Military Careers Articles

Cheat Sheet / Updated 04-25-2022

Before you head off to basic training, you should be familiar with a few basic items, such as military ranks, chain of command, and military time. You also want to make sure that you know the rules of being sentry.

Cheat Sheet / Updated 03-27-2016

If your family is embarking on a military career, your life could be unpredictable, stressful, and ever-changing. You'll want to keep your military family happy, ease the stress of making frequent moves, and connect with other military families. To further minimize your stress, learn to manage your monthly finances and the time away from your deployed spouse.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

When you’re sentry in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps, it’s important to take your responsibility seriously. Follow these 11 rules, no matter which military branch you’re in, and you’ll never go wrong! Take charge of this post and all government property in view. Walk my post in a military manner, keeping always on the alert, and observing everything that takes place within sight or hearing. Report all violations of orders I am instructed to enforce. Repeat all calls from posts more distant from the guard house than my own. Quit my post only when properly relieved. Receive, obey and pass on to the sentry who relieves me, all orders from the Commanding Officer, Command Duty Officer, Officer of the Deck, and Officers and Petty Officers of the Watch only. Talk to no one except in the line of duty. Give the alarm in case of fire or disorder. Call the Officer of the Deck in any case not covered by instructions. Salute all officers and all colors and standards not cased. Be especially watchful at night, and, during the time for challenging, to challenge all persons on or near my post and to allow no one to pass without proper authority.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Different branches have different military ranks. Here’s a list to help you prepare, whether you’re heading off to basic training for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Coast Guard, or Marine Corps. Enlisted: Army: E-1 Private, E-2 Private, E-3 Private First Class, E-4 Corporal/Specialist, E-5 Sergeant, E-6 Staff Sergeant, E-7 Sergeant First Class, E-8 Master Sergeant/First Sergeant, E-9 Sergeant Major Air Force: E-1 Airman Basic, E-2 Airman, E-3 Airman First Class, E-4 Senior Airman, E-5 Staff Sergeant, E-6 Technical Sergeant, E-7 Master Sergeant, E-8 Senior Master Sergeant E-9 Chief Master Sergeant (Note: Air Force First Sergeants can be in the pay grades of E-7, E-8, or E-9) Navy/Coast Guard: E-1 Seaman Recruit, E-2 Seaman Apprentice, E-3 Seaman, E-4 Petty Officer Third Class, E-5 Petty Officer Second Class, E-6 Petty Officer First Class, E-7 Chief Petty Officer, E-8 Senior Chief Petty Officer, E-9 Master Chief Petty Officer Marine Corps: E-1 Private, E-2 Private First Class, E-3 Lance Corporal, E-4 Corporal, E-5 Sergeant, E-6 Staff Sergeant, E-7 Gunnery Sergeant, E-8 Master Sergeant/First Sergeant, E-9 Master Gunnery Sergeant/Sergeant Major Warrant Officers (all branches except the Air Force): W-1 Warrant Officer, W-2 Chief Warrant Officer Two, W-3 Chief Warrant Officer Three, W-4 Chief Warrant Officer Four, W-5 Master Chief Warrant Officer Five Commissioned Officers: Army/Air Force/Marine Corps: O-1 Second Lieutenant, O-2 First Lieutenant, O-3 Captain, O-4 Major, O-5 Lieutenant Colonel, O-6 Colonel, O-7 Brigadier General, O-8 Major General, O-9 Lieutenant General, O-10 General Navy/Coast Guard: O-1 Ensign, O-2 Lieutenant (Junior Grade), O-3 Lieutenant, O-4 Lieutenant Commander, O-5 Commander, O-6 Captain, O-7 Rear Admiral (lower half), O-8 Rear Admiral (Upper half), O-9 Vice Admiral, O-10 Admiral

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

The military is all about being on time. Of course, when you arrive at basic training, you need to learn to tell time in a whole new way — the military way! Master this list, and you’ll have no reason to ever be late! Time Military Time Equivalent Midnight (12 a.m.) 0000 hrs 1 a.m. 0100 hrs 2 a.m. 0200 hrs 3 a.m. 0300 hrs 4 a.m. 0400 hrs 5 a.m. 0500 hrs 6 a.m. 0600 hrs 7 a.m. 0700 hrs 8 a.m. 0800 hrs 9 a.m. 0900 hrs 10 a.m. 1000 hrs 11 a.m. 1100 hrs 12 p.m. 1200 hrs 1 p.m. 1300 hrs 2 p.m. 1400 hrs 3 p.m. 1500 hrs 4 p.m. 1600 hrs 5 p.m. 1700 hrs 6 p.m. 1800 hrs 7 p.m. 1900 hrs 8 p.m. 2000 hrs 9 p.m. 2100 hrs 10 p.m. 2200 hrs 11 p.m. 2300 hrs

