Enlisting in the United States Military takes a lot of courage. A military career is not easy – you go through a lot of tough physical and mental challenges. You spend months and sometimes years away from your family and friends. Plus, you can get injured or killed on duty.
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Yet, a lot of brave souls still want to be part of the US armed forces. And we do not blame them at all. Aside from showing undeniable patriotism, they get a lot of benefits as well. It turns out being part of the US military comes with a lot of perks. Read on to see what benefits they enjoy.
Enlistment bonus
The moment you enlist, you get a taste of military benefits right away thanks to the enlistment bonus. This is the first military benefit that you will be getting as a member of the US armed forces.
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During recruitment, do not hesitate to ask the recruitment officer about the enlistment bonus. Take note that the amount of the enlistment bonus will vary depending on which branch is recruiting.
Advanced rank enlistment opportunities
When you first enlist in the military, your ranking will be E-1, which is the lowest pay grade out of nine. But did you know that you can bump up your pay grade when you enlist? If you have the credentials for it, you do not necessarily have to start from the very bottom.
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This can be possible if you have exemptional skills or qualifications. If a recruitment officer thinks that you can handle starting in the military at an advanced level, then that officer can bump you up to an E-2 or E-3.
Specialty training
When you join the US military, you get a chance to do some specialty training and some of them can even be converted into college credits. That’s great news for those who enlisted straight out of high school.
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There are different fields of training available and some are even high tech. US army members are placed in a field depending on their abilities. This way, once they are out of service, they can still get civilian jobs through their specialty training.
College funds
The military is very helpful when it comes to paying for a college education. Whether you are planning to re-enlist or are currently enlisted, you can be eligible to use the Army, Navy, and Marine college funds.
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Through this fund, the military will give you a monthly fee to help you pay for your college experience. Active duty members and reserve service members are the only ones who can use this benefit.
College loan repayment program and student loan deferment program
The military offers the college loan repayment program and student loan deferment program which offers up to $65,000 to help pay off any existing debt. This is a big perk given how much people are still paying their college debt years after graduating.
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You have to take note though that not all branches of the US Military can offer these programs. And if the branch you are serving has it, your eligibility will depend on your lender requirement and status.
Tuition Assistance
Most people think that enlisting in the military means college is off the table. It does not have to be that way. The military will help pay for tuition fees whether it is for undergraduate, graduate, vocational, or technical school.
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Congress has authorized Tuition Assistance, and this requires every branch of the armed forces to pay up to 100% of tuition costs whether the member is on active duty, reserve, or the national guard.
Free housing, room, and board
Another great perk of being in the US military is that your housing, room, and board are already covered. And that includes a basic allowance for housing and a basic subsistence allowance.
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The lodging you get depends on your rank and situation. Some can get housing that includes families. Most recruits start by living on base and some are able to bring their families with them when they are asked to relocate to another country.
An on-base community for families
The US military offers on-base communities that their members and their families can move into. This way, members can go home to their families, and partners and children can bond with other military families.
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Most on-base communities have churches, schools. banks, restaurants, libraries, gym facilities, and even some shopping stores to make these families feel like they are still in a civilian-like community.
Quick promotion
Unlike regular jobs where opportunities for promotion are limited, the military gives you numerous opportunities to be promoted. Newly enlisted members get promoted two to three times within the first four years!
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Promotion will depend on your abilities when it comes to physical fitness, knowledge, performance, and experience. A military is a place for career growth and some have served until they have reached their senior years.
Special pay
Military personnel gets to have special pay, depending on their job or branch of service. This is a special benefit that gives extra money on top of the base salary. If you are put in danger, you will be paid for it.
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Special pay is given to those who are working in hazardous situations or conditions. An example is if you will be asked to work on a submarine, go to war, or any other hazardous situation.
Insurance benefits
Insurance is a big deal and you get to have insurance benefits in the military. The military has Tricare, an insurance package for its active service members. This insurance package includes health and dental benefits.
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Tricare also gives eligible members life insurance coverage worth $50,000 to $400,000. The best thing about it? Families can avail of this insurance. You and your entire family will get coverage.
Life insurance
Of course, serving in the military means that your life can be put at risk at any time. All personnel receives a life insurance policy that can financially support their family in case of death.
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An amount is taken out of the military member’s paycheck every month for the life insurance. The insurance can cost up to $400,000. It’s quite a huge sum that beats out most life insurance plans.
30 days paid vacation
While the rest of us with normal jobs are lucky if we can get a week’s paid leave, enlisted members of the armed forces have 30 days paid vacation every year. That’s something compared to what regular jobs can offer.
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And they deserve it too after spending months and sometimes years away from their families. Even those in training are forced to stay away for months. At least you can get a month-long break to make up for your absence.
Guaranteed stable paycheck
Everyone aims for a job that gives a steady paycheck. The US military offers this too. It is one of the best perks about being in the service. You can be assured a paycheck will come in every month no matter what you are doing.
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Members of the US military are paid twice a month like a lot of jobs. This paycheck consists of the base pay plus any special pay and allowances that they are eligible for. Paychecks can also be arranged to be sent directly to your family.
Free air ride
Did you know that enlisted members of the armed forces can get free air rides to any part of the world? That’s a huge perk! You read that right. They can hop on any military aircraft for a ride.
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So if you are a soldier on the way home and a military aircraft is headed that way then you do not need to pay for airline tickets! OF course, this benefit is only available if there is space in the military aircraft.
Coverage for relocation
Being part of the military means you get to travel a lot. And this includes being stationed in different parts of the world for years. Relocating is not easy but the military helps by covering all relocation expenses for you.
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When you are asked to relocate, it is expected to happen fast. To make up for it, the US military will pay for all relocation costs not only for the person being asked to relocate but also for their family if they choose to come along.
Lifestyle benefits
US military members get a lot of lifestyle benefits coming from outside of the Department of Defense. These benefits come from the community – from big major companies to small local businesses.
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The lifestyle benefits come in the form of special deals and discounts that current and former service members can avail of. It is one way for the community to show their appreciation for their service.
Special deals on world-class resorts
Enlisted US military members can get special deals and discounts from many world-class resorts. These deals can be used by their families as well. It’s one of the options that military members can take during their 30-day paid break.
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Some of the resorts that give special offers for US military members include Shades of Green near Walt Disney World and Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki. There are also other resorts in other countries that offer US military discounts.
Retirement plan
Once you enlist in the military, you automatically become covered by the Uniformed Services Blended Retirement System. This system will get 3% of your basic pay and put it in a Thrift Savings Plan.
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You can choose to alter the amount of your contribution to the retirement system. After serving two years in the military, your branch will start matching your total contribution. It’s a great start to your retirement one day.
Veteran benefits
One more thing you can look forward to when you join the military is that you still get benefits even when you retire. Being a military veteran comes with a lot of perks whether from the military itself or from the community.
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Veteran benefits are one way to thank veterans for their years of service and patriotism. The VA benefits come in a wide variety of forms such as loans, education assistance, disability compensation, and many more.