Military - US ARMY

GOARMY.COM

Joining the military is unlike any other option because there are benefits

you won't find anywhere else. An important step is understanding the many

tangible and intangible benefits of joining the Army:

    - A guaranteed paycheck and Cash Bonuses

   -  Education Benefits

    - Advanced and Specialty Training

    - 30 days annual paid vacation

    - Travel

    - Option for full-time or part time service

    - Tax-free room, board and allowances

    - Health and Dental Care

    - Use of commissary and Military Exchange stores

    - Special home loans and discounts

    - Unparalleled sense of patriotism, duty, honor and selfless service

    -  Highly sought-after skills, leadership and training experience

* College Loan Repayment Program and Student Loan Deferment Program: The

Military College Loan Repayment Program (CLRP) is an enlistment incentive

for new recruits. The Military's Federal Student Loan Forgiveness Program is

a benefit that eliminates up to $65,000 in existing student loan debt. Army

offers Student Loan Repayment programs for qualified candidates. The Army

will repay the maximum allowed by law for non-prior service active duty

enlistments. The Army and Army National Guard repay up to $20,000 for

Reserve enlistments. While deferments don't reduce your debt obligations,

they can be helpful in delaying them. Eligibility rules are determined by

status, lender requirements and other conditions. Not all branches pay CLRP

benefits. The availability and amount depend on the branch of service. The

Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Air Force Reserves do not offer the College

Loan Repayment Program.

Education

Military service can make it possible to earn a college degree without

racking up big student loans. Tuition assistance while in the Army - and GI

Bills after you leave - can cover the entire cost.

Job Skills

The Army offers training in more than 150 different careers, in fields as

diverse as engineering, music and photography. The skills you acquire in the

Army will serve you well for the rest of your life.

Medical Care

Medical care is expensive in civilian life, but in the Army, it is all

covered - both medical and dental procedures. Moreover, there are no

co-pays, deductibles or monthly premiums.

Career and Retirement

For many, the Army offers career opportunities. If you spend 20 years in the

Army you can retire and begin to collect a pension immediately. If you wait

until you are 65 years old or serve 30 years, you can collect even more.

Focus

Many people entering adulthood are uncertain what they want to do with the

rest of their lives. Army service provides you with the opportunity to do

something worthwhile while you assess your life interests and priorities.

Travel

The U.S. military maintains more than 800 bases and other installations in

more than 70 countries. So a career in the Army can take you all over the

country and around the world. When you are on leave, you can visit locations

that you probably would never have the opportunity see otherwise.

Preferential Hiring

Many employers give hiring preference to veterans because they know that

former soldiers typically make good leaders, exhibit maturity, job

experience and good work standards. If you work for the federal civil

service, your military time counts toward your federal retirement.

VA Benefits

Buying a home is the biggest investment that most people ever make. The

military's VA loan programs offer a number of alternatives that make it

easier for you to acquire your first home.

Patriotism

Many join the Army because they feel that it is the right thing to do.

Defending and serving the country is a high calling and for some it is a

family tradition. The camaraderie and sense of community that soldiers find

in the Army might not be replicated in civilian life.