(I say teenage civilian because there are lots of teenagers in the military. Fun fact: you can join the military at age 17 with parents consent)
A good friend has three teenagers in high school that are looking ahead to college or a career. One asked me for information about service in the military as far as a career, paying for college/education and what it’s like.
The following was my attempt to explain the difference in military service and a job.
If you are working at Walmart and they offer you the Assistant Manager job in Uganda, Africa, you can say, “No thanks.” The military gives little or no choice in duty location or unit assignment. If a unit in Alaska needs a Track Vehicle Mechanic or Medic and that’s what you do, better buy some snowshoes. Stateside duty assignments usually last three years. Foreign duty assignments usually last two years. Living in France or Italy on the government dime may seem like a dream come true, but spending two years in India, Turkey or Pakistan could be a nightmare. And you don’t have a choice other than to get out of the military. Duty station reassignments usually occur around reenlistment time. If you don’t like your next proposed duty station, you can get out. I’ve seen people with only four years to go till retirement get out because they didn’t want to go to Korea. Kind of wasting 16-years-service. It puts you out in the civilian job market at 34-36 years old with no retirement plan. Or no marketable civilian skill if you were a tank commander for the past 16 years. What civilian company uses tanks?
If you’re working at Walmart and your supervisor tells you to go mop up the vomit in aisle three, you can say, “No thanks, I quit.” Can’t do that in the military. You signed a contract and the military spent a bunch of money training you to do a specific job. Once in the military, there are very few ways out that will not affect you the rest of your life. Other than successfully completing your military service or leaving the service because of injury or disability, most other ways out incur a General Discharge or Dishonorable Discharge. Not something you want to put on your resume’ or a job application.
If you’re working at Walmart and your supervisor tells you to go mop up the vomit in aisle three and you roll your eyes at him (Emily) because this is the third time this week you have had vomit duty, no big deal. If you’re in the military and your Squad Leader or Platoon Sergeant tells you to go mop up the vomit in the recreation room and you roll your eyes, you have shown disrespect towards a superior, a violation of the Unified Code of Military Justice (UCMJ). You could be reduced in rank, required to forfeit a portion of your pay, be confined to your quarters, assigned extra duty or be required to participate in remedial training.
If you’re working at Walmart and you arrive a few minutes late to punch in, your supervisor may tell you to try to be on time. If you are in the military and the unit is supposed to be lined up in front of the barracks at 5:30 AM, and you are not standing in your spot when the First Sergeant say’s “Fall in”, you have again violated the UCMJ by not being in your designated duty location at the appointed time. Again, you could be reduced in rank, required to forfeit a portion of your pay, be confined to your quarters, assigned extra duty or be required to participate in remedial training.
If you’re working at Walmart and you’ve been packing on the pounds because you’ve been buying their day-old cheesecakes and eating them for dinner, no big deal. Your supervisor could care less but may tell you to get a larger-size Walmart vest. If you are in the military and your weight exceeds the maximum amount for your height, you will receive a Suspense of Favorable Action, meaning nothing good can happen to you until you meet your weight standard. Meaning you cannot be considered for promotion, to attend additional schools, or better duty assignments. If you are due a bonus payment, the payment will be held up until you lose weight. You may also be required to attend additional physical training and classes on diet and exercise, usually on off-duty time (your time). Also, if your enlistment is about up, you will not be allowed to reenlist if you exceed your maximum weight.
If you’re working at Walmart and your supervisor ask you to take the time-cards to the front office and it takes you 30 minutes because of all your cheesecake weight, no big deal. He’s probably just happy you show up for work (even if you’re occasionally a few minutes late). If you are in the military and you cannot run two miles in a minimum time, or do a minimum number of push-ups and sit-ups, all based on your age, you will receive a Suspense of Favorable Action. Restrictions are same as listed above.
If you’re working at Walmart and you didn’t have time to iron your shirt or clean the mud off your boots from four-wheeling, no big deal. If you’re in the military and show up for duty in a jacked-up uniform or muddy boots, you are in violation of Army Regulation 670-1, Wear and Appearance of Army Uniforms and Insignia. Violations will normally incur negative counseling statements, remedial training or extra duty. AR 670-1 specifies everything and I mean everything including how long your hair can be, how to trim your mustache, how far your belt can stick out past the buckle; how far above or below your belt your necktie can be. Going outside without a hat is a violation. Wearing a hat indoors is a violation. Failure to wear appropriate undergarments is a violation. At Walmart, just remember to bring your Walmart vest.
If you’re working at Walmart and you’re having trouble staying awake because you stayed out too late the night before, no big deal. Find a chair in the back of the warehouse and take a quick nap. If your supervisor catches you, he’ll probably just wake you up and send you back on the floor or doc your time-card. If you’re in the military and you fall asleep on duty, you’ll find yourself in big trouble. If you fall asleep on guard duty you could face a Court Martial and jail time.
The point I’m trying to emphasis is, little things that happen all the time at civilian jobs and are no big deal ARE a big deal in military service. Something to consider before you sign a three or six- year contract to join. But if you are a mature, organized, detailed oriented person who can follow rules and take responsibility for your actions, you’ll do just fine. Over 180,000 enlist in the military each year. None of them are any better than you.