Joining the Army

The process of joining the Army begins with first speaking to a recruiter. Recruiter are usually Noncommissioned Officers in the ranks of Sergeant to Sergeant First Class who have been trained in marketing and recruiting techniques. Recruiters can be very useful in answering questions about the military, but it is usually a good thing for the individual to do research on his own in addition to listening to the recruiter. The person should review available options and information about the different job options available. The training associated with many of the Military Occupational Specialties translate into college credit and professional certifications in the civilian world. The training for MOS’s can vary from three weeks to eighteen months. Some of the jobs limit individuals on assignment choices. Certain jobs only offer assignments at certain locations. Such information needs to be researched before finalizing your decision for which job to choose. After your research is complete, you need to go to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to take the ASVAB test and complete the necessary tests, evaluations, and screening that is required prior to joining. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery or ASVAB test will determine which jobs you qualify. After the test, you will take a urinalysis and breathalyser test. You will undergo a through medical examination and screening. You will go through a security background check, and as the last part of the MEPS processing, you will sit down with a career counselor and review your finalized contract options. The counselor will present you with the job options that are available to you and other contract options. The options could consist of monetary bonuses, assignment choices, and job choices. Usually the jobs that are understrength offer bonus that will range up to several thousand dollars. One must weigh out during this final step what is important. This is where the prior research is important. It would be best to make a list of jobs that would be comfortable prior to the trip to MEPS. You are also given options on the length of your enlistment. All enlistments are for eight years, but options are available for the length of the service that will be active and the length that will be inactive. Enlistment options are usually available for two years to six years active with the remaining two years to six years being inactive. It is usually best to commit to a shorter term of active service so that you will have more options available in a shorter time.