by Misty Cryer-Davidson

Created on: May 06, 2008   Last Updated: April 28, 2010

Isn't It a Bad Time to Join the Military or State Guard?

You have probably been advised that historically, joining the military or state guard is an excellent option that gives you a step-up to a fabulous future without the extreme costs of higher education. During peace-time, that may have seemed to be a good idea to you, but now with the wars going on, all you can see is you on the front line packing a M203 grenade launcher, and that doesn't look like much a future for you.

Shake off that vision! It is time to realize that there are actually hundreds of thousands of non-combat jobs in the military and the state guard. There you will find fruitful career opportunities and you don't have to be a buff bodybuilder or a marksman to take advantage. This line of business might really present a break for you!

A small portion of the total military active personnel in the United States is actually engaging in battles, and fewer than you would expect are stationed overseas. Technical occupations are the largest percentage of military occupations, while infantry is the smallest. Most of the active duty personnel of the military are actually stationed in the states or U.S. territories.

According to Wikipedia, as of October 2007, there were about 1.4 million personnel in the United States Military on active duty. In September 2006, 14.9% of the military personnel were females. About 1.1 million of the active personnel are stationed in the United States or U.S. territories.

The Population Bulletin dated December 2004, disclosed that in the fiscal year of 2002, only about 17% of enlisted personnel were in infantry. Other occupations of enlisted personnel included technical occupations (about 49%) and administration/other (about 35%) which include craftsmen and supply.

The active-duty military in 2002 by race/ethnicity consisted of men (64% white, 20% black, 10% Hispanic and 6% other) and women (49% white, 34% black, 10% Hispanic, and 7% other). Women under 25-years-old equal more than half of the enlisted women and almost half of the enlisted men are under 25. As far as socioeconomic status, the military is underrepresented by both the highest and the lowest socioeconomic groups. Just the average guy (or girl) is joining the military today.

There are many benefits to serving in the United States Military. According to the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs, the benefits for veterans and family consist of health care, pensions, education, home loan guarantees, life insurance,

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