Potential Magazine College and Career Organizer 2020 | Page 59

myths
Military Myths
While there’s a wealth of information out there about
joining the military, there’s also a wealth of MISin-
formation. Cpl. Krista E. James debunks some of the
most common myths about military service.
MYTH:  Bootcamp is designed to make you fail.
False. Recruit training is designed to break down the old version of recruits
and mold them into well-disciplined members of the military. Recruits
learn the value of teamwork and leadership, straying from a, “What’s in it
for me?” mentality into a, “How can I help the team?” mentality.
MYTH: All military service members have to go
to war and fight.
False. While it is a Marine’s duty to serve their country, whether in a war-
zone or in a peaceful atmosphere, there are many Marines who have never
seen combat. I myself was on a non-combat deployment for six months
on the Black Sea Rotational Force in Mihail Kogalniceanu, Romania. Our
primary job was crisis contingency, not fighting a war.
military guide
MYTH:  What you learn in the military has no
applicability to life outside of the service.
False. There are many Military Occupational Specialties (MOS’
in the Marine Corps that translate into the civilian world. We have jobs in
fields such as administration, communications, electronics maintenance,
legal services, music, aircraft maintenance, and many others that can all
translate into the civilian world. Many people think we are just taking
young adults and sending them off to war, but we are actually preparing
them to be great leaders in the community.
MYTH: Going into the military forfeits your chance to
get a college education.
False. We have many resources that allow recipients to get a college edu-
cation and then serve their country as an officer. We also provide tuition
assistance. That means Marines can serve their country, receive benefits
like medical and dental, and still go to school free of charge. After their
time-in-service has ended, Marines can still utilize their GI Bill. This
bill provides up to 36 months of education benefits, to include a housing
allowance.
Making of an Officer
Wondering exactly what it takes to become an Army
Officer? CPT Nick Kolodziey, Assistant Professor of
Military Science at Jacksonville State University, has
the answers.
1.
W
 hat’s the difference between
enlisted and Officer?
 Enlisted Soldiers are the backbone of the Army. They have specific
specialties within an Army unit. Officers act as managers to those
Soldiers. They plan missions and provide guidance, direction, and
motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization.
2.
 hat is the process to become an
W
Officer?
There are four paths to becoming an Officer:
A. A
 rmy Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) is a program for
students to enroll in elective leadership and military courses at
colleges and universities in addition to the courses required for
their degree.
B. U
 .S. Military Academy at West Point is the oldest and most rigor-
ous military training academy in the United States.
C. O
 fficer Candidate School (OCS) is the main training ground for
prospective Army Officers.
D. D
 irect Commission provides leaders in certain professional fields
How long does it take to become an
3. `  Officer?
It depends on which path you choose. If you choose to become an
Officer through the ROTC or the U.S. Military Academy at West Point,
you will become an Officer after completing four years of college.
Through Officer Candidate School (OCS), you are commissioned as
an Army Second Lieutenant upon completion of the 12-week course,
but you still must have earned a four-year degree from an accredit-
ed university. If you join through direct commission, you enter the
Army as an officer, but your commission may still hinge upon other
requirements.
4.
 o I need a college degree to be-
D
come an Officer?
 es, the one basic requirement to becoming an Officer is that you must
Y
have a bachelor’s degree — not necessarily at the start of the process,
but by the time you are commissioned as an Officer.
5.
Can I be an Officer and still live
where I want?
Yes. If you are an Officer in the Army Reserve or National Guard, you
can commit to your country while you continue your civilian career
at home.
6.
What is the salary like?
Army Officer salaries are generally comparable with mid-to se-
nior-level corporate executives. When you factor in the savings from
Army housing, food allowance, tax advantages and health care, you
come out ahead.
such as law, medicine, and religion the opportunity to become an
Army Officer.
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