Military Workers, Officers

A first step in exploring a military career is to determine which branch suits you best: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or U.S. Coast Guard. Talk to family members and friends to see if they have served or know someone who has served in the military. Create a list of questions and schedule a time to speak with them about their experience. Find out as much as you can about what they appreciated and learned from most and what they found to be most challenging. It's important to know all of the pros and cons because you will be signing a contract to serve for a number of years; you must be sure this is a commitment you can fulfill.

Other ways to explore include visiting the Web sites of the various military branches to learn more about the services they provide, the requirements to join, and the types of specialties that may interest you. Attend public events such as air shows, where you may have opportunities to speak with military officers and personnel about their work and what got them interested in joining the military. You may also want to speak with recruiters from different military branches to learn more about what they can offer you and what is required.