Military Branch?

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United States Air Force
The United States Air Force (USAF), is the least militarized branch. The USAF has the highest standard of living both in and out of the combat zone, and MOSTLY resembles a corporation in attitude and practice. It is the most like having a civilian career.

United States Army
The United States Army (USAR), is the US's primary ground fighting force. The army exist for two purposes, the take and hold territory from the enemy, and to keep the enemy from doing so to our territory. The USAR is the second most militarized branch. The USAR has the most members of any branch, but each soldier is the technical field they have selected first, a combatant second.

United States Coast Guard
The United States Coast Guard (USCG), is the second least militarized, and the smallest branch of the armed services. Being in the coast guard will be less formal than the USMC, USAR, or USN, but more so than the USAF. The wartime functions of the USCG are to defend the coastal and riverine waters of the United STates, and defend USN ships in port anywhere in the world. The peacetime function of the USCG is to patrol the coastal and riverine waters of the US in the effort to prevent illegal transport of goods, people and or services on the waters.

United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps (USMC), is the most militarized, and the most formal services of the military. ALL marines are trained to be what the USAR would call infantry before their technical job specialty. Infantry get even more so. If you want to go kill the enemy, kick in the enemy's teeth, ect, then the USMC is the place for you. Be prepared to think, eat, drink, sleep and breath "The Corps."

The last thing to remember to understand the extreme of Marine culture, all of the other branches usually respond with "I am in the [Branch]," or "I am a [job] in the [Branch]," when asked what they do. Marines almost always answer "I am a Marine." To the air force and the Coast Guard, it is a job or career. The Army & Navy it is a lifestyle. To the Marine Corps, it is a state of being.

United States Navy
The United States Navy (USN), is the third most militarized, and second most formalized branch of the armed services. You will spend six months out of every rotation aboard a uS navy ship or submarines. Subs are male only, and surface vessels are generally a ratio of between 10 and 20 to 1.

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United States Air Force

The Air Force is the youngest military service. The Air Force was created in 1947 under the National Security Act. Prior to 1947, the Air Force was a separate Corps of the Army. The primary mission of the Army Air Corps was to support Army ground forces. However World War II showed that air power had much more potential than simply supporting ground troops, so the Air Force was established as a separate service. The primary mission of the Air Force is to defend the United States (and its interests) through exploitation of air and space.

To accomplish this mission, the Air Force operates fighter aircraft, tanker aircraft, light and heavy bomber aircraft, transport aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters (which are used mainly for rescue of downed-aircrew, and special operations missions). The Air Force is also responsible for all military satellites, and controls all of our Nation's strategic nuclear ballistic missiles. There are about 317,000 Air Force personnel on active duty.

Recruiting Environment
The Air Force requires a minimum ASVAB score of 36 to enlist, but your chances are much better for acceptance if you score a 50 or better. In Fiscal Year 2008, 79 percent of new Air Force recruits scored a 50 or better on the ASVAB, compared with the overal Department of Defense (DOD) average of 69 percent. In FY 2009, the number went down slightly to 73 percent. In both FY 2008 and 2009, only one percent of new recruits were allowed to enlist with a GED, compared to eight percent (FY 2008) and four percent (FY 2009) across DOD. Like the Coast Guard, the Air Force approves far fewer medical waivers and criminal history waivers than any other service branch. In 2008, only 8.9 percent of new Air Force recruits had a waiver. In 2009, that number decreased to 7.2 percent.

The Air Force accepts very few prior service applicants each year. Usually, in order to enlist, prior service applicants must already be qualified in an Air Force job that the Air Force considers critically undermanned, or they must qualify for, and agree to enlist in a special operations job, such as Pararescue or Combat Controller.

For the past several years, the Air Force has been decreasing in size. With advances in technology, it requires far fewer folks to operate and maintain their weapon systems. However, in the middle of 2008, the Secretary of Defense determined that the Air Force had gone too far in their down-sizing, and ordered them to stop. The Air Force recruiting goal for 2010 is 31,750 new recruits, compared to 31,980 in 2009.

Enlistment Incentives
The Air Force offers very few enlistment incentives. They don't need them because they generally receive more applicants than they are able to accept. The Air Force offers enlistment bonuses in only a handful of critically-needed jobs. The Air Force does not have a "college fund," such as the Army and Navy does, which adds money to the GI Bill, but it does offer a College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP), of up to $10,000. Like the other services, the Air Force offers advanced enlistment rank up to E-3, for such things as college credits or JROTC. Additionally, the Air Force has accelerated promotion for those who enlist for six years. The Air Force has four and six year active duty contracts, and offer a very, very, few (less than one percent) National Call to Service enlistment contracts (2 year enlistments) each year.

Job Opportunities
The Air Force has over 150 enlisted jobs. Only three of these jobs ( Pararescue, Combat Controller, and Tactical Air Command and Control ), are closed to women. The Air Force calls their enlisted jobs "Air Force Specialty Codes," or "AFSCs."

The Air Force has two enlistment options: Guaranteed Job, and Guaranteed Aptitude Area. Under the "Guaranteed Job" program, the applicant is guaranteed training in a specific AFSC (Air Force Job). Under the Guaranteed Aptitude program, the applicant is guaranteed that he/she will be selected for a job that falls into one of the designated aptitude areas. The Air Force has divided all of their jobs into four aptitude areas ( General, Electronic, Mechanical, and Administrative ).

To provide maximum flexibility for the Air Force to meet their needs, only about 40 percent of all job slots are made available to the Air Force Recruiting Command for guaranteed jobs. The remaining 60 percent are reserved for those enlisting under the Guaranteed Aptitude Area program. The way the process generally works is that applicants travel to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), where they take the ASVAB, undergo a medical examination, and meet with a security clearance specialist, to determine their qualifications. Then the applicant meets with an Air Force Job Counselor, and looks over the jobs that are currently available at that time, that they qualify for (if any). If there are no jobs available that the applicant qualifies for, and/or wants, they make out a list of five or so jobs (including one aptitude area ), and are enlisted in the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP). Applicants are then placed on the QWL (Qualified Waiting List), for one of their preferences to become available. This can take several months. It's not uncommon, these days, for an Air Force applicant to remain in the DEP for eight or more months before finally shipping out to basic training. When one of their preferences becomes available (whether it be a specific job or an aptitude area), they are then assigned to that job/aptitude area, and are given their basic training shipping date.

If one enlists in the Guaranteed Aptitude Program, they will meet with a job counselor around the 2nd week of basic training. The job counselor will give them a list of all the AVAILABLE jobs that they qualify for (medical, moral history, ASVAB scores). Understand that not all Air Force jobs within the aptitude area will be on the list. Only the jobs that have open school seats at that particular point in time. When you receive the list of choices, you have one week to consider it, then you return to the job counselor and give your top 8 choices (from the list). Everyone else in the same week of training, who enlisted in the same aptitude program will also have a list that looks exactly like yours. They will be making choices, as well. The job counselors give each applicant a "rating," which is derived from their ASVAB scores, medical qualifications, and moral (criminal/drug history) qualifications. If, for example, there is a job that has five openings and six people put it down as there first choice, they take the five highest rated and give them the slots and the sixth person, they go to their second choice (of course, that "second choice" may also be someone else's first choice, which would affect whether or not the person would get the slot, depending on how many are available, and how many placed it high on their list).

Individuals who enlist in the Guaranteed Aptitude Program generally find out which job they've been selected for, around the 7th or 8th week of basic training.

Those wishing to enlist in the Air Force must be very flexible when it comes to job assignment. For the past several years (and currently), the Air Force has done exceptionally well in recruiting. In fact, the Air Force has thousands of more volunteers than they have enlistment slots for.

