Military Career Options

Should I enter the Armed Services?

All males who are at least 18 years old, who were born after December 31, 1959, and who are not currently on active duty with the armed forces must be registered with the Selective Service.

The Armed Services are major employers in the nation.  They are also major sources of educational training and preparation for entry level jobs.  There are numerous job training opportunities in the military for both men and women.  If you would like to travel or earn good wages immediately, the military service may be for you.  Representatives from all the services are available to give you information about career training and/or educational opportunities.  If you are concerned about the information that you are receiving or contacts that are being made by your recruiter, see your guidance counselor.

Recruiting officers of all branches of the Armed Services visit the high schools regularly.  If you are interested, speak with your counselor or the college counselor to set up an appointment.  You can also seek additional information by visiting the recruiting offices in your area or by visiting their online websites. 

Seniors should consider learning about their specific abilities by taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).  This test is administered by appointment during the school year by military personnel in each high school.  There is no cost to either the student or school district, nor does taking the test obligate the student to enlist.

Special opportunities for job training are offered enlisted personnel who meet the testing requirements for specific jobs that may be useful in later civilian life as well.  Additional courses are paid for when needed and the credits earned are an asset in future planning.

All branches of the service offer educational assistance programs.

THE ARMED SERVICES VOCATIONAL APTITUDE BATTERY (ASVAB)

The ASVAB will be given at Vestavia Hills High School on Tuesday, October 22, 2024. 

The ASVAB is a test used by the services to help with career counseling and job placement.  Here are some of the most commonly asked questions about the ASVAB:

1.         What is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery?  The ASVAB is a group of twelve tests that measure your aptitude in five separate career field areas and provides an indication of your academic ability.  The tests are General Information, Numerical Operations, Attention to Detail, Word Knowledge, Arithmetic Reasoning, Space Perception, Mathematics Knowledge, Electronic Information, Mechanical Comprehension, General Science, Shop Information, and Automotive Information.  Your scores on these tests are combined into scores on the following composites:  Verbal; Math; Perceptual Speed; Mechanical; Trade Technical; and Academic Ability.

2.         Why should I take the ASVAB?  The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is the result of more than 35 years of military service research.  It was specifically designed to identify individual aptitudes.  If you are a senior trying to decide what to do after high school, your test scores can help identify fields worth exploring.  No matter what your age or inclination, the ASVAB can be valuable to you because it can tell you more about yourself.

The ASVAB is not a "pass" or "fail" test.  Your scores will only show how well you did in comparison to a representative sample of other students in the United States who took the same tests. You have a lot to gain and nothing to lose when you take the ASVAB.

3.         Do I incur any military obligation by taking the ASVAB?  No!  Taking the ASVAB does not obligate you to the military in any way.  You are free to use your test results in whatever manner you wish.  Additionally, ASVAB results will not be used to enter your name in any draft registration system.

            You have an option to sign a statement authorizing release of your test scores to representatives of all the military services; and, like the majority of high school students, if you are an upperclassman, you will probably be contacted by a service representative sometime before you graduate.  You should expect this whether or not you ever take the ASVAB.

MILITARY RECRUITING STATIONS:

Air Force – 5907 Trussville Crossings Parkway, Suite 119 - Telephone (334) 451-4210

Air National Guard – 5401 East Lake Boulevard – Telephone (205) 714-2385 

Army – 2766 John Hawkins Pkwy, Ste 106 – Telephone (205) 444-5440

Army National Guard – 2100 Lakeshore Drive South – Telephone (205) 871-8632

Coast Guard – 7001 Crestwood Boulevard, Suite 612 - Telephone (205) 592-8923 or call 1-800-438-8724

Marine Corps – 1580 Montgomery Hwy. - Telephone (205) 823-8450/9232/2091

Navy – 2766 John Hawkins Pkwy., Ste 106 - Telephone (205) 985-2055