Military Options
Types of Military Service
The U.S. Military consists of six active-duty Service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve components. Together, they offer a broad variety of ways to serve.
Active Duty (Full-Time)
Active-duty service members are full-time members of the Military, living on base or in military housing and immersed in military culture. After attending boot camp, they are typically stationed at a base either domestically or overseas for terms that typically last two to six years. During this time, they may also explore advanced training opportunities to further build hands-on and technical skills. If service members are deployed, the length of time away varies depending on a unit's specific mission.
As the oldest branch of the U.S. Military, the Army protects the security of the United States and its resources.
The Marine Corps is often first on the ground in combat situations.
The Air Force protects American interests at home and abroad with a focus on air power.
The Space Force defends U.S. interests on land, in the air, and from orbit with a range of advanced training and technology.
The Coast Guard is a maritime force offering military, law enforcement, humanitarian, regulatory and diplomatic capabilities.
Reserve (Part-Time Service)
The Reserve was created to provide and maintain trained units at home while active-duty service members are deployed. With the exception of the Space Force, each military branch has a Reserve component under its command, which is available for active-duty deployment in times of war or national emergency.
Reservists are part-time service members, allowing them time to pursue a civilian career or college education while simultaneously serving their country. Members of the Reserve attend boot camp and are required to participate in training drills one weekend a month as well as a two-week program each year. Reservists can be deployed to serve alongside active-duty service members for special missions.
The Army Reserve trains part time near home until needed, and members deploy alongside the Army.
Marine Corps reservists train domestically and deploy with the rest of the Corps.
The Navy Reserve trains close to home. They serve in the U.S. or abroad in support of the Navy’s mission.
The Air Force Reserve trains and serves on a part-time basis, performing flying and other specialized missions for the Air Force.
The Space Force
No Reserve Service
The Coast Guard Reserve typically trains and serves near home, offering the chance to contribute part time and make a difference.
National Guard (Part-Time Service)
The National Guard consists of the Army National Guard and the Air National Guard. Every U.S. state and territory, as well as the District of Columbia, fields their own separate Guard unit, which operates distinctly and separately from the others. Each National Guard group goes by its state name (for example, the New York National Guard) and reports to that state’s governor.
The Guard’s focus is on homeland security and humanitarian relief. In addition to training drills one weekend a month and two full weeks per year, National Guard units assist communities in their state during emergencies like storms, floods, fires and other natural disasters.
During times of conflict, the president can federalize the National Guard, and its service members can be deployed overseas. National Guard members deployed overseas may see combat, but are also assigned noncombat humanitarian tasks, such as building schools and hospitals, training local peacekeepers and other community-building projects.
Army National Guard members deploy with the Army on a part-time basis. Their service focus is on the state level, but they may also serve nationally.
Marine Corps
No National Guard Service
Navy
No National Guard Service
The Air National Guard trains part time to assist, first on the state level, but they may also serve nationally.
The Air Force
No National Guard Service
Coast Guard
No National Guard Service
Split-Training (Part-Time Service)
The Army, Army National Guard and Coast Guard offer a split training option. High school students (and college and vocational students in the case of the Coast Guard) may train for two summers and serve one weekend a month during the school year. They receive pay for their weekend service and, after training is complete, begin Reserve duty.
More Information
For more information visit Today's Military: https://www.todaysmilitary.com