The military (active duty) retirement system is widely acknowledged to be one of the best deals you can get anywhere. You effectively get a pension when you leave that is paid to you every year for the rest of your life, and you could be in receipt of it as early as 37 years of age if you retire from the service at that stage.The other hugely significant benefit is that the pension scheme is index linked, so it grows with the cost of living. If you have served in the Reserves, then the system is different and you should research the subject separately.

Over the past 20 years, there have been many changes to the military retirement pay system and the government is dedicated to reviewing the system all the time so that the military gets the best deal. Here are some of the most recent changes.

Payment Cap Now Lifted
There used to be a cap on the maximum percentage of the retired pay base up to 30 years, but this has now been lifted. So if you serve 32 years you will receive 80 percent and if you serve 42 years it will be 105 percent of the retired base pay.

• Cap Lift Exclusions: there are always exceptions, and if you have retired because of disability then the law still maintains a payment cap of 75 percent.
• If, in the case of the Army and Air Force, you have been cited for Extraordinary Heroism then there is a cap of 75 percent on the computation. This is a legacy rule from the before the regulatory changes and it simply has not been changed. This cap is offset though by an additional payment benefit only available to those cited for Extraordinary Heroism, such as the monthly benefits paid to Purple Heart recipients.

Determine your rate
If you entered the service prior to September 1980, then you are eligible for the Final Payment scheme (the last pay rate you held prior to retirement). If you entered service between September 8th and August 1986, your rate is determined through the High 36 system. And finally, if you entered service after August 1986, you can choose between the High 36 or the Career Status Bonus/REDUX programs. If you can’t or don’t choose, then you will automatically be placed on the High 36 retirement pay system.

Regardless of which military retirement pay system you fall under, the benefits offered for military retirement remain among the best available retirement systems, and is truly an award for your long years of service to the country.

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The original Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act (SSCRA) was signed in 1940 and was submitted for re-evaluation under the second Bush Administration. A new Act was signed on 19 December 2003 by President Bush and called the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). The legislation was designed to assist in easing the economic and legal burden that was placed on many servicemen and women who were called up to take part in active duty service in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Protection
The original SSCRA has in fact remained largely unchanged from its 1940 version, but much of the language has been clarified to make it easier to comprehend. The intention of the Act was to provide certain protections to servicemen and women, such as:

• Staying court hearings under certain circumstances.
• Reducing interest rates to 6% on pre-service loans and obligations.
• Requiring court action before a service member’s family can be evicted from their property for non-payment of rent, but only if the monthly rent is less than $1200.
• Allowing termination without penalty of a pre-service residential lease.
• Allowing service members to retain their state taxation status for their state of residence despite possible military relocation to other states.
• A new provision allowing the termination of automobile leases for use by the service members and their dependants. Pre-service automobile leases may be cancelled if service members are called to active duty for a period of 180 days or more.

There are many other provisions that can be found in detail by reviewing the full Act on the internet. The bottom line is that not much has changed. The purpose of the Act is to help and protect those who are called up to active duty by providing cost savings and legislative exemptions to assist and minimize the inconveniences that can be caused by an active duty call up. These assisting measures are not only available to full-time servicemen and women. They are also, to a certain degree, available to Reservists called up for active duty service.

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One thing you won’t get is lots of fresh air! Yes, that’s right; most of the Navy basic training takes place indoors. There are indoor marching drills, indoor shooting, indoor confidence courses, and more. This may seem a bit unusual, but actually makes a great deal of sense for the Navy. When you are in the Navy, most of the activities take place inside the ship or submarine, and this is the reasoning behind the high rate of indoor training programs.Somewhat surprising is that unlike other branches of the military, the Navy only has one training location in the country. It is on the western shores of Lake Michigan, at the Great Lakes Naval Training Centre, which is half way between Chicago and Milwaukee. You can learn more about the center and what takes place there by reading the free Military Pre-Enlistment Guide.

Shape Up
There is plenty you can do in advance of Boot Camp to get yourself in shape physically and mentally before your formal training begins. There is a lot of information available on the internet and the website previously mentioned, such as what the physical standards are and how the drill ceremonies work. One thing that will save you time is simply to memorize the rank structure before you get there.

If you still find you have time on your hands in advance of Boot Camp, then learn the core values of the Navy too. The course is very classroom intensive so you’ll have to get used to using your brain if it has been ‘resting’ for a while.

Follow the rules
Before you get to Boot Camp you will receive a list of things that you should bring and things you should not – this is military service they are talking about, so they don’t usually put things on lists if they are irrelevant. Follow the list. If there is an item that they say do not bring, then do not take it as the likelihood is that it will be taken away from you when you get there.

Surviving Boot Camp is all about doing as you are told, working hard, and keeping a low profile, so anything you can do to stay below the instructor’s radar is a good thing. Taking clothes, kits, and equipment that are not allowed will only draw negative attention to you before you begin the real training.

