prides itself on good order and discipline with its troops. Before you’re allowed to join, you’ll undergo a background check to ensure there are no disqualifying events from your past. A criminal past can be a disqualifier, but it’s possible to receive waivers for some offenses. A recruiter would be able to give you the information you need to determine if you can join with a record.

You should also consider your medical history. Some medical conditions or surgeries can be disqualifying, but there’s also a chance for getting a waiver if your medical history won’t impact your service. Additionally, drug use will be tested and the military has a strict policy against recreational drugs. If you’re taking prescription medication and decide to join the military, you’ll need to bring your prescription with you during the enlistment process.

5. Familiarize Yourself With the Lifestyle

The military lifestyle is unique, and it’s not for everyone. The military prioritizes discipline, which starts in basic training and continues throughout the entirety of a recruit’s career. You will have to follow the instructions your command gives you, and learning how to be led will be a crucial step in learning how to lead.

Each branch has a unique lifestyle, but you can find out more by talking to active duty personnel or veterans. You can also look online to find more information about each branch and what you can expect in your day-to-day. Learning more about the lifestyle of each branch can help you decide if joining is right for you and what branch you might be interested in.

6. Consider the Commitment

When you join the military, you’ll be committing to a contract that you can’t get out of easily. In the civilian world, you can leave most jobs whenever you want, but if you decide to just leave the military, you’d be going AWOL. To get out of the service, you must be discharged, which is a lengthy process and not easy to achieve.

Since you’ll need to commit to the length of your contract, you’ll want to be certain it's something you want to do before you sign an enlistment contract. Research everything you can about the military before you decide to join, including the branch you’re interested in, different MOSs, the lifestyle, and other facets of military life.

Benefits of Joining the Military

Service members are entitled to a wide variety of benefits, including personal development and plenty of tangible benefits. Some of the most notable benefits include:

●Job training: In the military, everyone receives job training, which will be useful if you decide to pursue a career afterward. If you choose to go to a military school, many have programs with high-tech training to give you a head start once you leave.

●Education: The military actively encourages their troops to seek further education, which is why they offer financial assistance to those who enlist. Service members are eligible for the Post-9/11 GI Bill, college credits for training, tuition assistance, and loan repayments to help shoulder the cost of higher education.

●Allowances: Service members are eligible for allowances during their service, which are included in their paychecks on top of their base pay. Allowances vary but can include a Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and a Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS).

●Paid vacation time: Each year, service members receive 30 days or 1 month of paid vacation, which is more than many civilian careers.

●TRICARE: Active duty personnel automatically receive free health care, which includes medical and dental. These benefits are also extended to their immediate family, but there may be an enrollment fee and annual deductible.

●Retirement: The military encourages service members to prepare for their future, which includes saving for their retirement. Once someone joins the military, they receive automatic coverage through the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System (BRS). During your time in the service, 3% of your base pay is placed in a Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) and after two years, the military will start matching your contribution.

●VA benefits: You can find several benefits through the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), which includes things like disability compensation, home loans, educational assistance, and more.

●Discounts or special deals: Some companies offer military discounts or special deals to service members, including active duty and retired.

How to Start a Career in the Military

If you’re interested in joining the military, there will be a few steps you need to follow:

1. Talk to a Recruiter

Meeting with a recruiter for the branch you want to join will be your first step to joining the military. A recruiter knows the specifics of enlisting and will help you decide if joining is right for you. Your recruiter will lay out the next steps for enlisting, but remember to come in with questions for your recruiter so you have as much information as possible.

2. Take the ASVAB

If you haven’t already, you’ll need to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which is a placement test to help you determine what jobs are best for you in the military. You can study for the ASVAB beforehand if you’re trying to target a specific MOS so you can score well in specific sections of the test.

3. Visit a MEPS

After talking with a recruiter and taking the ASVAB, you’ll need to show up to your nearest Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Here, you’ll finish the enlistment process, which includes a physical exam to determine if you’re fit for service.

4. Choose an MOS

Before you sign your contract, you can choose a career field or MOS based on your qualifications from the ASVAB and the needs of the branch you’re joining. There are hundreds of positions available in the armed forces, so you’ll want to choose your MOS carefully so you’re getting the experience and fulfillment you want out of your military career.

Some jobs require you to complete additional schooling after basic training, while others may send you to your duty station for training. Consider whether you’re willing to go back to school to before starting your career or if you want to jump right into your life as a new recruit.

5. Sign a Contract and Prepare for Basic Training

Now that you’ve finished the enlistment steps, you’ll have a contract to sign, which states the length of time you’ll serve along with your MOS and any other necessary information. Once you’ve signed the contract you’ll prepare for basic training, where you’ll finally start your military career. You’ll undergo physical and mental training to prepare for the military lifestyle. If you haven’t already, you should take time to get into shape so the process isn’t as grueling as it could be.

Let MLC Help You Prepare for Your New Career

If you’ve decided to join the armed forces, Military Luggage Company has your back. Every service member needs the right set of tactical gear to help them conquer their training exercises, missions, and other military operations. We stock a wide selection of high-quality bags, packs, and cases for nearly any occasion. Shop by branch, color, or need to get the exact selection of tactical gear you need for your military career, or contact us with any questions!