Air Force recruiters will often refuse to process an applicant who is "job locked." In effect, it's a waste of time and resources to process an applicant who is determined to be interested in only a couple of job possibilities, when there are hundreds of other qualified applicants, waiting in line behind him/her, who are willing to be more flexible. Some Air Force recruiting squadrons have established a briefing checklist that recruiters must go over with the applicant and have them initial and sign before they go to MEPS that specifically states that they are going to the MEPS in order to swear into to the Air Force DEP, and NOT TO JOB SHOP. If the applicant doesn't agree to this and doesn't sign this briefing checklist then they don't go to MEPS. Plain and simple. In order to join the Air Force, one must be flexible with both job selections and dates of availability.

The Air Force will -- at times -- work someone outside of the job they were trained in. This usually happens when someone does something that results in temporary disqualification from their normal job, or if someone volunteers for a special job or project. For example, in some squadrons, there may be a "team" of three or four volunteers to form the squadron "small computer team." These individuals would be volunteers from within the squadron, to install and maintain small computers or the small computer network within the squadron. Many of the larger Air Force squadrons have such volunteer teams.

Basic Training
The Air Force only has one location for enlisted basic training : the 737th Training Group, at Lackland Air Force Base, in San Antonio, Texas. It doesn't matter if you're joining the active duty Air Force, the Air Force Reserves, or the Air National Guard. All new Air Force recruits go through the same basic training at Lackland. Each year, over 35,000 new recruits go through Air Force Basic Military Training (AFBMT).

Air Force basic used to be 6 1/2 weeks long, but this was changed to 8 1/2 weeks in November 2008. The new AFBMT is not only designed to teach the fundamentals of military life, but also places great emphasis on the Air Force Expeditionary Force (AEF) deployment cycle, which consists of pre-deployment, deployment and post-deployment phases. The major event at AFBMT is now " The BEAST," which simulates a week-long combat deployment.

When you first arrive at AFBMT, you'll undergo an initial physical fitness assessment. You're not required to pass the initial test, it merely gives you, and your Military Training Instructor (MTI) an idea of how you stand. However, if you fail to meet the below standards, you can expect some extra attention from your MTI, as well as extra PT time to make sure you can pass the final fitness test. The initial fitness assessment standards are:

MALE
2 mile run: 19:16
1.5 mile run: 13:45
Push-Ups: 34
Sit-Ups: 38

FEMALE
2 mile run: 22:43
1.5 mile run: 16:01
Push-Ups: 21
Sit-Ups: 38

In order to graduate from Air Force basic training, you'll need to pass the final fitness test:

MALE
1.5 mile run: 11:57
Push-Ups (1 minute): 45
Sit-Ups (1 minute): 50

FEMALE
1.5 mile run: 14:21
Push-Ups (1 minute): 27
Sit-Ups (1 minute): 50

The Air Force does not grant leave (vacation) immediately after basic training. When you graduate from Air Force basic, you'll proceed to your Air Force technical school. Your first leave will be when you graduate from technical school, or around 10 days during the Christmas period, whichever happens first.

Assignment Opportunities
The Air Force has around 62 major bases in the Continental United States (CONUS). The Air Force also has bases located overseas in Alaska, Hawaii, Belgium, Germany, Guam, Italy, Japan, South Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom (England). Of course, assignment opportunities depend on your Air Force job. For example, if your Air Force job is fixing F-16 aircraft, you will be assigned only to bases that have F-16 aircraft. If your job is to repair HH-60 helicopters, you would only be assigned to bases that have HH-60 helicopters.

First-term airmen (those who have not re-enlisted) generally must have 36 months time-on-station (TOS) before they can be reassigned from one state-side base to another state-side base. They must have at least 12 months TOS before they can be assigned from a state-side base to an overseas assignment. For career airmen (those who have re-enlisted at least once), the TOS requirements are 48 months for state-side to state-side, and 24 months for state-side to overseas. Overseas assignments have designated "tour lengths." For most locations, it's two years for an unaccompanied airman, and three years for an airman who elects to have his/her dependents relocated with them. There are also a few 12-month "remote" assignments to places like Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Turkey.

Deployments
On average, Air Force personnel deploy far less than Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines. In January 2009, the Air Force is changing the way they deploy their troops. Under the "old" system, the Air Force assigned each deployable squadron to an Air Expeditionary Force (AEF). There may be several squadrons, from different bases assigned to a single AEF. The AEFs then take turns, rotating in and out of a "deployment window." Under this concept, Airmen assigned to a squadron that was part of an AEF deployed on average of 4 months, every 20 months. However, this didn't work so well. Airmen sometimes found their deployments extended from four months to six months as the service filled manpower gaps, and those in high-demand fields (such as Combat Controller, Pararescue, Security Forces, and Tactical Air Command and Control ), found themselves deployed much more often.

Beginning in January 2009, the Air Force is switching to a program called "Tempo Bands." Each Air Force job will be assigned to a specific tempo band, ranging from Band A to Band E, which will tell the Airman how often he/she can expect to deploy. The band decisions are made by matching predicted deployment demands for Air Force specialties against the number of airmen available to deploy in that specialty:

Band A. Those in Air Force jobs assigned to Band A can expect to deploy 6 months every 24 months. Some of the career fields that have already been placed in this band include fuels, paralegal, finance, and safety.
Band B. Airmen in Band B can expect to deploy 6 months every 30 months. So far, no Air Force career field has been placed in this band.
Band C. Those in Band C can expect to be deployed for 6 months every 24 months. Band C includes medical personnel (except behavioral health), supply, communications, weather, public affairs and logistics planning.
Band D. Individuals in Band D can expect to be deployed for 6 months every 18 months. Band D includes include aerial port, vehicle operations, traffic management, vehical management, air traffic controllers, OSI, behavioral health, command post and civil engineering.
Band E. These folks can expect to deploy six months out of every year. Band E includes contracting, intelligence, airfield management, security forces, and Tactical Air Command and Control. While technically in Band E, special operation fields ( Combat Controller and Pararescue ) can expect more frequent deployments (although usually shorter in duration) for specific special operations missions.
Once all of the band assignments have been decided (Jan 09), Airmen can find out what band they are in by going to their online personnel records at the Air Force’s “Virtual Military Personnel Flight” Web site.

The Air Force also has a program where volunteers can sign up to fill short-falls in upcoming AEF deployments by putting their name on the "Enabler List."

Finally, the Air Force taps (both volunteers and non-volunteers) about 2,000 airmen per year for "In Lieu of Taskings." Those selected work outside of their regular Air Force job, and are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (usually for 12 months) to assist the Army and Marine Corps with combat missions and patrols.

Quality of Life
The Air Force has the reputation of having the best qualify of life programs (dormitories, family housing, on-base shopping and services, and recreation) of all the military service branches. That's probably because the Air Force got a head start in using a significant portion of their funding to establish, maintain, or expand their QOL programs. All airmen (except basic training, technical school, and at some remote overseas assignments) now get a room to themselves. The Air Force started rebuilding their dormitories into single-occupancy quarters, years before any of the other services. The latest Air Force standard is the "4 + 4" standard, whereby four airmen share a common living area, complete with a kitchen and living room, but have their own bedroom and bathroom. At most bases, Airmen in the rank of E-4 and above, with at least three years of service can move off base and receive a monetary housing allowance, called BAH.

Like the other services, the Air Force is converting existing on-base family housing to "military privatized housing." Under this concept, civilian companies are encouraged to construct, maintain, and manage military-only housing complexes on and close to military bases. The Air Force program is called “Housing Privatization.” The Air Force has scheduled 38 housing projects for privatization, which will include up to 32,000 housing units throughout the United States at a cost of approximately $4 billion. At most bases, married airmen are given a choice of living in family housing, or living off base at a place of their choosing, with a monthly housing allowance.

