Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2019 was the best and yet most terrifying day of my life. I woke up in a hotel at 4 in the morning then proceeded to head out to the rest of my life. My day consisted of running around, signing documents, getting med checks, talking with different people over and over again. I waited around for hours until finally they called me back and I confirmed everything and got ready. A little while later two other guys and I went in a room for our swearing in and signing our contracts in front of our individual families. Now, I have only months till I leave for basic training for the U.S. Army.
I am going into the Army to become a joint fire support specialist airborne ranger, which is going to take a lot of hard work and commitment. Yet, there’s so much more I get out of joining the Army. Most people know that a benefit to joining the Army is free college tuition. However, what most people don’t know is, what else one can do when in the Army and what the Army can provide.
Education, money and opportunity are just some of the few things the Army provides. When in the Army, one can go to college full time, take classes online or not even go at all. I don’t plan on going to college, but it’s great to have the opportunity to go if I end up wanting to go in the future. Another set of benefits one receives are guaranteed paychecks, cash bonuses and 30 days of paid vacation. When I start I will be an E2, making the second lowest pay, but I also get a bonus for the job I selected. I also get the opportunity to travel the world, meet new people, see other cities, experience different cultures and try new things. One of the biggest reasons I wanted to join the Army was the opportunity to travel the world with no cost to me.
The Army also provides a type of education other than the ones people normally pursue. They teach you basic skills during basic training and how to specialize in something at the specialty schools. You learn trades and things you can take back to the civilian world. For example, one can learn to be a construction worker, a plumber, a doctor, a veterinarian and many other things. Respect, discipline, leadership and a sense of duty are also things you learn in the Army.
I am very confident in my decision to join the Army, and I’m happy with all that I will get from it, all it will teach me and all that I will accomplish. Now, all I have to do is wait till I ship out on June 15, 2020.