For those entirely inexperience with anything military, the Chain of Command can be a confusing thing. It is made more confusing as it means more than one thing, depending on who you are. In its most simple sense the chain of command is simply the list of the rank structure in the Army, starting from the most junior rank up to the most senior General. This ‘ladder’ of hierarchy is referred to as the Chain of Command; let’s have a look in more detail.

The Rank Structure
The rank structure and the chain of command are closely linked in that junior soldiers are commanded by those more senior, so first of all you need to know the order. The ranks are split into soldiers and officers.

There are 12 enlisted (soldier) ranks and they are: Private, Private First Class, Specialist, Corporal, Sergeant, Staff Sergeant, Sergeant First Class, Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, and Sergeant Major of the Army. All of these ranks are based on a stripe system.

For the officer ranks there are 11 positions as follows: Second Lieutenant, First Lieutenant, Captain, Major, Lieutenant Colonel, Colonel, Brigadier General, Major General, Lieutenant General, and General. There is also a General of the Army rank, but it can only be held by one general at a time.

The Chain of Command
The system seems a little complicated you are not in someone’s chain of command just because they are more senior than you. It is a little like any company, if you think of ‘line management’. Although all Majors for example can give orders to Sergeants, not all Sergeants are in the chain of command of that major.

In a unit, everyone is under the chain of command of the commanding officer of the unit, which is the simplest understanding of the system. And so, once you go on to understand a little more about the different units, this will become clearer.

If it all seems a little confusing to start with, the system is not easy to understand on paper and it often takes a bit of time to really understand such a system, even when you are working in the military.

Posted in Military Rank & Insignia | 1 Comment »

There has been much history made of the US Marines and in fact being a member of ‘The Corps’ is a part of US heritage, a rite of passage for ‘real men’ at least so the films would make us believe.  Becoming a member of the illustrious and globally respected group of soldiers is not impossible as is aptly illustrated by the fact that literally hundreds of thousands of Americans have entered into their hallowed books.  However, nothing with so great a reputation comes easy and as long as you are prepared for some hard work, then you too could become a Marine. If you’re thinking about enlisting, read the Free Military Enlistment Guide before you visit a recruiter.

The Haircut

It is the very first thing that happens when you get to Basic Training and it is, for many, what distinguishes Marines from others, the savage haircut.  Look on the bright side, it is free and all those around you will have the same.

The Training

There are two Recruit Training Depots, one at Parris Island, South Carolina and the other at San Diego, California.  Which one you go to depends largely on where you enlist and the split happens at the Mississippi.  All women go to Parris Island.

The training is pretty much exactly the same at both places, although if you go to California you will always be referred to as a “Hollywood Marine”.  Parris Island is the smaller of the two, chucking out just over 17,000 new Marines each year.  On a daily basis there are about 3,500 Marines training there, including 600 women.  San Diego is bigger graduating 21,000 Marines each year.       

How Long is It?

Undoubtedly the training is harder than the basic training of the other services, and indeed it is longer.  The sheer amount of information that Marines are expected to take on board is quite amazing, and they have only 12 weeks to take it all in, compared to 9 weeks for normal Basic Military Training in for example the Army. The Free Military Enlistment Guide provides more information on what to expect and the differences in training curriculums for each of the military branches.

The Physical Side of Life

Don’t be confused with the myths: US Marines are not superhuman, yes they are fitter than the average American but they are not superhuman.  You can do a lot to help yourself on the course by getting into shape before you arrive.  You should be able to run 3 miles in well under 28 minutes and do a minimum of 3 pull ups and 40 sit ups in 2 minutes.  If you fail any of these standards then you will land in PCP – Physical Conditioning Platoon – which is not a good place to be.

 At the end of the day, your experience of US Marine Corps Training will largely depend on your state of mind – you have made the choice to enlist, so be positive and enjoy it as much as possible.

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The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) exam is required for all individuals seeking to enlist in the United States military. The military uses ASVAB scores to determine an individual’s qualification for enlistment and identify military careers appropriate for the individual’s talents and skills. Before taking the exam, you may wish to review the free ASVAB study guide and take free practice tests.

Exam Structure

The exam itself is a multiple choice exam with several sections. It’s very similar in format and content to the SAT, ACT and other standardized exams. There are nine sections on the exam:

• Arithmetic Reasoning (AR)
• Mathematics Knowledge (MK)
• Word Knowledge (WK)
• Paragraph Comprehension (PC)
• Assembling Objects (AO)
• Auto & Shop (AS)
• Electronics Information (EI)
• General Science (GS)
• Mechanical Comprehension (MC)

Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT)

The military only uses four sections of the ASVAB to determine an applicant’s eligibility for enlistment. They calculate a subscore, known as the AFQT score, by combining the AR, MK, PC and WK scores to evaluate a recruit’s English and mathematics skills.