Airmen who are authorized to live off base at government expense, and those who live in family housing receive a monthly food allowance, called BAS. Those who live in the dormitories do not normally receive this allowance, but eat their meals for free in the on-base dining facilities (chow halls).

Promotion Opportunities
Individuals enlisting in the Air Force can receive advanced promotion, up to the rank of Airman First Class (E-3), for such things as college credits, JROTC, Eagle Scout, Civil Air Patrol, etc. Air Force Enlisted Promotions to E-2 through E-4 are based on a combination of time-in-service and time-in-grade. Airmen are promoted to E-5, E-6, and E-7, based on a combination of promotion points, and results of two written tests (one about general Air Force procedures and requirements, and one about their Air Force job ). Unlike the other services, where those in an overmanned job may find it impossible to get promoted, the Air Force promotes in every one of their jobs. However, some jobs (those that are considered critically undermanned), receive an increased promotion opportunity. Promotions to the grades of E-8 and E-9 are made by a centralized (Air Force-wide) promotion board, promotion points, and the score on a single Air Force supervisory test. On average, the Air Force has a slower promotion rate than the other services. This is reflective on their high re-enlistment rate (the longer people choose to stay in, the fewer promotion slots there are).

Educational Opportunities
Of course, everyone who enlists on active duty is eligible for the G.I. Bill. Unlike the Army and Navy, the Air Force does not have a "college fund" which adds money to your monthly GI Bill entitlements. Like all of the services, in addition to the G.I. Bill, the Air Force also gives tuition assistance for college courses you take when off-duty.

Like all of the services, when you are off-duty, you can take college courses on campuses close to the military base you are assigned to, or take advantage of courses offered on-base through the base education offices. Courses offered on-base are by actual colleges and universities, that are considered "military friendly," in that they generally give credit for military training, and usually have liberal credit transfer policies.

In addition to degree programs offered by the "military friendly" colleges and universities that operate on and around military bases, you can receive a fully accredited Associates degree from the Air Force itself. The Air Force has established the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF). The college is one of several federally chartered degree-granting institutions; however, it is the only 2-year institution exclusively serving enlisted personnel. The college awards the associate in applied science degree after a student successfully completes a degree program designed for an Air Force specialty. The Community College of the Air Force is accredited through Air University by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award the associate degree.

Enlisted Commissioning Programs
The Air Force has several programs enlisted members can use to become commissioned officers. Unmarried enlisted members can apply to attend the Air Force Academy in Colorado. However, the selection process is very, very rigid, and only the very best are accepted (this applies to civilian applicants, as well as enlisted applicants).

All of the Air Force enlisted commissioning programs are very, very competitive. In fact, it's probably harder to get a commission in the Air Force than any other service branch. Except for rated commissions (pilot, navigator, air battle manager), the Air Force likes their officers to have technical or "hard science" degrees, such as aerospace engineering, physics, computer science, chemistry, ect. They also like these officers to have a very high college GPA (3.2 or above is considered competitive). For fliers, while a technical degree is not required, one still needs a very high GPA, and high score on the Pilot/Nav sections of the Air Force Officer Qualifying Test (AFOQT) to be selected.

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United States Army

The United States Army is the main ground-force of the United States. The Army's main function is to protect and defend the United States (and its interests) by way of ground troops, armor (tanks), artillery, attack helicopters, tactical nuclear weapons, etc. The Army is the oldest U.S. Military service, officially established by the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775. Traditionally, the Army has been trained and organized to deploy large, heavily armored and equipped ground combat forces, while the Marine Corps was primarily used when smaller, lightly armored, ground forces were required to be mobilized quickly. However, those lines have been blurred since 9/11.

Before 9/11 the Army was organized around large, mostly mechanized divisions of approximately 15,000 Soldiers each. It took a lot of time and effort to deploy such large forces and their equipment, making rapid reaction nearly impossible. The Army then began reorganizing their forces into rapidly-deployable Brigade Combat Teams (BCT), each with 3,000-4,000 Soldiers, along with Brigade Support Battalions (BSB) designed to provide combat support to those teams. By 2007, the Army had reorganized to 42 BCTs and 75 BSBs, and by the year 2013, the Army plans to have 48 BCTs and 83 BSBs.

Recruiting Environment
In past years, the Army struggled to meet their recruiting goals. In fact, they significantly reduced standards in order to keep recruiting numbers up. In 2006, the Army has raised their enlistment age limit from 34 to 42. In 2008, they allowed far more recruits to join with a GED, than any of the other branches. They even established a special program, called Army Prep School, that allows individuals to enlist who have no high school diploma or GED, then earn a GED before attending basic training. In Fiscal Year 2008, only 83 percent of new Army recruits had a high school diploma (or at least 15 college credits), comparted with the Department of Defense (DOD) average of 92 percent. The Army requires a minimum ASVAB score of 31 to enlist, the lowest of all the service branches. In FY 2008, only 62 percent of new recruits had an AFQT (overall ASVAB) score of 50 or more, compared to the DOD average of 69 percent. Also in 2008, the Army approved far more medical waivers and criminal history waivers (including non-violent juvenile felonies) than any of the other branches, by far.

All of this changed during 2009. Probably, due in large part to increased advertising funds, enlistment bonuses, and the poor civilian job economy, applicants began to flood Army recruiting offices, and they could afford to become more "picky." In March 2009, the Army stopped approving almost all juvenile felony criminal history waivers. During the past three or four months of Fiscal Year 2009 (which ran from October 1, 2008 to September 30, 2009), the Army stopped approving almost all criminal history waivers, except for minor traffic tickets. They also put a freeze on accepting applicants with GEDs, and suspended operations at the Army Prep School. As a result, in FY 2009, 94 percent of new Army recruits had a high school diploma or at least 15 college credits.

In FY 2009, only 0.31 percent of new Army recruits received a criminal history waiver for serious misconduct, compared to 0.40 percent the previous year.

While exact figures are not available, the Army reportedly increased the percentage of new recruits who scored a 50 or better on the ASVAB AFQT, than the 2008 statistics.

How long this trend will continue is anyone's guess. I imagine that the Army will enjoy high recruiting success as long as the civilian economy problems and high unemployment rate continues.

Enlistment Incentives
In order to meet their increased recruiting goals, the Army offers more enlistment incentives than any other branch. Most Army enlisted jobs qualify for an enlistment bonus, some up to $40,000. Many jobs also qualify for the Army College Fund, a program that adds extra money to the G.I. Bill. The Army also offers other bonuses for such things as college credits, agreeing to ship out to basic during designated times, and agreeing to serve in an airborne unit. However, to qualify for most Army enlistment incentives, you must score at least a 50 on the AFQT portion of the ASVAB. The Army offers two, three, four, five, and six year active duty enlistment contracts (some Army jobs -- those that require lengthy training -- require an enlistment period of four or more years).

About 65 percent of new Army recruits received an enlistment bonus during Fiscal Year 2009. The Pentagon reports that during FY2009, the Army paid an average of $22,000 per recruit in enlistment bonuses.

Job Opportunities
The Army has more enlisted MOS's (Military Occupational Specialties), or jobs, than any other branch. Only the Marine Corps comes close. The Army is the only branch in which every single recruit ships out to basic training with a guaranteed job in his/her enlistment contract. The Army does not have any "general" enlistments, where one enlists and then finds out what their military job is going to be after enlisting. Of course, that does not mean you're going to get the Army job you want. It depends on whether you meet the qualifications for the job, and whether or not the job has an available slot (opening) at the time of your enlistment. The Army even has the capability to allow you to reserve a job right there in the recruiter's office, before you even travel to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to find out if you're qualified for the job. Of all the services, however, the Army has the worst reputation for using Soldiers in jobs outside of the MOS they were trained in, upon arrival at their regulation duty stations, and when deployed. Several Army jobs are closes to women, as they are considered direct-combat jobs. The Army has two primary special operations jobs -- Rangers, and Special Forces (Green Beret).

