Military
Branch Comparison
The Big Puzzle
| Career Areas | Qualifications and Terms of Service | Boot Camp | Beginning and Continuing Educational Opportunities and Programs | |
|
1-800-USA-ARMY |
212 MOS's (military occupational specialties) with 85,000 job openings a year |
US Citizen or Registered Alien; age 17-35; healthy and in good physical condition | 8 weeks followed by AIT (Advanced Individual Training classes) | ROTC (officer program); Continuing education and Army College Fund for up to $50,000; loan availability up to $65,000; US Military Academy at West Point, NY; Officer Candidate School; Direct Commission; Army Acquired Skills Program; DEP |
|
1-800-USA-NAVY |
60 Career Fields with 50,000 job openings a year | US Citizen (may be naturalized); age 17-34 (17 requires parental consent and nuclear specialty is age 23 maximum); High School education; ASVAB; may join with a friend | 9 weeks followed byA school (Advanced training in specialty) | ROTC (Officer Program); Continuing Ed with 75% paid by Navy; US Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD.; Officer Candidate School; Direct Commission; |
|
1-800-423-USAF |
16 Career Fields with approximately 200 subspecialties and 35,000 job openings a year | US Citizen; age 17- (17 may be married or require parental consent); ASVAB; healthy and in good physical condition | BMT (Basic Military Training) 6 weeks followed by Technical training and OJT and PME (Professional Military Education) | ROTC (Officer Program); DEP; Guaranteed Training Enlistment Program; Continuing Ed; US Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Col.; Officer Candidate School; Direct Commission; Community College of the Air Force; AECP (Airman Ed and Community Program Extension Course Inst.); |
|
1-800-MARINES |
30 Career Fields with 41,000 job openings a year | US Citizen or Registered Alien; age 17-29; ASVAB; healthy and in good physical condition | weeks followed by School of Infantry then formal training | ROTC (Officer Program); Continuing Ed; US Naval Academy at Annapolis, MD. ; Officer Candidate School; Direct Commission; DEP; EOP (Enlisted Options Program including bonuses); QEP (technical occupational fields); TAP (tuition assistance program) |
|
1-877-NOW-USCG |
7 Career Fields with 4,000 job openings a year | US Citizen; age 17-27; High School diploma; may be married but must have 2 or less dependents; ASVAB; MEPS (medical test) | 8 weeks Boot Camp followed by Class A school for formal training; advanced schools "B" and "C" may follow | Officer Candidate School; Direct Commission; Reserve appointment; Auxiliary training (voluntary and specialized training); TAP (tuition assistance program); US Coast Guard Academy at New London, Conn.; Physicians Assistance Program; Civilian DOT ; Post graduate Education program |
|
1-800-GO-GUARD |
3 Career Fields and 17 subspecialties | US Citizen; age 17; High School diploma or GED; ASVAB; no criminal convictions; medical exam; | 8 weeks | All education benefits vary from state to state |
|
1-800-TO-GO-GUARD |
180 Career Fields | US Citizen; Medical specialties; enlistments are for 6 years | 8 weeks | Montgomery GI Bill; and up to $20,000 loan repayment incentive; PME (Professional Military Ed) requirements |