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

In the military, you need to know who is in charge — in essence, the military chain of command. You should always go directly to your superior (and not your superior’s superior!). This handy guide lets you know who reports to whom. Branch Chain of Command Army Recruit, Drill Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Company Commander, Battalion Commander, Brigade Commander, Division Commander, Corps Commander, Army Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Army, Secretary of Defense, Commander-in-Chief (President) Air Force Recruit, Training Instructor, Flight Chief, Squadron Commander, Group Commander, Wing Commander, AETC Commander, Air Force Chief of Staff, Secretary of the Air Force, Secretary of Defense, Commander-in-Chief (President) Navy Recruit, Company Commander, Division Leading Chief Petty Officer, Division Officer, Military Training Assistant, Military Training Officer, Executive Officer, Commanding Officer, Chief of Naval Education and Training, Chief of Naval Operations, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, Commander-in-Chief (President) Marine Corps Recruit, Drill Instructor, Company Commander, Battalion Commander, Regimental Commander, Division Commander, Chief of Naval Education and Training, Commandant of the Marine Corps, Secretary of the Navy, Secretary of Defense, Commander-in-Chief (President) Coast Guard Recruit, Company Commander, Lead Company Commander, Section Commander, Battalion Commander, Battalion Officer, Regimental Officer, Training Officer, Executive Officer, Commanding Officer, Coast Guard Commandant, Secretary of Homeland Security, Commander-in-Chief (President)

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

You should review your finances any time your family starts on a new career path, and the military is no exception. Know how much money you really need to purchase essentials for your family — food, clothing, shelter, medical care, and insurance. Most of these required expenses are provided by, or supplemented by, the military. The following is a list of the types of expenses incurred by a typical military family. Shelter: Home mortgage or rent Utilities: electric, gas, water, sewer, trash pickup, and basic telephone service Protection: Life, disability, homeowners, renters, health, and auto insurance Healthcare/medical and dental care Prescription drugs Childcare Savings: minimum of 10 percent of gross income Food: Groceries: basic essentials only Clothing and clothing maintenance Basic hygiene: Personal: toothpaste, deodorant, haircuts Household: laundry detergent, toilet paper Transportation: Automobile loan or lease payment Auto maintenance Gasoline Other: tolls, parking, public transportation Legal requirements: Real estate and property taxes Child support Alimony Other debts: school loans, personal loans, credit cards, and so on You won’t find an expense category for dining-out, entertainment, subscriptions, health club memberships, summer camp, birthdays, charitable contributions, cable television, or mobile phones. These types of expenses, although very common and convenient, are discretionary expenses.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

When your spouse is deployed with the military and you can watch the news 24 hours a day, it’s easy to let your imagination run wild. Technology’s a great thing, but sometimes enough is enough and you need to unplug. You’re going to have to find ways to manage your separation anxiety or you’ll find yourself coming apart. Try these tips to unwind. Exercise regularly. Even if it’s just a walk with a friend around the block, build some exercise into your routine to let off some steam. Eat healthfully. It’s going to be tempting to not cook meals for one, but it’s worth making the effort instead of eating out all the time. Find the spouse of another deployed servicemember and share meals. Get your sleep. It’s important to recharge your batteries every night. Stay away from toxic people. You’ll recognize them — they’re the ones that generate drama. They will drain your lifeblood — and you do not have the time or energy for this. Do not empower them to take more of your attention than you’re willing to give. Have fun. It’s okay to have fun while your spouse is deployed or TDY. You don’t have to do everything together. If you have an opportunity to take advantage of excursions or a little trip with another spouse and their kids, do it. It’ll help pass the time and keep your mind occupied. Get involved. Don’t spend days alone in the house by yourself. Before too long, the days will string together and become weeks. Without knowing it, you might have cut yourself off from the outside world. If you’re not working outside the home, find volunteer opportunities that appeal to you or find other reasons to leave the house. Remember that your spouse has the best training possible and that he is good at his job. Have faith that he will be fine.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Military service is a demanding way of life for the entire family. To keep your military family together and happy, try to remember and apply the following pointers: Be flexible! Respect each other’s dreams and goals. Manage expectations. Develop family rituals. Maintain open lines of communication. Take advantage of all opportunities afforded to you by the military. Remember that you are just as important to the mission as your servicemember spouse.

Article / Updated 03-26-2016

Moving is always headache, but many military families have to get used to it. You can turn moving into an art form if you keep the following tips in mind when it’s time to pack up and head out. Pack the essentials you’ll need for your first few days in the house inside a large piece of furniture. It might be difficult to know which box has the linens for the beds and towels for the bathrooms, but if you pack them in a chest of drawers, you might actually find them when you need them. Keep your “important documents” file with you during your move. Carry a bit of home with you. Pack little family mementos in the car. It might be awhile until you’re settled again and those special pictures or touches will help make any hotel room or temporary apartment feel a little more like home. Utilize the lending closet at the family support center on your installation for small appliances and kitchenwares.