Basic Training
Army basic training used to be nine weeks, but was changed to ten weeks, effective October 1, 2008. This doesn't count the time you will spend in-processing in "Reception," which can last from one to three weeks. Army basic training has undergone drastic changes in the past few years to better equip new Soldiers with skills they will need for deployment to Iraq and/or Afghanistan. There are several Army basic training locations, including Fort Jackson SC, Fort Knox, KY, Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Fort Still, OK, and Fort Benning, GA. Where you attend is primarily dependent upon the location of your follow-on, Advanced Individual Training (Job Training). In fact, for certain MOS's (jobs), the Army combines basic training and AIT into one single course, called One Station Unit Training, or OSUT.

When you first arrive at Army basic training, you're assigned to a Reception Battalion for initial in-processing (paperwork, shots, uniform issue, initial testing, ect.). Before you leave reception, you are required to pass an initial fitness test. Those who fail this test are assigned to a "fat camp," until they can meet the minimum standards required to begin the actual basic training program. The initial fitness standards, regardless of age, are:

MALE
Push-ups: 13
Sit-ups: 17
1 mile run: 8:30

FEMALE
Push-ups: 3
Sit-ups: 17
1 mile run: 10:30

In order to graduate from Army Basic Training, you'll need to score at least 50 points in each event of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT). Before you can graduate from AIT (job school), you'll have to score at least 60 points in each event. Requirements depend on sex and age-group. For the age-group of 17-21, the basic training graduation standards (50 points) are:

MALE
Push-ups (2 min): 35
Sit-ups (2 min): 47
2 mile run: 16:36

FEMALE
Push-ups (2 min): 13
Sit-ups (2 min): 47
2 mile run: 19:32

The Army normally does not grant your first leave (vacation) until you complete both basic training and initial job training. Then a short period of leave is usually authorized before you report to your first duty station. However, if you are in basic training or initial job training school during the Christmas period, you will normally be granted 10 days of leave, as Army basic training and training schools usually close down during this period.

Assignment Opportunities
The Army has around 60 major bases in the Continental United States (CONUS). The Army also has bases located overseas in Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, Belgium, Italy, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Germany, The Netherlands, and Qatar. Of course, assignment opportunities depend on your Army job. For example, if you're Army job is infantry, you will be assigned to bases with an infantry unit. If your job is to repair UH-60 helicopters, you would only be assigned to bases that have UH-60 helicopters. Soldiers assigned to stateside bases, generally must stay there a minimum of three years before being eligible to move to another base (there are exceptions to this rule). Overseas assignments have designated "tour lengths." For most locations, it's two years for an unaccompanied Soldier, and three years for a Soldier who elects to have his/her dependents relocated with them. There are still a few 12-month "remote" assignments to South Korea, but the Army is working on transforming them to standard tour lengths.

Deployments
Army Soldiers deploy more than any other branch, with the possible exception of the Navy (although most Navy deployments are on ships at sea). The standard Army deployment to Iraq and Afghanistan is 12 months "boots on the ground." This was changed from 15 months "boots on the ground" in 2008. How often you deploy depends on your Army job. For example, a combat job, such as infantry, or armor, would deploy more often than an administrative job, such as finance clerk, or legal specialist (keep in mind that administrative jobs do deploy, just not quite as often as combat or combat support jobs). The current Army average deployment rate is 12 months deployed, followed by 12 months at home station assignment. The Army is working to change the average to 12 months deployed, followed by 18 months at home, and ultimately wants to have a rate of 12 months deployed, followed by 24 months at home. The Army is currently the only branch actively using the "Stop-Loss" program, which means they keep Soldiers beyond their normal separation date if they have been scheduled for a deployment. On average, about 12,000 Soldiers each month are affected by Stop-Loss.

Quality of Life
Like the other services, the Army is aggressively converting existing on-base family housing to "military privatized housing." Under this concept, civilian companies are encouraged to construct, maintain, and manage military-only housing complexes on and close to military bases. The Army program is called “Residential Community Initiative.” Currently, the Army RCI program is comprised of 45 installations (combined into 35 projects); over 88,000 homes - 99% of Army's family housing inventory in the U.S. To date, 35 installations (77,000 homes) have been privatized, 10 more (11,000 homes) are in solicitation or under development. At most bases, married Soldiers are given a choice of living in family housing, or living off base at a place of their choosing, with a monthly housing allowance.

Soldiers who are authorized to live off base at government expense, and those who live in family housing receive a monthly food allowance, called BAS. Those who live in the barracks do not normally receive this allowance, but eat their meals for free in the on-base dining facilities (chow halls).

Promotion Opportunities
individuals enlisting in the Army can receive advanced promotion, up to the rank of Specialist (E-4), for such things as college credits, JROTC, Eagle Scout, Civil Air Patrol, etc. Army Enlisted Promotions to E-2 through E-4 are based on a combination of time-in-service and time-in-grade. Soldiers are promoted to E-5 and E-6, based on a combination of promotion points, and results of a local promotion board. Promotions to the grades of E-7 through E-9 are made by a centralized (Army-wide) promotion board. On average, the Army has the fastest enlisted promotion rates of any of the other branches. However, actual promotion rates depend on your Army job. It's a lot easier to get promoted in a job in which the Army is experiencing a significant shortage of manpower than in a job that doesn't have a shortage. Additionally, it's often almost impossible to get promoted if you are in a job that is significantly overmanned, unless you volunteer to re-train into a shortage job.

Enlisted Soldiers who meet certain prerequisites can also apply to be promoted to Warrant Officer.

Educational Opportunities
Of course, everyone who enlists on active duty are eligible for the G.I. Bill. In addition, the Army offers a college fund for individuals who agree to enlist in jobs that the Army considers critically undermanned. The Army College Fund adds money to your monthly GI Bill entitlements. Like all of the services, in addition to the G.I. Bill, the Army also gives tuition assistance for college courses you take when off-duty.

Like all of the services, when you are off-duty, you can take college courses on campuses close to the military base you are assigned to, or take advantage of courses offered on-base through the base education offices. Courses offered on-base are by actual colleges and universities, that are considered "military friendly," in that they generally give credit for military training, and usually have liberal credit transfer policies.

Due to duty schedules, frequent deployments, and field training, off-duty education can be challenging in the Army. It's hard to attend traditional college courses, when you are deploying for 12 months at a time, or you are undergoing field training for two weeks every four months. To combat this, the Army encourages distant learning (correspondant courses and internet classes). In fact, under a program called eArmyU, certain Soldiers can receive a free laptop computer in order to participate in Internet college courses.

Enlisted Commissioning Programs
The Army has three programs that enlisted members can use to become commissioned officers. Unmarried enlisted members can apply to attend the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. However, the selection process is very, very rigid, and only the very best are accepted (this applies to civilian applicants, as well as enlisted applicants).

Enlisted members who have or attain 90 or more college credits can apply for Army Officer Candidate School (OCS), once they have completed AIT (Army job school). Again, selection is competitive. There are only so-many openings at OCS each year, and periodically throughout the year, a selection board meets to consider the applicants for selection. The Army is the only service which allows enlisted members without a bachelor's degree to apply for their OCS program.

Finally, enlisted applicants with more than two years of active duty service can apply for the Army's " Green to Gold " program. If selected, Soldiers are discharged from active duty, and attend Army ROTC. Once they earn their college degree, and complete the ROTC program, they are commissioned on active duty as an officer. Once again, this is a competitive program, with a limited number of openings each year, so selection boards make the decision as to who can participate.

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United States Marine Corps

The Marines are often referred to as the "Infantry of the Navy." Marines specialize in amphibious operations. In other words, their primary specialty is to assault, capture, and control "beach heads," which then provide a route to attack the enemy from almost any direction. The Marines were officially established on 10 November 1775 by the Continental Congress, to act as a landing force for the United States Navy. While the Marines fall under the Department of the Navy, they are a separate branch of service. This was established by Congress in 1798.

