Military Service for Young People; Pros and Cons

Particularly for a young person, joining the military can be a life-changing decision and should be considered carefully. The reasons someone may choose to join the military—or not—are very personal.

In this article, we will be discussing the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing a life with the military.

Pros

1. Education and Training

When you join the military, you have the opportunity to pursue your college education and professional development at a very reduced cost. There are a variety of merit-based scholarships, for example, the GI Bill and Financial Support for College which can assist you to pay for tuition and other educational-related expenses.

You will also have the opportunity to get training programs, leadership courses, as well as certifications to hone your skills.

2. Quality Healthcare

By joining the military you are able to save more from your paycheck as the Army will provide health care coverage for free or a reduced cost to help support your wellbeing and that of your family. The Army provides a comprehensive family health coverage which includes medical, vision, dental, pharmacy and life insurance. Although part-time soldiers are required to pay a token for their health care and that of their families, full-time service enjoys completely free health care.

3. Competitive and steady Salary

During your service in the military, you can be certain to earn a steady and competitive salary which would improve the longer you stay in the military and as you advance in the ranks. You also enjoy allowances to pay for housing, food, and clothing, all of these come together to ensure that you are able to save more from your paycheck.

4. Opportunity to travel

While hardly a vacation experience, being an active-duty military member gives you the opportunity to be stationed anywhere in the world and gain the unique life experiences that go along with it. Traveling and living abroad are not in and of themselves reasons to join the military, but the perspective you would get on life is unquestionably noteworthy. Being in the military is a difficult job that requires self-sacrifice.

5. Fitness and development

There are a number of physical requirements throughout basic training and when you’re on active service, which will maintain you in top physical form and teach you crucial soft skills like self-discipline.

Cons

1. It can be a dangerous job

You should seriously ask yourself if you are willing to put yourself in danger or do harm to others before thinking about joining the military. When assessing the pros and drawbacks of military duty, this is most likely your most crucial factor.

Even if you are not engaged in active combat, you may still be exposed to extremely dangerous situations depending on where you are stationed and the job you occupy within the military. Additionally, even after completing your military service and being out of imminent danger, you could still experience increased anxiety or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).

2. You can be away from loved ones

Military life can undoubtedly be advantageous in terms of travel and seeing the world, but for some, homesickness and missing significant family events—holidays, the birth of a child, or taking care of a loved one—can be an unaffordable cost.

The majority of service members must travel frequently while they are in the military. This journey could take place within the country or outside. Before enlisting in the military, it’s critical to ascertain whether you and your family are prepared to travel for the duration of your contract.

3. It is physically demanding

Even if remaining in shape and sharp could be viewed as a benefit of serving in the military, there are costs involved. In the military, training is extremely demanding, and the days can be long and exhausting. Your mental health may also suffer as a result of the physical demands of the job. This may not be the job route for you if that makes you nervous.

4. Military life is highly structured

Although the military teaches you how to be disciplined, not every personality will be successful there. It is not up to service personnel to decide where they are stationed, what they eat, or when they can take a break. From how to make your bed to how to dress your hair, soldiers are taught to obey orders.

If you consider yourself a free spirit or someone who enjoys defying convention, be aware that this is contrary to what military life will teach and demand of you. You might want to think twice before enlisting in the military as a result.

5. It is a huge commitment

The decision to enlist in the military is a major one. You sign a contract when you enlist in the military that specifies how long you’ll serve. This agreement is a binding legal document that cannot be revoked or modified.

Although it can range from two to nine years, the median length of commitment is between four and five years. You are contractually required to serve for the specified period of time once you have signed this contract, and early discharge could result in severe legal repercussions.