Joining the military can have many opportunities, whether it is receiving money for an education, being promoted, learning valuable job skills for the future, or obtaining any of the retirement benefits that a soldier is entitled to when they have served their country. Depending on the different levels of service a soldier has done, opportunities can vary. Here are a few examples of how ranks, promotions or education can get you the best military opportunities:

Enlisted Personnel:

• Primary workforce
• Start at lowest rank and work towards advancement
• Preferred to have a high school diploma
• Time, good service and advanced education can entitle a soldier to promotions

Reserve Service:

• Work part time, drill one weekend per month and two weeks per year
• Attend basic training and receive job training
• After training can return to civilian life, aside from drills with their respective unit
• After 20 years and by age 60, reservists can receive retirement based on reserve pay

Regular Service:

• Sent to basic training, and then special job training schools
• After training, they are assigned to a unit or station
• After 20 years, they are eligible for military retirement

Officers:

• Must have a four-year college education from an accredited school
• Joining a program that can lead to becoming an officer
• Begin at a supervisory ranking

Attending a Military Academy:

• ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps)
• Officer Candidate Schools can provide leadership skills needed for advancement

There are many different ways a soldier can receive opportunities for doing their job well, and putting in the time and dedication. Using the benefits can also make life better as a civilian, with the educational assistance as well as job skills and training.