Joining the military can be hugely rewarding, both personally and professionally. It allows you to travel to interesting places across the world, gain transferrable skills and keep fit and healthy.
If you’re considering joining the military and wondering if it’s the right path for you, take a look at a few potential pros and cons below.
Pros
Help others – joining the military allows you to serve and protect your nation. Your duty may involve you helping with a range of humanitarian causes across the world.
Travel around the world – as a member of the forces, you may travel to interesting destinations across the world. How much you go abroad will depend on the role you choose within the military.
Further education and skillset – during your career, you’ll have the opportunity to learn various transferrable skills and further your education. For instance, there are apprenticeships available in public services, engineering, IT, construction and more. You could also get a fully funded degree as an Officer, says the UK Army.
Financial support – as well as your salary, you get paid annual leave, free medical care, free dental care and free gym and sports facilities. You can also take advantage of cheaper accommodation and food in the Army.
Keep fit and healthy – keeping fit is essential in the military, so you’ll spend time working out and prioritising your health.
Cons
Time away from family – you may have to spend extended periods away from your loved ones and miss important milestones in family life. Some people may experience homesickness during a role in the military.
Dangerous situations – working in the army can be dangerous. You may face highly threatening situations during active service, which could cause physical and mental harm.Experienced military solicitors may be able to help if you’re injured during service due to someone else’s negligence.
Regimented routines – you might follow a regimented routine in the military, which may not suit everyone. For instance, some roles will give you little say over where you work or when your breaks are.
Lack of control – you may be posted anywhere around the world and need to travel for your job. This may be a benefit to some but could be seen as a disadvantage to those who are free-spirited.
Long working hours – if you’re a soldier that’s been deployed, you may be required to work long hours.
Joining the military can be hugely fulfilling, but it’s important to weigh up the advantages and potential disadvantages to see if it will be the right fit.
There are many different roles available in the army, from engineering and logistics to HR, finance, and IT, so it’s worth spending some time researching various career paths to see which would best suit you.