While amphibious operations are their primary specialty, in recent years, the Marines have expanded other ground-combat operations, as well. The Marines are generally a "lighter" force when compared to the Army, so they can generally be deployed fast (although the Army has been making great strides in "rapid deployment" in the past few years). For combat operations, the Marines like to be self-sufficient as much as possible, so they also have their own air power, consisting primarily of fighter and fighter/bomber aircraft and attack helicopters. Even so, the Marines use the Navy for much of their logistical and administrative support. For example, there are no doctors, nurses, or enlisted medics in the Marine Corps. Even medics that accompany the Marines into combat are specially-trained Navy medics. With the exception of the Coast Guard, the Marines are also the smallest service. There are approximately 194,000 officers and enlisted Marines on active duty.

Recruiting Environment
With the exception of the Coast Guard, the Marine Corps is the smallest military service, and only needs to enlist about 38,000 new recruits per year (compared with the Army's average 80,000 yearly recruiting goal).

The Marine Corps requires a minimum ASVAB score of 32 to enlist. However, over the past four years, about 68.9 percent of all new Marine recruits have scored a 50 or above.

The Corps recruiting regulation only allows about five percent of their enlistees per year to join without a high school diploma. However, during Fiscal Year 2009, 99 percent of new Marine recruits had a high school diploma or at least 15 college credits. To even be considered for a GED enlistment, an applicant must score a minimum of 50 on the on the ASVAB (your chances are much better if you score at least a 90). The Marine Corps is the only service which requires a waiver if you admit to any history of marijuana use. However, if you've used pot less than 10 or so times in your life, it's very likely the waiver will be approved. The Marine Corps generally approves a higher rate of criminal history waivers than does the Air Force and Coast Guard, but -- because it is such a "physically intense service," generally approves fewer medical waivers.

In October 2009, the Marine Corps announced that it will no longer waive any criminal sexual offense, no matter what the circumstances.

While the Marines will consider qualified prior service applicants, all non-Marine prior service enlistees must attend the full Marine Corps basic training (the Marines are the only service with this policy).

Enlistment Incentives
The Marine Corps offers fewer enlistment incentives than any other branch, and they like it that way. In fact, they are rather proud of the fact that they continue to meet their recruiting goals without the use of enlistment incentives. The Marine Corps wants its applicants to join because they want to be a MARINE, not because of enlistment incentives. The Marine Corps does have an enlistment bonus program, but doesn't use it very often. Like all the services, the Marine Corps has the GI Bill, with a"college fund" which adds money to the program. But they do not participate in the College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP).

Unlike the other services, which offer advanced enlistment rank up to E-3 (E-4 in the Army) for such things as college credits or JROTC, the Marine Corps Advanced Rank Program only allows advanced promotion to E-2 for such things. The Marine Corps offers a very few National Call to Service (two year enlistments) each year, but the program is limited to only 11 Marine Corps MOS's (jobs).

Job Opportunities
The Marine Corps has over 180 enlisted jobs, which are called "Military Occupational Specialties," or "MOS." Because the Marine Corps gets much of their non-combat support from the Navy, their job ratio is heavily weighted toward combat jobs, and thus, many are closed to women.

It's almost impossible to get a "guaranteed job" in a Marine Corps enlistment contract. When an applicant walks into a Marine Corps Recruiting Office, he/she is expected to " want to become a MARINE," with actual Marine Corps job a secondary consideration. A majority of Marines are enlisted in a general field (such as Avionic s), and will have their actual job (MOS) designated during basic training. For example, say you want to be an administrative specialist in the Marine Corps. You would enlist under the " Personnel and Administration Field," but you are only guaranteed to get one of the MOSs (jobs) listed in that field -- you aren't guaranteed any specific MOS.

Regardless of your MOS, all Marines are considered to be Riflemen first, and whatever MOS (job) they happen to hold, second. In fact, the Marine Corps has even been known to deploy Band members to combat zones, and use them on combat patrols (see Laying Down the Flute and Picking up the Rifle).

Basic Training
Marine Corps basic training has the reputation of being the toughest of all the services. It most certainly is the longest, at about 12 1/2 weeks. It has been said time and time again by former Marines that Marine Corps recruit training was the most difficult thing they ever had to do in their entire lives. There are two locations which turn men into Marines: the Recruit Training Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina, and the Recruit Training Depot at San Diego, California. Where you go depends largely upon where you enlist. Those who enlist west of the Mississippi will likely go through boot camp in San Diego, while those in the East will attend at Parris Island.

All women attend Marine Corps basic training at the Parris Island location. In fact, the Marine Corps is the only service that doesn't have coed basic. Women Marines train on their own, separated from the men.

Before you are allowed to ship out to Marine Corps basic training, you'll be required to pass a physical fitness test, called " Initial Strength Test," or ISP. The test requirements (regardless of age) are:

MALE
Pull-ups: 2
Sit-ups: 35 (two minutes)
1.5 mile run: 13:30

FEMALE
Flexed Arm Hang: 12 seconds
Sit-ups: 35 (two minutes)
1 mile run: 10:30

You'll pass the same test shortly after arrival at basic. Those who fail are transferred to the PCP (Physical Conditioning Platoon). PCP is tough: PCP's objective is physical fitness, and that's what you'll be concentrating in while in the program. You'll remain in the PCP until you can meet the standards, but a minimum of 21 days.

In order to graduate from Marine Corps basic training, you must pass the final PFT (Physical Fitness Test). The PFT has three events - pull-ups (Flexed-Arm Hang for females), abdominal crunches, and a 3-mile run. The graduation standards are:

MALE
Age 17-26
Pull-ups: 3
Crunches: 50 (two minutes)
3 mile run: 28:00

Age 27-39
Pull-ups: 3
Crunches: 45
3 mile run: 29:00

FEMALES
Age 17-26
Flexed arm hang: 15 Seconds
Crunches: 50 (two minutes)
3 mile run: 31:00

Age 27-39
Flexed arm hang: 15 Seconds
Crunches: 45
3 mile run: 32:00

All Marines are granted 10 days leave (vacation) immediately after basic training.

Following leave, Marines who are in the Infantry Field (MOS of 0311 Rifleman, 0331 Machinegunner, 0341 Mortarman, 0351 Assaultman, or 0352 Anti-Tank Guided Missleman ), attend the 51 day School of Infantry, at either Camp Lejeune, NC, or Camp Pendleton, CA. This school also doubles as their Marine Corps job school, so, upon graduation, they proceed to their first duty assignment.

All other Marines attend the 22 day Marine Combat Training (MCT) course, also located at Camp Lejeune or Camp Pendleton. Upon graduation from this course, they proceed to their Marine Corps job training school.

Assignment Opportunities
The Marine Corps has 15 major bases in the Continental United States (CONUS). They have bases located overseas in Hawaii and Japan, and Okinawa. There are plans underway to relocate Marines stationed in Okinawa to Guam, but this is still a few years off. Of course, assignment opportunities depend on your Marine Corps job. For example, if you're Marine Corps job is rifleman, you will be assigned to bases with an infantry unit. If your job is to repair F-18 aircraft, you would only be assigned to bases that have F-18 fighters. Marines assigned to stateside bases, generally must stay there a minimum of three years before being eligible to move to another stateside base (there are exceptions to this rule). Overseas assignments have designated "tour lengths." For most locations, it's two years for an unaccompanied Marine, and three years for a Marine who elects to have his/her dependents relocated with them.

