What to Expect in the Military : A Practical Guide for Young People, Parents, and Counselors

For many young people weighing the pros and cons of joining the military, the details of what their lives would be like in uniform are often a mystery. How tough is boot camp really? How much freedom would I have? What is the fine print for pay and veterans benefits? This unique guide provides a mix of factual information and practical advice from the author of a half-dozen books that translate military-ese into simple English. Students, parents, and counselors can use this helpful guide to make informed decisions about whether or not military life is right for them. Delivered in a friendly style by Budahn, who draws upon 30 years' experience writing about the military for civilian publications, this volume looks at four different phases of the journey from civilian society into the military: making the decision to join, boot camp and the first years in uniform, the military as a long-term job, and veteran's benefits. Factual details, practical advice, stories from young people now on active duty, and even humor are sprinkled throughout its pages. Future service members will learn how the recruitment process works, what boot camp basics are, what the rules of the military are, what types of benefits to expect as a veteran, as well as a wealth of other details concerning this unique career choice. Such information as military pay, military abbreviations and acronyms, and major medals awarded is also included. Students, parents, and counselors can use this helpful guide to make informed decisions about whether or not military life is right for them. As a Forward Air Controller during the escalating Vietnam war, Flanagan was plunged into major operations in key combat areas. A factual combat history with spectacular air strikes, team rescues, lost men, and thwarted rescue attempts, this autobiographical account is also a thoughtful look at the values of the soldier. 23 photographs; map. Contents......Page 6 Preface......Page 8 Acknowledgments......Page 10 1 Who, Me? A Soldier?......Page 14 2 A Snapshot of You in Uniform......Page 24 3 Military Life......Page 34 4 The Recruiter......Page 42 5 Other Military Options......Page 54 6 Making Your Pick......Page 64 7 Aptitude Tests......Page 70 8 Military Entrance Processing Station......Page 78 9 Getting Ready for Boot Camp......Page 84 10 Boot Camp Basics......Page 92 11 Boot Camp Details......Page 100 12 Survival Kit of Information......Page 108 13 Rules, Rules, Rules......Page 118 14 Paychecks and Benefits......Page 130 15 Retirement......Page 142 16 Spouses, Children, Ex-Spouses, Survivors......Page 150 17 Your First Postmilitary Job......Page 158 18 Veterans Benefits......Page 168 19 Special Vets, Special Problems......Page 176 Appendix A: The Military Credo......Page 184 Appendix B: Ten Ribbons to Recognize......Page 190 Appendix C: Rank Insignia......Page 194 Appendix D: Short Histories of the Military Services......Page 200 Appendix E: Military Life in the Movies......Page 214 Appendix F: Military Jobs and Civilian Jobs......Page 222 Appendix G: Locations of MEPS Centers......Page 230 C......Page 232 H......Page 233 T......Page 234 U......Page 235 Selected Bibliography......Page 236 F......Page 238 W......Page 239 For many young people, the pros and cons of a career in the military can be a mystery. How tough really is boot camp? What sort of pay and benefits can one expect? This guide is designed to help readers make an informed decision on whether or not the military life is the right choice for them. A military man presents real-life information and advice to young men and women considering joining the military, covering options, aptitude tests, the entrance processing station, boot camp, pay and benefits, retirement, family issues, and other related topics