The military services each have different minimum requirements for the AFQT. Current minimums are:

• Air Force: 36
• Army: 31
• Navy: 35
• Marines: 32
• Coast Guard: 36

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Are you thinking about enlisting in the United States Navy? Before you visit a military recruiter, you may wish to verify that you meet the basic enlistment requirements to avoid a disappointing outcome.


Before you enlist, you should read the Know Before You Go Guide to Enlistment from Military.com



Here’s an overview of the current requirements:

• Age requirement. Currently, the Navy will allow you to enlist in the active duty force if you are between the ages of 17-34. If you are 17, you must have written parental consent. If you have prior military service, you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


• Exam requirement. You must take and pass the ASVAB Armed Forces Qualifying Test. Each service has different standards for passing the exam.
• Medical Eligibility. You must be able to pass a military physical and be medically qualified for worldwide service. You also must meet Navy height and weight standards.


• Drug History. You will be asked to answer the following questions in writing before you enlist:
  
  
  
  • Have you ever used or experimented with marijuana?
  
  
  • Have you ever experimented with, used or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?
  
  
  • Have you ever been a supplier or distributor of or a trafficker in marijuana, or other illegal drugs or narcotics?
  
  
  • Have you ever been treated or undergone rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse?
  
  
  • Have you consumed hemp seed oil or any products containing hemp seed oil in the last 45 days?
  
  
  
  Marijuana use alone is not necessarily disqualifying, depending upon the number of uses. You will be required to take a drug test before enlisting.


• Moral History. Convictions for any of the following offenses will make you ineligible for military service:
  
  
  
  • Aggravated assault
  
  
  • Bribery
  
  
  • Burglary
  
  
  • Carnal knowledge of, or indecent acts with, a child under 16
  
  
  • Draft evasion
  
  
  • Extortion
  
  
  • Kidnapping, abduction
  
  
  • Manslaughter or Murder
  
  
  • Perjury
  
  
  • Rape
  
  
  • Robbery
  
  
  
  Exceptions may be made in some cases where the crime was not committed as an adult. Convictions for other crimes require a waiver.


• Education. Generally speaking, you must be a high school graduate to enlist in the Navy. They do accept a small number of individuals with a GED or equivalent. Those individuals must have high scores on the ASVAB AFQT.


• Dependents. You may not have more than two dependents (including your spouse) if you are married. Single parents are not eligible for enlistment. If you are married to a military member and have children, you are only eligible to enlist if you obtain a special waiver.


• Financial Qualifications. If you have any dependents, are 23 years of age or older, or have a bad credit history, you must successfully complete a financial qualifications check. Basically, the military looks at your debts and financial responsibilities and compares it to your future military income. If you won’t be able to meet your obligations on a military salary, you’re ineligible to enlist.


• Residency. You must be a permanent resident of the United States to enlist in the Navy. You’ll be asked to prove this by providing either a green card or a permanent resident visa and proof that you’ve established a permanent home in the country. If you’re hoping to become a military officer, you must be a U.S. citizen.

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Are you thinking about enlisting in the United States Marine Corps? Before you visit a military recruiter, you may wish to verify that you meet the basic enlistment requirements to avoid a disappointing outcome.


Before you enlist, you should read the Know Before You Go Guide to Enlistment from Military.com



Here’s an overview of the current requirements:

• Age requirement. Currently, the Marines will allow you to enlist in the active duty force if you are between the ages of 17-28. If you are 17, you must have written parental consent. IIf you have prior military service, you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


• Exam requirement. You must take and pass the ASVAB Armed Forces Qualifying Test. Each service has different standards for passing the exam.
• Medical Eligibility. You must be able to pass a military physical and be medically qualified for worldwide service. You also must meet height and weight standards.


• Drug History. You will be asked to answer the following questions in writing before you enlist:
  
  
  
  • Have you ever used or experimented with marijuana?
  
  
  • Have you ever experimented with, used or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?
  
  
  • Have you ever been a supplier or distributor of or a trafficker in marijuana, or other illegal drugs or narcotics?
  
  
  • Have you ever been treated or undergone rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse?
  
  
  • Have you consumed hemp seed oil or any products containing hemp seed oil in the last 45 days?
  
  
  
  Marijuana use alone is not necessarily disqualifying, depending upon the number of uses. You will be required to take a drug test before enlisting.


