Is a military career right for you? Some people swear by this career path as it helps you develop loads of essential skills. Being in the military doesn’t mean you’re fighting wars – there are plenty of jobs behind the scenes you can end up doing. It’s also a very popular first job for many individuals as the entry requirements are pretty simple. You don’t need any educational qualifications or experience, which makes it an attractive prospect if you want a job that could lead to big things in the future.
With all of this in mind, what should you consider before embarking on a military career journey? This line of work throws up unique challenges that you must be prepared for, so here’s what you must think about before applying:
Is your physical fitness up to the challenge?
One of the only requirements for the military is to be at a certain fitness level. Depending on your age, you must complete some physical challenges that show you’re up to the next. You can find all the minimum requirements here, giving you an idea of what to expect. Take a look at the challenges and then try to complete them at home or in the gym. See how you fare – if you’re a long way off, consider if this career path is right for you. Can you get yourself to the point where you’re hitting the minimum requirements?
Will you pass a simple background check?
Background checks are carried out at various points during a military career. If you have major felonies or arrests against your name, it’s likely you will be barred from joining up. However, even minor misdemeanors can come back to bite you during a military career. According to a security clearance attorney, you can be denied security clearance for something as menial as a parking ticket. For your military career to go as smoothly as possible, it’s worth looking at your background and seeing if anything could cause problems. If you spot anything untoward, maybe talk to a lawyer or find ways to fix it. Being upfront when you apply for a job may also help to prevent these problems from damaging your career projection.
Are you good at taking orders?
It’s an obvious one, but how do you feel when someone is barking orders at you? Seriously, you need to be good at following instructions and doing things without questioning them. If you’re someone who likes to question the way things are, then a military career isn’t right for you. This type of work is all about discipline and knowing where you rank within the system. Play your cards right and you’ll be the person giving orders one day. But if you don’t respond well to people in power, this probably isn’t the best option to consider.
Overall, military careers have their pros and cons. These three things must be considered before you embark on your journey – but you should also weigh up the general advantages and disadvantages of a job in the military.
