Choosing The Military

Choosing The Military

May 24th, 2017 by Chase Pappa

For many, choosing what you want to do with your life is a serious, and unanswered question. After graduation, many seniors will either pursue a college education, join the workforce, or learn a trade. However, there is another path only few take. This path being the U.S. Armed Forces. Currently, less than one percent of the U.S. population is active duty military personnel. Many people when hearing the term "military" have a rush of misinformed thoughts travel to their mind. Many believe if you join the military, they are destined to go to the front lines of battle, and possibly be in critical danger. However, for most members of the Armed Forces, this is not the case. For many, the military is much like having a career in the workforce, the employer is just the government. One example of this is a woman that is addressed as "Petty Officer First Class Alyssa Copp". After graduating from her training she worked as cryptologic technician collection (CTR) and was stationed in Kunia, Hawaii. Later she traveled the world, arriving in many different countries. She has visited Italy, Dubai, Bahrain, and Gibraltar. She developed leadership skills, and had the chance to broaden her horizon. Later, working with her career counselor, she became a construction electrician. There, she moved onto Kuwait, as well as Afghanistan to work on construction projects. There she learned a new culture from the locals of the places she visited. After this, she was selected to work at the White House, even meeting the President of the United States at the time, Barack Obama. Finally, she decided to work as a recruiter in Upstate NY, helping new members integrate into the life of a sailor. Another example would be of "Electrician's Mate Second Class Petty Officer (SW/AW) James Stacy", or, EM2 (SW/AW). EM2 Stacy runs generators and Engines, firefighting systems, and plane charging stations on ships. Essentially, anything electrical falls into his profession. He is also a firefighter for the Navy. He has not traveled the world, however, he has traveled through some of the country. He also has accumulated forty-two college credits through different training, and is currently using tuition assistance through the Navy to become an Electrical Engineer. As one could see, the military provides plenty of opportunities for people to search, and find what they're looking for in life. Along with being able to explore the world, and or country, there are plenty of other benefits to working in the Military. For example, healthcare, food, housing, early retirement, and other assistance programs such as the GI Bill, are available for those who are currently active duty, or are retired veterans. One of the most well known being the GI Bill. With the GI Bill, many are able to afford the costs of receiving a college education to further their lives. The Post 9/11 GI Bill is the most recent, and is qualifying to those who have served 90 aggregate active duty days after September 11, 2001, Honorably discharged, as well as if you discharged with a service-connected disability after 30 days. The GI Bill, along with many other assistance programs are a great way for those who have given part of their life to protect our country. The military is a great route to take for those who want to do their part, or work for a free education. However, not everyone is up for the task, the question is, are you?

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