Thursday, April 4, 2013

IF I Join The Military Will I Have To Fight?

By Megan R. Grayson


The United States Coast Guard is a branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is a maritime service that was founded as the Revenue Cutter Service in 1790. It claims to be the oldest continuous seagoing service in the country.As of 2009, the US Coast Guard had 42,000 men and women on active duty, with 7,500 reservists, 29,000 auxiliarists, and 7,700 full-time civilian employees. They provide the country's maritime security and law enforcement, and also provide search & rescue, marine environmental protection, and more.

There are many benefits to joining the this branch of the military. You are paid twice a month, on the 1st and the 15th based on your pay grade. It is a salary-based paying position. As you gain knowledge and perform well, you can be promoted. Your time is service is also factored into any promotions you may receive. You are paid 2.5 days of paid vacation per month for a total of 30 days per year (most companies won't offer that much time off until you've been around for 10 years or so).The US Coast Guard offers all specialties to both men and women, including combat roles. Your career path is based on aptitude, physical abilities, security clearance, motivation and determination.If you are an active member of the coast guard, you will receive complete medical and dental care at no cost, and you are covered for $400,000 in term life insurance at a minimal cost. You will also receive tax-free money for Basic Allowance for Housing, if government housing isn't available in the area you are stationed. You will also get Basic Allowance for Subsistence if government dining facilities are not available, and a uniform allowance.

Bootcamp, while quite exciting is no laughing matter. You will endure weeks of intense physical, mental, and academic training. You will be pushed to your limits and perhaps find yourself wanting to quit many times along the way. This is something that you must keep in mind, as only a true desire to succeed will help you survive. After bootcamp you will go through your specialty training school which will prepare you for your specific job within your branch of service. This can take anywhere from a few short months to over a year. While this is quite rigorous too, many find specialty training school slightly easier than bootcamp.

The Army depends on the vigor of youth, but you must be at least 18 to join the service, although a parent or guardian may sign a consent form if you want to enter at 17. Active-duty soldiers must be between 17 and 42, reservists between 17 and 40, and guard soldiers between 17 and 35.Your Citizenship's Status,The Army accepts any legal permit resident of the United States with a green card that substantiates his resident alien status for enlistment in the U.S. Army. If the recruit wants to become a citizen, he will be fast-tracked along the road to naturalization. Until that time, he might be restricted from performing some Army jobs, but he will treated as a citizen within the Army. US citizenship at the time of recruitment is not a requirement to join the Army.

Determining Your Future With ASVAB Testing,Just because you join the Army does not mean that you will be on the front lines. The Army has many needs and offers many job opportunities for recruits. To find your career path, you must pass a battery of tests known as the ASVAB, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.The tests assess your abilities in the following areas:Word knowledge,Paragraph comprehension,Sum of Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension,Arithmetic Reasoning,Mathematical Knowledge,Numerical Operations,General Science,Coding Speed,Auto and Shop Information,Mechanical Comprehension.Electronics Information.Your score on the ABVAS determines your fitness for the military, as well as your suitability for particular careers. Some jobs require a higher package of verbal skills,while others require math or engineering abilities. If you are aiming for particular career path, you should review the Army jobs list and then prepare to improve your scores in certain areas much as you would for a college entrance exam.

Before enlisting, you should know the requirements to join the Army to make sure you can meet them. In many cases, you can do what is necessary to enlist, such as losing weight, developing your physical strength, or continuing your education. Joining the Army offers many rewards,but you must meet the requirements to enjoy them.It is the day after Memorial Day and most people are returning to work. The parades and fireworks are done, the picnics eaten and the gardens planted. But, for me, the significance of the day still lingers.

There were many sentiments shared regarding our Armed Forces and those that serve our country. Regardless of your beliefs and political views, there is no doubt we need to recognize how fortunate we are to have such protection for our Rights Liberty and Freedoms.I was thinking about what I take for granted, the choices I have, the times I spend moaning about the cost of groceries or gas and it hit me. I have that right because someone's relative fought in my name. They did not know me, were strangers to me, but they went to war and as a result, I am a free person with more rights than so many others in third world countries.I never signed up for the Army, Coast Guard, Navy, Air Force, National Guard, or Marines Corp. I know my Dad served in the Army but did not see battle. I know my Grandpa Joe was in the Army but do not remember where or when. So, for me personally, I have not dealt with anyone who had war duty and how it affected them.

But, I have friends whose relatives did serve in different wars and I know how they reacted. I have a girlfriend whose husband has served several tours in Afghanistan. I know she worries and prays for his safe return and she and her daughter miss him terribly.I have friends who lost their son in law and I remember standing on the street as his hearse went by, watching the salutes and honor and feeling so sad for those who had to say goodbye to this young man. It tore me apart and all I could do was join the procession and salute as his coffin me by.I know a few men who served in Vietnam and that is all I know because they would never discuss any details, ever. I grew up in the age when there were protests about our involvement there, and many young people even committed suicide to either avoid being drafted or to make a statement against that war.I only have an arm chair warrior's view of World War I or WWII or any other battle. I read the history books; I watch the news and specials about Pearl Harbor, about Hitler, about Korea and the many other combats. What I am trying to say is that all of my experience, opinions and feelings are second-hand.

You do not need perfect vision to join the service, however. As long as you have a vision problem that can be corrected with glasses or contacts or laser eye surgery, you will be able to serve in the military and perhaps even fly a plane. If you are colorblind, there are some jobs or positions you might not qualify for.The Military Needs Youth.When General MacArthur said "Old soldiers never die, they just fade away," he was not talking about military entrance requirements. There is no branch of the service which currently accepts recruits over the age of 42. If you hope to enter a competitive military academy such as West Point, the Air Force Academy, or the Naval Academy to become an officer, you must be age 17 to 22.

I met an elderly veteran the other day, who stoically stood in the heat, without one word of despair, passing out poppies. And I thought, "hasn't he paid enough, and here he is still serving" How dare I complain about trivial points when this man has faced war for me. I was humbled by his strength and fortitude and his quite acceptance that his duty was not done. I have since discovered his name is Bruno Kramarz and he served in Viet Nam. He was also named Veteran of the Year in Fulton, NY. He is very active in the Veterans and I was so impressed with his quite dignity. His daughter, Joann Bomgren shared his story with me after I told her I met him outside the store. He was there for hours, no complaints and waiting for donations for the poppies. He was also in the first car in our Memorial Day parade-an honor he has earned by his inspiring service to our country.Even on 9/11, though it was now so much closer to home, it was not in my house, not in my town and not in my family. I could feel the pain and was so horrified, but from a distance that has kept me safe. And the people who serve in the Armed Forces have made that possible.The price tag for them lasts a lifetime whether it is memories, injury, or the highest price, their life. For me, they are all heroes and so too are the families of those soldiers. The price of my freedom, of protecting me and my family was paid in full by all those brave people. A debt I can never repay but will forever recognize and be eternally grateful.




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