Source: http://www.businessinsider.com
Benefits given by the military differ highly compared to benefits civilians receive from their job. Military.com is a reliable source because they give you real information one should know about joining the military. A large portion of the site is also run by veterans so they as well have great first hand knowledge about topics regarding the military. The government provides a great number of incentives to greatly influence on'es decision to join the military.
One of the major differences between the military life and civilian life is that there is always pressure being put on you. “On the other hand, the military lifestyle carries much more responsibility. There is always threat of heading to a combat zone, risking your life. You must be on time to work - there are no "getting stuck in traffic" excuses - or face punishment. You must consistently be well-groomed, live up to working and presentation standards, and talk to others according to specific rules. You usually do not have the option of saying "no" and just quitting when you feel like it.” While in the military your life is run on a specific routine and it is a lot more strict in terms of everyday life than as a civilian. It is important to remember that you signed a commitment and there is no walking away from it once you sign up. You are no longer a civilian, the government owns you and you do as they say.
Generally speaking, you receive a lot more benefits from the military than a civilian job. Pay is generally higher in civilian life, however in the military there is basic pay as well as special pay, also the military has tax advantages. Health care is a major benefit in the military. The Military offers several options including fully paid for health care. For a civilian it depends on the employer, often you pay your own or partial amounts. Housing is another big benefit in the service. Housing is provided by the military. If you live off base the military provides a basic allowance for housing with no fee. Another major one is travel. While in the military you have the opportunity to travel all around the world on deployments for free.
The military has its pros and cons, and this is just a small portion of comparing military life to civilian life. The determining factor in someone’s decision to join the military isn’t always a driving force inside of them to go and fight for their country. Some do it for the experience, or the ability to see the world. There are many reasons why one would join the military and it’s important to inform people on not only the pros, but the cons as well before signing up.
Future research question: What should people know before joining the Military?