Swimming
As you would hope, being able to swim in the Navy is a good thing. If it all goes wrong, you will be surrounded by water! So if you are a weak swimmer, then try to get some practice before Boot Camp as you will be assessed when you arrive. If you are put in the ‘Kiddy Pool’ it is not great, but there are worse punishments in the world.

Remember, the organization is designed to train people to join the Navy, not to intimidate and fail them – it is all about developing people and helping them to learn and acquire the skills they will need to function successfully in the Navy. Whether indoors or not, Navy basic training will be hard work; but the rewards of successfully completing the program are undeniable.

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The Basic Combat Training Course (BCT)
The Basic Combat Training Course (BCT) is a nine week journey that aims to transform a civilian into a soldier. This is of course a dramatic journey, punctuated by extreme challenges and a great deal of information to take on board. You will be joining an organization with a lot of history and a very specific culture, so it will be an unforgettable time. You will be a little shell-shocked at the beginning but military life, the pace, the energy and the rewards, will quickly become normal. If you’re thinking about enlisting, read the Free Military Enlistment Guide before you visit a recruiter.

Nine Weeks are pain – but also reward
The nine week course covers an introductory week when you will be issued with clothing and equipment and then taught how to put it all together and wear it correctly. There will be lots of dormitory inspections and drill parades, intermixed with plenty of physical fitness training. This introductory week is sometimes called Reception Week.

The Phases
After Reception week the real training begins; you will already be used to early morning starts and long days. You will be amazed at just how much these trainers can squeeze into one day. Phase 1 is the Red Phase and teaches recruits about Nuclear Biological and Chemical defense, Landmine Defense and there is also some rappelling on the confidence tower, which is great fun. The Army’s Seven Core Values are also covered at this stage. There are regular fitness tests too, but that will be a part of military life forever, so it is no big deal.

Phase 2 or White Phase, covers marksmanship and more rappelling on the Warrior Tower this time, you will undertake a tactical foot march and undergo situational enemy awareness training simulations using some of the best training aides available. At this stage you will deploy into the field for the first time and take part in a tactical field exercise. Already you will be closely bonded with new found friends in your platoon and you will be working well as a team.

Phase 3, the Blue phase goes into more detail on weapons and includes use of hand grenades and night vision equipment. You will get your hands on the .50 caliber machine gun and various other automatic weapons. Spending more time on the ranges will hone your skills and you will also take part in a 10 and 15 km tactical march.

See the change in yourself
You will really have noticed a change in yourself by now, feeling fitter and taking pride in all that you do, you are getting close to graduation and starting your time serving you country at the sharp end. You will have made a commitment that will make you a better person and gain the respect of your fellow citizens. To gain more information about what to expect, read the Free Military Enlistment Guide, which provides a wealth of information for anyone interested in joining the military.

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Reassuringly, obtaining a security clearance is not an easy thing.  This can be a bit of a pain if you are keen to start a great new job, but it is dependent on obtaining clearance – but it should reassure you that not just anyone can get access to important establishments and information.

 The first rule is that you cannot apply for security clearance yourself; it has to be done for you by a prospective employer, such as the Armed Forces or the Government.  The process can be quite costly so it won’t be done unless it is necessary.

 Levels of clearance

In the US there are generally three levels of clearance: Confidential, Secret, and Top Secret.  Let’s take them in turn.

Confidential: information which if it fell into the wrong hands could, in some measure be damaging to national security.  This is the most basic level of clearance and is afforded to most military personnel.  It must be renewed every 15 years.

Secret: Any of this kind of information falling into the wrong hands could cause grave damage to the national security, and as such it is renewed every 10 years. 

Top secret:  This is pretty much everything else and as it could be considered to cause exceptionally grave damage to the national security if in the wrong hands, then this level is renewed every 5 years.

Obtaining the clearance

There are a lot of background checks that need to be carried out before the clearance is granted and in some cases this can take up to two years, so bear this in mind if it is a job application you have just filed. 

Applicants are first fingerprinted and then they undergo the Personnel Security Questionnaire (Sf-86).  The Defense Security Service then conducts detailed background checks.  There are then 13 factors that are assessed and evaluation by a security committee.  These factors include things like substance abuse, criminal record, mental disorders, and detailed family history.

Prepare yourself

The process can be fairly intrusive so don’t be surprised if some dark secrets are uncovered.  The investigators will talk to family and neighbors; they will interview you and ask some searching questions.  So be wary of quitting a job and hoping to take on another one that requires security clearance, as you may not be granted it.

There are various firms that offer guarantees of obtaining a security clearance for you; these are scams and you shouldn’t give these companies money.  Nobody has a guarantee of getting through the system.

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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 | 4 Comments »