Junior enlisted Marines (those who are on their first enlistment) who are assigned to Japan or Okinawa have more assignment restrictions. The tour length for unmarried junior Marines is two years (except for Camp Fuji, which is a 12 month "remote" tour for everybody). First-term married Marines (or first-term Marines with dependents) serve a 12-month unaccompanied tour. In a very few cases, these Marines may be approved for a 24 month accompanied tour. All other Marines served the standard tour lengths, which is 36 months for accompanied and 24 months for unaccompanied.

While the normal Marine Corps assignment locations are rather limited, Marines (in any job), in the rank of E-2 through E-8 can volunteer for the Marine Corps Security Guard program, and be assigned to 12-month or 18 month assignment tours in more than 120 countries throughout the world.

Deployments
The Army and the Marine Corps make up the bulk of the ground forces deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan, so the Marines get their share of deployments. A 2007 RAND study showed that single (unmarried) Marines averaged 311 days deployed during a four year enlistment period. Those with dependents averaged 254 days deployed. The main reason given for the difference is that Marines without dependents are more likely to volunteer for deployments. 91.3 percent of all Marines had at least one deployment during a four year enlistment period. The average Marine Corps "boots on the ground" deployment to Iraq or Afghanistan is 8 months.

It doesn't matter what your Marine Corps job is -- if you're a Marine, you're going to deploy, sooner or later. The Marines are proud of the fact that all Marines are considered riflemen first, and whatever their MOS (job) is, second. In fact, the Marine Corps has even been known to deploy Band members to combat zones, and use them on combat patrols (see Laying Down the Flute and Picking up the Rifle ).

Marine Corps units are also often attached to ships deployed at sea. In fact, Navy aircraft carriers typically deploy with a Marine flying squadron alongside Navy squadrons. As the Marine Corps increases in size, they are also planning to provide small detachments to permanently serve on Navy ships for security, vessel boarding, search and seizure operations, reprising their original role as "Infantry of the Navy."

Quality of Life
The Marine Corps does not put near as much money and effort into Quality of Life programs as do the other services. Part of the reason is that the Marine Corps is the smallest military service under the Department of Defense (DOD), and often get screwed on their funding. Another major reason is the attitude of senior Marine Corps leaders, who apparently feel that "hardship" makes better Marines -- especially junior Marines. This policy is event in how the Marine Corps handles barracks for junior enlisted. While all of the other services are working on programs to give a private room to all of their junior enlisted members, the Marine Corps specifically asked the Secretary of Defense for a waiver to this policy. The Marine Corps plan calls for two junior Marines (paygrades E-1 to E-3) to share a room and bath, to "support the tenets of team building and unit cohesion." E-4s and E-5s are to be assigned private rooms.

At most bases, Marines in the rank of E-6 and above can move off base and receive a monetary housing allowance, called BAH. They even continue to receive the BAH when deployed (that way, they don't have to terminate their leases).

More than any other service branch, the Marine Corps follows the RHIP (Rank Has Its Privileges) concept -- even when off duty. I remember one time when I was returning from leave (vacation) to Edwards Air Force Base, and I decided to stop at Twenty-Nine Palms (a Marine Corps base) to get a quick haircut before returning. I entered the exchange barbershop, took a number, then waited for my turn. When my turn came up, I got up and walked to the empty barber chair. As I reached the chair, a person (in civilian clothes), who had just come in a few minutes before, intercepted me, and said, "Excuse me. Are you an officer?" I said, "No. I'm an Air Force First Sergeant." He then said, "Then you'll have to wait. I'm a second lieutenant." He then pointed to a sign that I had missed that said, "Officers Have Priority Over Other Customers."

No other service, in my experience, takes RHIP to this level, especially in a non-appropriated funds (NAF) activity.

Like the other services, the Marine Corps is converting existing on-base family housing to "military privatized housing." Under this concept, civilian companies are encouraged to construct, maintain, and manage military-only housing complexes on and close to military bases. The Marine Corps program is run by the Navy and is called " Public Private Ventures." At most bases, married Married are given a choice of living in family housing, or living off base at a place of their choosing, with a monthly housing allowance.

Marines who are authorized to live off base at government expense, and those who live in family housing receive a monthly food allowance, called BAS. Those who live in the barracks/dormitories do not normally receive this allowance, but eat their meals for free in the on-base dining facilities (chow halls).

Promotion Opportunities
Individuals enlisting in the Marine Corps can receive advanced promotion, up to the rank of Private First Class (E-2), for such things as college credits, JROTC, Eagle Scout, Navy Sea Cadets, Young Marines, etc. Marine Corps enlisted promotions to E-2 and E-3 are based on a combination of time-in-service and time-in-grade. Marines are promoted to E-4 and E-5, based on promotion points, that are computed from such things as supervisor evaluations, rifle range scores, and physical fitness test scores. Marine Corps promotions to the rank of E-6 through E-9 are made by a centralized (Marine Corps-wide) promotion board.

In addition to the "normal" promotion system, commanders can promote a very few, outstanding Marines via the Meritorious Promotion System. Marines can be promoted up to the rank of E-8 under this system.

Actual promotion rates depend on your Marine Corps job. It's a lot easier to get promoted in a job in which the Corps is experiencing a significant shortage of manpower than in a job that doesn't have a shortage. Additionally, it's often almost impossible to get promoted if you are in a job that is significantly overmanned, unless you volunteer to re-train into a shortage job (the Marines call this "lateral moves").

Educational Opportunities
Of course, everyone who enlists on active duty is eligible for the G.I. Bill. And, like the Army and Navy, the Marine Corps does have a "college fund" which adds money to your monthly GI Bill entitlements. Like all of the services, in addition to the G.I. Bill, the Marine Corps also gives tuition assistance for college courses you take when off-duty.

Of course, everyone who enlists on active duty is eligible for the G.I. Bill. And, like the Army and Navy, the Marine Corps does have a "college fund" which adds money to your monthly GI Bill entitlements. Like all of the services, in addition to the G.I. Bill, the Marine Corps also gives tuition assistance for college courses you take when off-duty.

Enlisted Commissioning Programs
Like the other services, the Marines offer a variety of programs for qualified enlisted Marines to finish college and earn a commission as a Marine Corps officer. Unmarried Marines can apply to attend the Navy Academy, under the Marine Corps option. However, this program is highly competitive. Enlisted Marines who have or attain a college degree can apply to attend Officer Candidate Class (OCC).

The most common way that enlisted Marines complete their college degree and become commissioned is through the Marine Corps Enlisted Commissioning Education Program.

Enlisted Marines who meet the eligibility criteria within their MOS (job) can also apply to receive a commission as a warrant officer. After eight years as a warrant officer, you can apply to be commissioned as a Limited Duty Officer (LDO).

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United States Navy

Like the Army, the Navy was officially established by the Continental Congress in 1775. The Navy's primary mission is to maintain the freedom of the seas. The Navy makes it possible for the United States to use the seas where and when our national interests require it. In addition, in times of conflict, the Navy helps to supplement Air Force air power. Navy aircraft carriers can often deploy to areas where fixed runways are impossible. An aircraft carrier usually carries about 80 aircraft. Most of these are fighters or fighter-bombers. Additionally, Navy ships can attack land targets from miles away (with very heavy guns), and cruise missiles.

Navy submarines (fast attack and ballistic missile subs) allow stealth attacks on our enemies from right off their shores. The Navy is also primarily responsible for transporting Marines to areas of conflict. The active duty Navy has about 326,000 active duty officers and enlisted Sailors.

Recruiting Environment
It's easier to join the Navy than it is the Air Force or Coast Guard, but harder than the Army or Marine Corps. In other words, the Navy kind of falls into the middle. Up until 2006, the Navy was undergoing a downsizing in the size of their active duty personnel, but now stand at their desired end-strength. The Navy enlists about 38,400 new recruits per year (compared with the Army's 80,000 new recruits per year).

