Advantages and Disadvantages of Joining the Armed Forces Essay Example

the job of the soldier not only that of a fighter, but a global hunter, being sent around the globe to weed out these potential threats which our government delineates and orders the attack upon.While the participation in peacekeeping, disaster, and humanitarian aid is truly noble, such situations often turn to occupations, which at times are unjust and precipitate an environment in no way conducive to a quality life for the soldiers. Thus, the modern role attributed to today’s soldier is growing increasingly more dangerous. The global war on terror has opened a war on a number of fronts with more pending.

The armed forces already being stretched nearly to capacity, those who join have a high potential of being ushered off into armed combat in a foreign place, most likely with oil.Being away from the home on deployment in such a locale inadvertently places a strain upon the families of the soldiers. Contrary to expectation, the deployment of male soldiers, according to a study done on Gulf War veterans, enough time having already passed to consider this, the deployment of male soldiers had no effect upon marital dissolution; however it did lead to their wives working less, expectedly due to the increased level of stress. However, the deployment of female soldiers, while not affecting the labor levels of husbands left behind, the marital dissolution rate increases.

Angrist, Johnson 41) The increased strain upon the family of the soldier is further exacerbated on both fronts by the increased danger of the modern battlefield and existence and future odds of war considering the modern environment. This likeliness of trigger-time in the modern military to some may

be a deterrent, as for most an occupation and livelihood is desired in the military and not a flag for their family and posthumous medal. However to others the capacity and opportunity to serve their country, ostensibly in the advancement of freedom and the democratic capitalistic way, is an honor.Alongside this honor do come some perks, particularly in the financial aspect, as given the shortage of personnel, the armed forces find themselves having to make the offer attractive. The best way to draw someone’s eye in the modern world is with shine, and the armed forces of the US are not opposed to offering significant financial benefits to those who are willing to join. The Advantages of Joining the Armed Forces The following information, derived from the Army’s official website, provides a detailed picture as to what the average soldier makes, financially, in the odern environment.

The profile of the average soldier is an age of 22 years, with time served averaging out at four years served. During this time they make an average income of $1,978. 50 each month, or $23,742 each year. Considering that the average educational status of the common soldier is a high-school degree, this income is quite good, especially considering that the hourly rate breaks down to around $12. 35 an hour, which is not so bad as compared to the other employment opportunities available to high-school graduates.Additionally there are significant sign on bonuses involved in joining the military.

The Montgomery GI bill is an option offered to soldiers who have served active time, which allots them thirty-six months in an educational program of their choice, ranging from flight-school, college,

to a trade apprenticeship. Full time soldiers received over $1,000 each month to pay for school, which decreases incrementally as active employment decreasing, for example for half-time soldiers the monthly allotment is $500.Considering that many state and community colleges may only cost that amount per semester, the soldier is able to substantially increase their income and available cash by enrolling in classes and accepting the monies from the Montgomery GI bill. Soldier enlisted in the reserves also benefit from the program, with their monthly allotment ranging from $110 to around $900 depending upon time served alongside rate of employment.

Survivors and dependents of soldiers are also covered under the bill, receiving $881 per month if their spouse or parent is employed full-time, decreasing incrementally from there.Considering this vast opportunity for a higher education offered to not only the soldier, but also their families, the armed forces may be a very attractive solution to the high costs of an education. To further augment the benefits package, full medical and health insurance is provided, alongside life, and there is a highly lucrative bonus offer currently in place. Should one join the armed forces, there is a $20,000 cash sign on bonus, alongside a $20,000 bonus for educational allotment. This is a substantial sum of money, in some cases capable of changing lives, and thus is of an aspect of great consideration.Money is after all the prime motivator in a capitalistic society, and so offering such high sums will attract a high number of applicants, willing to ignore the potentials of future danger for the present reward of considerable cash.

Conclusion Joining the armed forces in the modern

environment poses both benefits and risks. This choice is present within nearly any venture in life; however the risk is one of life and limb, and thereby of a higher degree of significance. As mentioned above, the average soldier makes about $24,000 per year, with a sign-on bonus of $20,000 and an educational allotment of $20,000.Even with these benefits, other individuals who risk their lives on the job, such as police officers, who not fired upon my automatic weapons, bombed, or exposed to dangerous chemicals almost never, tend to make between $30,000 and $50,000 per year, with full benefits and higher education reimbursement.

Thus, for the risks involved, lacking patriotic motivation, there are higher means of compensation that pose less danger to the individual involved than the armed forces has to offer. Bibliography Dandeker, Christopher. New Times for the Military: Some Sociological Remarks on the Changing Role and Structure of the Armed Forces of the Advanced Societies. ” The British Journal of Sociology. 45.

4, (1994) pp. 637-654. Angrist, Joshua D. ; Johnson IV, John H. “Effects of Work-Related Absences on Families: Evidence from the Gulf War. ” Industrial and Labor Relations Review.

54. 1, (2000) pp. 41-58. “Profile of the Average Soldier. ” The Official Website of the US Army.

Retrieved on 28 November 2007, from: http://www. army. mil/ “The Montgomery GI Bill. ” The US Department of Veteran’s Affairs. Retrieved on 28 November 2007, from: http://www.

va. gov/