by A. Elizabeth Brown

Created on: May 05, 2008   Last Updated: September 09, 2008

Today's Military: Far Beyond The Basics

With ever-rising gas prices and basic food staples pinching wallets like never before...what better time to take a look at military or guard service as a sound, secure career with loads of fringe benefits?

Wait a minute - your first thought is likely, "Are you nuts? We're at war!" True, yet the military has career options today like never before, many of which allow you to remain Stateside. Military bases today are microcosms - in the event a base must be shut down from allowing on-off access, those members living on base would feel minimal impact on their quality of life, healthcare, access to veterinary services, schools, childcare services, gyms, churches and entertainment venues...you name it, as bases today are self-sustaining, powered in large part by a workforce of active duty service members.

Some MOS (Military Occupational Specialties) are less likely to be deployed than others; check with a recruiter for further information and help in making the right career choice for you. Many jobs have enlistment and/or reinlistment bonuses. The military not only foots the bill for educating you in preparation for your job, it pays you during schooling and also offers the G.I. Bill, which pays for you to attend college on your own time, should you choose to.

The military is chock-full of benefits that will save you a bundle, making your paycheck a great deal fatter than at first glance. For instance, not only are military members afforded shopping discounts through base commissaries and minimal cost meals or a meal allowance each day, they also have extremely low-cost to free health care (imagine paying $17.00 a day for each day of a hospital stay after surgery or labor and delivery - and that's IT. No more bills hounding you for years to come.) Military healthcare is top-rate and getting ever better; providers are highly educated, driven professionals serious about delivering quality care, and they utilize the same proven principles employed in successful civilian hospitals and clinics to insure successful patient outcomes. Access to care is comprehensive - you'd be hard-pressed today to be unable to find any needed specialty on base. Military members can fill prescriptions as well as some over-the-counter medications on base for free, or out in town for a minimal copay. Additionally, there are numerous opportunities for assistance for families with special needs, and support groups of all kinds.

Military housing is available on most bases, or members are allotted a housing allowance based upon rank and number of dependents, with cost of living factored in. Each branch of the military also has a group dedicated to troop morale, welfare and recreation; part of these groups' mission is to organize events of all kinds for military families to enjoy and share a sense of community.

What other workplace has the job security afforded by the military? I'll tell you: none. No one gets fired or laid off from the military. The only chance you might lose your job is if you were to step outside the limits of the law and be discharged dishonorably, or if you were to become physically or mentally incapable of fulfilling the mission required by your MOS. Job security is a rising concern Nationwide today; in the military, your family's future is secure.

Learn more about this author, A. Elizabeth Brown.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.