The Navy requires a minimum ASVAB score of 35 to enlist. This was raised from 31 in 2003. Those who wish to enlist in the Naval Reserves, require a minimum score of just 31.However, your chances of joining are much better if you score higher. In Fiscal Year 2009, more than 60 percent of new Navy recruits scored a 50 or higher on the ASVAB AFQT.

Like the other branches, the Navy accepts very, very few recruits who don't have a high school diploma. In FY 2009, the Navy only allowed four percent of new recruits to enlist with a GED.To be considered for enlistment with a GED, you must score a minimum of 50 on the on the ASVAB. You must also have no drug use, and at least three references from influential members of the community (police, fire, judge, teacher, ect.). Any police involvement, other than minor traffic offenses will also disqualify a GED applicant.

The Navy generally approves a higher rate of criminal history waivers and medical waivers than does the Air Force and Coast Guard, and will happily consider qualified prior service applicants.

Enlistment Incentives
The Navy offers a variety of enlistment incentives to entice qualified applicants to join. The Navy has monetary enlistment bonuses up to $40,000, for those who agree to enlist in a Navy job that the Navy considers to be undermanned. They also offer bonuses for such things as college credit, and proficiency in critical foreign languages. Like the Army, the Navy has a "college fund" which adds money to the GI Bill, and it also offers a College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP), of up to $65,000.

Like the other services, the Navy offers advanced enlistment rank up to E-3, for such things as college credits or JROTC. Additionally, the Navy has accelerated promotion for those who enlist under certain programs, such as the Nuclear Field. The Navy offers four, five, and six year active duty enlistment contracts. They also offer National Call to Service enlistment contracts (2 year enlistments), but this is not a good option if you possibly wish to spend more time on active duty. The Navy considers the NCS program to be a method to increase their Reserve enlistments, and very, very, very few sailors are given the option to remain on active duty at the end of the NCS active duty period.

Job Opportunities
The Navy has over 80 enlisted jobs, which they call ratings. While that doesn't seem like much, when compared to the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, the Navy divides many of their ratings into sub-specialties, through a system called Navy Enlisted Classifications, or NECs. For example, in the Army, "Operating Room Specialist", and "Radiology Specialist" are two separate jobs (MOS 68D and 68P, respectively). In the Navy, an operating room specialist and a radiology specialist hold the same rating (job) -- that of HM (Hospitalman). In the Navy, if Navy Hospitalman wanted to become an operating room specialist or a radiology specialist, he/she would have to apply to "C-School" (advanced training), and be awarded NEC HM-8483 or HM-8451. Unfortunately, you cannot get a guaranteed NEC for most Navy enlistments. You can only get a guaranteed rating.

All submarine ratings are closed to women, as Navy submarines are not designed to provide any form of privacy. The Navy has two other ratings that are closed to women: SEAL, and Special Warfare Combatant-craft Crewmen.

The Navy offers three primary programs: Guaranteed Job, General Detail (called "GENDET"), and GTEP, which is a GENDET targeted enlistment program. Under the Guaranteed Job program, your rating is guaranteed in your enlistment contract. Of course, just because you want the job, doesn't mean you'll absolutely get it. First, you must meet the job's qualification criteria ( ASVAB scores, security clearance eligibility, vision requirements, medical requirements, ect.). Then, even if you qualify, there must be a projected opening in the job during the time-period you are enlisting. The Navy CREO listing can give you a pretty good idea about what jobs should be available.

If you enlist under the GENDET program, you are not guaranteed a specific job. Instead, when you graduate from basic training, you'll proceed to your first duty assignment, and perform general duties. After a year or so, you'll be allowed to "strike" (apply) for any rating that you meet the qualifications for, and that has projected openings. The advantage of this program is that you'll have time to actually watch other ratings in action for a period, before deciding what your Navy job is going to be. The disadvantage is that you'll be doing "scut work" (swabbing decks, painting, other manual labor tasks) for your first year, or so, of military service.

The GTEP program is a mixture of the two other programs. Under this program, you do not have a specific job guaranteed in your enlistment contract, but you are guaranteed a job in a specific community, such as:

Administration DK, PN, RP, YN
Controller/Guidance AG
Engineering EN, GSM, MM, MR
Electronics STG
Electrical EM, GSE
Hull/Combat Systems DC, HT, MN
Navigation QM, SM
Operations/Communications OS, IT
Ordnance GM
Aviation Ordnance AO
Special Services MS, SH
Mechanical (Aviation) AME, AM(H/S), PR
Medical HM
Boatswain’s Mate (Aviation) ABE, ABF, ABH
Legal/Law Enforcement LN/MA
Those who enlist under the GTEP program, graduate basic training and are sent to their first duty assignment. After 12 months, they are then guaranteed to attend job school in one of the ratings listed in their guaranteed community.

Basic Training
The Navy only has one location for enlisted basic training : the Great Lakes Naval Training Center, which is located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, halfway between Chicago and Milwaulkee. Unlike the other services, much of Navy Boot Camp is conducted indoors. Yep -- there's indoor marching and drill, the confidence course is indoors, and even weapons (shotgun and pistol) are fired indoors. This makes a lot of sense if you think about it -- much of Navy life and duty is spent inside a ship or submarine. The Recruit Training Command processes more than 54,000 recruits through Navy Boot Camp, per year.

Before you can depart for Navy basic training, you must pass an initial fitness assessment. Your recruiter administers this test. The initial standards are:

MALE
Age: 17-19
Sit-ups: 50
Push-ups: 42
1.5 mile run: 12:30

Age: 20-24
Sit-ups: 46
Push-ups: 37
1.5 mile run: 13:30

Age: 25-29
Sit-ups: 43
Push-ups: 34
1.5 mile run: 14:00

Age: 30-34
Sit-ups: 40
Push-ups: 31
1.5 mile run: 14:30

FEMALE
Age: 17-19
Sit-ups: 50
Push-ups: 19
1.5 mile run: 15:00

Age: 20-24
Sit-ups: 46
Push-ups: 16
1.5 mile run: 15:30

Age: 25-29
Sit-ups: 43
Push-ups: 13
1.5 mile run: 16:08

Age: 30-34
Sit-ups: 40
Push-ups: 11
1.5 mile run: 16:45

During the first week of basic training, you will also have to pass a Navy 3rd Class Swim Test. If you can't swim, don't worry. The Navy instructors will teach you how (at least well enough to pass this test).

In order to graduate from Navy basic training, you must score at least a "Good (Low)" score on the normal Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT). For those who are age 17 through 19, that means:

MALE
Sit-ups: 62
Push-ups: 51
1.5 mile run: 11:00

FEMALE
Sit-ups: 62
Push-ups: 24
1.5 mile run: 13:30

The Navy does not usually grant leave (vacation) immediately after basic training. When you graduate from Navy basic, you'll proceed to your Navy A-School (job school). Your first leave will be when you graduate from A-School, or around 10 days during the Christmas period, whichever happens first. If you enlisted under the GENDET or GTEP programs (no guaranteed job), your first leave will be at the discretion of your supervisor.

Assignment Opportunities
The Navy has around 51 major bases in the Continental United States (CONUS). They also have bases located overseas in Hawaii, Bahrain, Italy, Cuba, Greece, Guam, Japan, South Korea, Spain, and the United Kingdom (England). Many Navy assignments are not actually to bases, but rather Sailors are assigned to a ship or submarine, which would call one of these bases its "home port." Of course, assignment opportunities depend on your Navy job. For example, if your Navy fixing F-18 aircraft, you will be assigned only to Naval Air Stations and ships that have F-18 aircraft.

