I’m always getting asked, what is it like to work in the U.S the military today? Since today is Veterans Day, and an occasion to honor all of those who have lost their lives whilst serving their country, we thought we’d find out what it’s like for those serving and building their careers in the armed forces today. It goes without saying, but working for the Army, Air Force, or Navy is different from most 9-5 jobs. Serving the U.S. military means undertaking extensive training, making long-term commitments, maintaining peak fitness levels, and likely being deployed around the world. Working for the U.S. armed forces is like nothing else.
If you’re thinking of joining up, then you’ve come to the right place. Our employer rating platform kununu has 3 million reviews of almost 900,000 different companies, which includes a number of reviews about life in the U.S. Army, Air Force, and Navy. So, let’s find out what employees have to say about life in the military.
The U.S. Army
The Army is the largest military branch in the United States. Soldiers in the U.S. Army protect America’s freedoms at home and abroad, and have to be ready to defend the nation in times of need. Working in the Army can mean a lot of different things, as there are lots of different branches and groups. There are soldiers on active duty, who serve full-time, either on a base within the U.S. or abroad, all of whom receive a full salary along with health and retirement benefits. There are also part-time soldiers in the Army Reserve who have civilian jobs during the week and train and report for duty just one weekend a month and two weeks a year. There are enlisted soldiers who are responsible for carrying out missions and tasks and officers who are responsible for managing the enlisted soldiers.
Regardless of whether you’re an army applicant, a first-time soldier or a long-standing officer, it’s always good to know what people have to say about working for the largest military branch in the U.S. So, we’d like to share some of the reviews left by former soldiers on our site.
“It’s a hard job but there are good benefits,” says one former soldier but “the army is a great career field look into it if you are looking for something out of the norm.” Many former soldiers also talk about it being “the best experience of my life” and the fact that they work very hard but are well-respected and “get a decent salary with great benefits.” Some of the benefits on offer are: flexible working hours, onsite daycare facilities that are reimbursed, paid parental leave, and health and life insurance. There are also “multiple team-building events to increase team cohesion” and there is a lot of “opportunity for training and career growth.”
The U.S. Air Force
The United States Air Force is the aerial and space warfare branch of the U.S. armed forces. It was initially a part of the U.S. Army but was made into a separate division in September 1947. As of November 2018 it had 312 operational squadrons. There are a number of different jobs within the Air Force ranging from nurses to weather officers, to tactical aircraft maintenance and special tactics officers. So whether you’re an engineer, meteorologist, medical professional, or soldier, you could find a great new job within the Air Force that will take you outside of the normal 9-5 grind.
Before you send in your application, let us share some of the reviews former employees have written for us. To start off, one former employee says “everyone should give the Air Force a try at least once in your life if capable,” because the Air Force allows you to “learn new skills and meet new people who are on the same page as you.” It’s hard but good work, with long days but the benefits make it worth it. Some of the benefits on offer include flexible working hours, pet-friendly working environments, health and wellness programs, and military spouse or military member jobs available on military bases and even remote locations. All of this makes the Air Force a great place to work. So, what are you waiting for?
The American Navy defends the U.S. from threats from the sea. Just like the Air Force, the Navy also offers a number of different jobs, including careers in nuclear operations, nursing, aviation, cryptology, explosive ordnance disposal, I.T., and medicine. And since working for the Navy means working at sea, it means that working in any one of these roles involves traveling and seeing the world. So, if you’re looking for a new adventure, the Navy could be the place for you.
So, what do former employees have to say about making a career at sea? “My experience has been great. I love my job. I learn new things and I have moved up in my position very quickly and it’s awesome” says one, and a job in the navy is stable, with good pay and excellent benefits, according to another one. Some of the benefits on offer include life and healthcare insurance, flexible working hours, paid parental leave, and onsite childcare. If you’re looking for an adventurous career with great rewards look no further!
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