• Moral History. Convictions for any of the following offenses will make you ineligible for military service:
  
  
  
  • Aggravated assault
  
  
  • Bribery
  
  
  • Burglary
  
  
  • Carnal knowledge of, or indecent acts with, a child under 16
  
  
  • Draft evasion
  
  
  • Extortion
  
  
  • Kidnapping, abduction
  
  
  • Manslaughter or Murder
  
  
  • Perjury
  
  
  • Rape
  
  
  • Robbery
  
  
  
  Exceptions may be made in some cases where the crime was not committed as an adult. Convictions for other crimes require a waiver.


• Education. Generally speaking, you must be a high school graduate to enlist in the Marine Corps. They do accept an extremely small numberindividuals with a GED or equivalent. Those individuals must have high scores on the ASVAB AFQT.


• Dependents. You may not have more than two children if you are married. Single parents are not eligible for enlistment. If you are married to a military member and have children, you are only eligible to enlist if you obtain a special waiver.


• Financial Qualifications. If you have any dependents, are 23 years of age or older, or have a bad credit history, you must successfully complete a financial qualifications check. Basically, the military looks at your debts and financial responsibilities and compares it to your future military income. If you won’t be able to meet your obligations on a military salary, you’re ineligible to enlist.


• Residency. You must be a permanent resident of the United States to enlist in the Marines. You’ll be asked to prove this by providing either a green card or a permanent resident visa and proof that you’ve established a permanent home in the country. If you’re hoping to become a military officer, you must be a U.S. citizen.

Posted in Enlistment, Military Ceremonies | 2 Comments »

Are you thinking about enlisting in the United States Army? Before you visit a military recruiter, you may wish to verify that you meet the basic enlistment requirements to avoid a disappointing outcome.


Before you enlist, you should read the Know Before You Go Guide to Enlistment from Military.com



Here’s an overview of the current requirements:

• Age requirement. Currently, the Army will allow you to enlist in the active duty force if you are between the ages of 17-34. If you are 17, you must have written parental consent. If you hope to enlist in the Army Reserve or National Guard, you may be up to 34 years old. If you have prior military service, you may be eligible for a waiver of this requirement.


• Exam requirement. You must take and pass the ASVAB Armed Forces Qualifying Test. Each service has different standards for passing the exam.
• Medical Eligibility. You must be able to pass a military physical and be medically qualified for worldwide service. You also must meet Army height and weight standards.


• Drug History. You will be asked to answer the following questions in writing before you enlist:
  
  
  
  • Have you ever used or experimented with marijuana?
  
  
  • Have you ever experimented with, used or possessed any illegal drug or narcotic?
  
  
  • Have you ever been a supplier or distributor of or a trafficker in marijuana, or other illegal drugs or narcotics?
  
  
  • Have you ever been treated or undergone rehabilitation for drug or alcohol abuse?
  
  
  • Have you consumed hemp seed oil or any products containing hemp seed oil in the last 45 days?
  
  
  
  Marijuana use alone is not necessarily disqualifying, depending upon the number of uses. You will be required to take a drug test before enlisting.


• Moral History. Convictions for any of the following offenses will make you ineligible for military service:
  
  
  
  • Aggravated assault
  
  
  • Bribery
  
  
  • Burglary
  
  
  • Carnal knowledge of, or indecent acts with, a child under 16
  
  
  • Draft evasion
  
  
  • Extortion
  
  
  • Kidnapping, abduction
  
  
  • Manslaughter or Murder
  
  
  • Perjury
  
  
  • Rape
  
  
  • Robbery
  
  
  
  Exceptions may be made in some cases where the crime was not committed as an adult. Convictions for other crimes require a waiver.


• Education. Generally speaking, you must be a high school graduate to enlist in the Army. They do accept some individuals with a GED or equivalent. Those individuals must have high scores on the ASVAB AFQT.


• Dependents. You may not have more than two children if you are married. Single parents are not eligible for enlistment. If you are married to a military member and have children, you are only eligible to enlist if you obtain a special waiver.


• Financial Qualifications. If you have any dependents, are 23 years of age or older, or have a bad credit history, you must successfully complete a financial qualifications check. Basically, the military looks at your debts and financial responsibilities and compares it to your future military income. If you won’t be able to meet your obligations on a military salary, you’re ineligible to enlist.


• Residency. You must be a permanent resident of the United States to enlist in the Army. You’ll be asked to prove this by providing either a green card or a permanent resident visa and proof that you’ve established a permanent home in the country. If you’re hoping to become a military officer, you must be a U.S. citizen.

Posted in Enlistment | No Comments »