Sailors work with people called "Detailers" to arrange assignments. Detailers are in charge of all assignments for a particular job-community and rank (rate) range. The vast majority of sailors rotate from a period of shore duty to a period of sea duty (assigned to a ship or submarine). The actual length of the rotations vary from one Navy job to another, but usually averages 36 months of shore duty, followed by 36 months of sea duty (assigned to a ship or submarine). I should note sea duty doesn't mean the Sailor will be "at sea" for 36 months, straight. Ships and submarines also spend time at thier home ports. Some Navy jobs spend more time assigned to a ship/submarine. These jobs are the type that have significantly more requirements on ships or subs than they have in shore duty positions. These are called "Sea Intensive Ratings." A SIR is a rating that has a sea/shore rotation period of greater than 48/36.

Some "shore" assignments are counted as "sea duty" for rotational purposes. This is generally true if the shore assignment requires the Sailor to be away from his/her base for more than 150 days per year, or overseas "remote" assignments, where dependents are not authorized.

Sailors generally must have 36 months time-on-station (TOS) before they can be reassigned from one state-side base to another state-side base, or from a state-side base to an overseas assignment. Most overseas assignments are for a minimum of two years for Sailors unaccompanied by dependents, and for three years for those who are accompanied. There are some assignments (such as Korea or Cuba), which are considered "remote" 12 month assignments.

Deployments
The vast majority of Navy deployments are at sea on Naval ships and submarines. I'm often asked what Navy job one should select, if they don't want to deploy to sea. The answer is, if you don't want to deploy on ships or submarines, don't join the Navy. The larger ships (such as aircraft carriers) are small cities, with more than 5,000 sailors aboard. They use pretty much every job there is. There are cooks aboard. There are medical personnel aboard. There are communication and computer specialists aboard. There are finance, administrative, and law clerks aboard. There is pretty much every single Navy job aboard. If you join the Navy, you're going to spend some time deployed at sea. There's no way around it. Of course, some ratings (jobs) spend more time deployed at sea than others. Examples would be aircrew and aircraft maintenance, sonar technicians, boatsman mates, ect. You may want to see the article, Life Aboard a Navy Ship.

Most Sailors are assigned to ships or submarines for three year periods, followed by three years of shore duty. That does not mean they will be deployed to sea for the entire three years that they are assigned to a ship or submarine. The ships and subs also spend a significant amount of time docked at their home port. Most ships deploy to sea duty for months at a time (usually for six months, but up to nine months). Then they return to their home port for four or five months (during which time there will be several one or two week cruises for training purposes).

Just because you're on shore duty assignment, doesn't mean you won't get deployed. The Navy taps (both volunteers and non-volunteers) about 10,000 Sailors per yearr for Individual Augmentee Duty. Those selected work outside of their regular Navy job, and are deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan (usually for 12 months) to assist the Army and Marine Corps with combat missions and patrols.

Quality of Life
When not a sea, the Navy has a fairly good quality of life program (family housing, on-base shopping and services, and recreation). Their exchange system (shopping) is considered by many military members to be the best among the services. They are, however, still trying to play catch up in the area of enlisted barracks. Not their fault -- they had a long way to go, when they decided to work on this project. It wasn't that long ago that all junior enlisted unmarried sailors, assigned to a ship, lived on the ship, even when that ship was in home port for months at a time. That mean't that a junor enlisted unmarried sailor would have all of a few dozen square feet to call their own (the area of their "rack" (bed). In order to rectify this, the Navy had to commit to spending multi-millions in building juniore enlisted barracks, just to house all those junior enlisted living on ships. In 2004, 24,000 junior sailors lived aboard ship. By July 2008, that number is now down to 9,000. The Navy has established an agressive program called "Home Port Ashore," dedicated to constructing commercial-like apartment complexes for unmarried junior sailors (rank of E-1 to E-3). They hope to have all junior unmarried sailors living in such complexes by 2016. Many junior sailors who currently live in Navy barracks, currently have a roommate, but when the project is complete, all junior sailors will have single rooms. The new "apartment complexes" feature single rooms with private bathrooms, with two Sailors sharing a common living room and kitchen.

At most bases, Sailors in the rank of E-4 and above, with at least four years of service (including those assigned to ships) can move off base and receive a monetary housing allowance, called BAH. They even continue to receive the BAH when the ship is deployed to sea (that way, they don't have to terminate their leases).

Like the other services, the Navy is converting existing on-base family housing to "military privatized housing." Under this concept, civilian companies are encouraged to construct, maintain, and manage military-only housing complexes on and close to military bases. The Navy program is called “ Public Private Ventures.” At most bases, married Sailors are given a choice of living in family housing, or living off base at a place of their choosing, with a monthly housing allowance.

Sailors who are authorized to live off base at government expense, and those who live in family housing receive a monthly food allowance, called BAS. Those who live in the barracks/dormitories do not normally receive this allowance, but eat their meals for free in the on-base dining facilities (chow halls).

Promotion Opportunities
Individuals enlisting in the Navy can receive advanced promotion, up to the rank (rate) of Seaman (E-3), for such things as college credits, JROTC, Eagle Scout, Civil Air Patrol, etc. Additonally, the Navy offers accelerated promotions to the paygrade of E-4 for enlistment in certain fields such as the Nuclear Field, or SEAL, and enlistment in the AEF/ATF programs. Navy Enlisted Promotions to E-2 and E-3 are based on a combination of time-in-service and time-in-grade. Sailors are promoted to E-4 through E-7, based on a combination of promotion points, and results of a 200 question written test. Generally, about one-half of the questions are about general Navy subjects, and the other half covers the specific rating (job). Those considered for promotion to E-7 must also be selected by a Navy-wide promotion selection board. Navy enlisted promotions to E-8 and E-9 are also made by a Navy-wide promotion board.

Actual promotion rates depend on your Navy job. It's a lot easier to get promoted in a job in which the Navy is experiencing a significant shortage of manpower than in a job that doesn't have a shortage. Additionally, it's often almost impossible to get promoted if you are in a job that is significantly overmanned, unless you volunteer to re-train into a shortage job. On the other hand, there are a handful of Navy jobs, at any given time, that are so undermanned that the Navy has established a 100 percent promotion rate for everyone within that job.

Educational Opportunities
Of course, everyone who enlists on active duty is eligible for the G.I. Bill. Like the Army, the Navy offers a college fund for individuals who agree to enlist in jobs that the Navy considers critically undermanned. The Navy College Fund adds money to your monthly GI Bill entitlements. Like all of the services, in addition to the G.I. Bill, the Navy also gives tuition assistance for college courses you take when off-duty.

Like all of the services, when you are off-duty, you can take college courses on campuses close to the military base you are assigned to, or take advantage of courses offered on-base through the base education offices. Courses offered on-base are by actual colleges and universities, that are considered "military friendly," in that they generally give credit for military training, and usually have liberal credit transfer policies. The Navy even brings along civilian college professors on some of the larger ships (such as aircraft carriers) to offer college courses while at sea. Many Sailors also take advantage of online courses and correspondance courses while deployed at sea.

Enlisted Commissioning Programs
Like the other services, the Navy offers a chance for qualified enlisted sailors to finish college and earn a commission as a Naval Officer. Until a few years ago, the Navy had a large variety of enlisted commissioning programs, including:

Seaman to Admiral
Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP)
Aviation Enlisted Commissioning Program (AECP)
Nuclear Enlisted Commissioning Program (NECP)
Civil Engineer Corps Enlisted Commissioning Program (CECECP)
Fleet Accession to Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) (Includes Nurse Option)
Broadened Opportunity for Officer Selection and Training (BOOST)
All of these programs had different procedures and selection standards which became somewhat confusing. So, Navy lumped all of their enlisted commissioning programs under one massive program, called STA-21. Under STA-21, Sailors have a variety of options to help them complete their bachelor's degree and be commissioned as an officer in the United States Navy.

Qualified enlisted sailors with the prerequisite experience in their Navy job, can also apply for a commission as a Navy Warrant Officer or Limited Duty Officer (LDO).

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