Is the Military for You
Nothing is as difficult as choosing your career, unless of course, you are one of those who have their sight on distant horizons. There are so many career options to choose from and if you are considering the military, you should know all about it before you jump to a decision. There are many counseling websites that readily answer all your queries and soothe all the concerns you may have.
Lets learn about the military and what it offers you as a career. In the U.S army there are 4,100 different officer and entitled placements for both, full-time and part-time duties. Every year the U.S army hires 365,000 people in more than 4,100 categories.
Military jobs have been divided into two broad categories, enlisted and officer and each service demands different requirements. The details are:
Enlisted:
Qualification: High school diploma or equivalent.
Job category: Office work, transportation, mechanical, human services and important combat jobs.
Share in total military service: 85% of service personnel.
Pay grade: E-1 to E-9
Officers:
Qualification: College degree or more.
Job category: Managerial, professional and technical jobs.
Share in total military service: 15% of service personnel.
Pay grade: O-1 to O-9
To find out which job category is in line with your educational qualifications, skill-set and temperament, you could take an ASVAB test. The military recognizes ASVAB scores. Students in junior high school can take the test along with the senior high school students and the postsecondary students. The test scores can be used for enlisting with the military for two years after taking the test. Students can also retake the test at any time. ASVAB tests not only map the ability of student to do a particular job, it also opens up other career vistas at the same time, by mapping their scores with other career options as well.
If you want a life of discipline, with a mission, you need to identify a career that is rewarding as well as adventurous. Even if you feel that you are best suited for the army, look before you leap and evaluate all the aspects. Enlist only after you have considered the option well. Every year thousands of individuals take on the responsibility of protecting the land, maintaining peace and providing relief to those hit by calamities. The conditions as well as the environment of work can be very challenging.
Being selected for a non-combat job does not guarantee that the work atmosphere will always be safe. Any job category within the military requires self-discipline, intense physical training and work, education and a dedication to fight and excel in any environment. The benefits of the service are many, including training, educational support, honor, travel, good pay and not to forget the adventure involved. However, a military service means time away from family and friends. Weigh all the pros and cons of the service properly and if you still think that a life of discipline, mission and adventure is what you are looking for, you need to consider the army.
Military Helicopter Pilot Careers
A career flying military helicopters offers excitement, challenge, and adventure. Military helicopter missions include transporting troops and equipment, anti-submarine warfare, troop helicopter escort, anti-armor, reconnaissance, and inserting/extracting special operations personnel.
The US Army is the largest operator of helicopters within the US military. A career as an Army Aviator will give you access to some of the most advanced helicopters in the world. Army aviators fly AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, AH-1 Cobra attack helicopters, CH-47 Chinook heavy lift helicopters, UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopters, OH-47 Kiowa scout/light attack helicopters and the MH-6/AH-6 Loach special operations helicopters.
The US Navy uses helicopters for a wide variety of missions. Pilots who fly SH-60 Sea Hawks track submarines. MH-53 Sea Stallion pilots detect and clear mines in advance of ship traffic. Navy helicopter pilots who fly CH-46 Sea Knights specialize in transporting personnel and equipment.
The US Marine Corps uses the helicopter extensively. In fact the Marines invented and developed vertical envelopment warfare (using helicopters to rapidly move troops to key tactical and strategic positions). The AH-1Z Cobra is used to provide support to Marines on the ground. The CH-46 Sea Knight is used for tactical assaults and the CH-53E Super Sea Stallion is used for heavy lift. The Marines also fly a modernized version of the UH-1 Huey, a helicopter made famous during the Vietnam War, on utility and VIP missions.
The US Air force uses HH-60 Blackhawks for combat search and rescue and MH-53E Super Stallions for deep insertions and extractions of special operations troops.
Though not technically a member of the US armed forces, Coast Guard Aviators have a strong history of flying and fighting alongside the US military in times of conflict. The Coast Guard’s primary roles are homeland security, law enforcement and search and rescue. They fly three types of helicopters. The HH-65 Dauphin is a short-range rescue helicopter. The HH-60 Jay Hawk is a medium/long range rescue helicopter and the MH-68 Stingray is an armed interdiction aircraft.
Military helicopter pilots have very rewarding careers. They fly with and support some of the best people this nation has to offer. The road to a career as a military helicopter pilot isn’t easy but it’s certainly within reach of anyone who has the commitment and the desire to succeed.
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