Persuasive Essay On Joining The Military

I, (the enlistee would state their name here), do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States. This was the first oath of enlistment given by officers and enlistees into the U.S. military in 1790 as required by congress. This oath has changed over the years but one statement remains the same and that is the promise to support the constitution of the united states. For the past 40 years the United States has been an all-volunteer military. But why would someone voluntarily sign with the possibility to be sent to another country to fight and possibly die? Although people may join the military for various and different reasons, joining the military will have a very positive effect both your future civilian
career and your character. Before considering why someone should join the military, let’s look at why people are joining. A Pew survey that was conducted in 2011 on “War and Sacrifice in Post 9/11 Era” states the three main reasons that people have for joining the armed forces are, duty to country, paid college tuition, and to get out of a financial situation. People who join can get 100% paid college tuition while they are enlisted. Someone who may be living with their parents or may not even have a steady place to live would join the military and live rent free and have 3 meals a day with a full untouched paycheck. Finally, duty to country is the largest reason for joining the military, one example of this is the terrorist attacks on U.S. soil on September 11, 2001, after these attacks the U.S. military saw a surge in recruitment. Army Sgt. Cheri Depenbrock a former army recruiter stated in an interview with the American Forces Press Service stated “While patriotism has always driven young people to service, it was almost always matched with a desire for college money or new opportunities. Suddenly, they weren’t asking about money, it was all about the patriotism. They didn’t care about anything else. Money had nothing do with it. I swear, I think half those kids would have joined if we hadn’t paid them.” Although there are many reasons why one would join the military, joining has many benefits. Someone with prior military service will be highly sought after in the civilian job market, one reason being is leadership capability. From when you enter your specific branch entry training to when your service is done you are taught to lead, make decisions, and work as a team and these skills translate into all civilian careers. The military help you gain and maintain financial stability to single and married soldiers through financial classes to pay incentives like food and housing allowances; Paid college tuition are offered to soldiers and their spouses also. Another great benefit joining the military is the free online courses like cyber security, Microsoft office training, business courses, college credit courses and more. As we have seen joining the military gives someone many opportunities to better themselves and help someone more employable in the civilian market. As with anything in life there is a cut off time.
Depending on the branch of service someone wishes to join there is a minimum age of 17 years old with a signed consent form from the parents of the enlistee, and a maximum is between 28 and 35 again depending on branch. If someone is looking for a full career in the military it is best to join as early as possible but regardless of what age someone joins the military it will have the same positive opportunities open to them. However, depending on what someone wants to do in the military it is advisable to join later after a bachelor’s degree is obtained, once this is done the person enlisting can join at a higher rank which can give them an opportunity to reach higher rank sooner than someone who enlist right out of high school. Another opportunity if a bachelor’s degree is obtained before joining is the chance to commission as an officer. Doing this will give you the training to lead soldiers and make tactical decisions while under physical and emotional stress. Commissioning will give you better pay than enlisting into the military, although you are getting higher pay you are in a different ranking system and is more competitive to move up in rank. Someone who does not wish to get a college education can still enlist but will enter in the lowest rank and lowest pay, however there are some ways to go in at a higher rank such as 4 years of high school JROTC experience, or enlisting with a
buddy. There are many reasons or ages people join the military but no matter the reason or when they decide join there are great things they can learn and achieve that will help them further themselves and their civilian careers. Through military training, incentives, and education assistance the military and make one incredible desirable in the civilian market. Someone who wants to join the military has to join with a plan that will help them in every other aspect of their life.