Military Service as an Opportunity for Young Black Adults


Need a solid job or career? Or maybe even money for college or vocational skill training? I believe that many young black adults are missing a great opportunity. Nowadays, we have the opportunity to be what you want to be. Well, not quite be anything you want to be, but you may have the opportunity to at least try. I wish that the Army kept their slogan, “Be All You That Can Be”. Many young black adults could possibly learn from this slogan.

The military, college, and vocational skill training are the main ways to establish a career. Of course, there are other ways to make a living. If you are have a very good, convincing personality and appearance you may become a salesman, although you would probably need some training. If you are like one out of thousands, you may be a professional athlete or famous musician. Those are very, low odds to bet your life on.

Let’s look at the military. : the Air Force, Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard. We might even throw the Merchant Marine Service in the group although I do not think that the Merchant Marine Service has similar, but not quite the same benefits as the above military services. The military has good training, good educational benefits, free health care, and free dental care. Dental care is free only while you are serving in the service. Yes, I did not mention anything about pay. Well, it is not great pay but I believe it makes up somewhat for great pay by offering many entitlements, benefits, single soldier and family services.

The jobs or specialties in the military are varied; not every one is in the infantry. But everyone is expected to fight and kill when the time comes. Most servicemembers will not be involved in combat. There are many combat support jobs and combat service support jobs. Someone must operate the defense radars, equipment, and communications systems, but there are others who must maintain this equipment. Some servicemembers work as medics getting their on-the-job experience working with military doctors. Like many other highly technical and complicated jobs, they must get trained in their specialties which involve intense training lasting anywhere from a few months to almost a year. The training and experience many servicemembers receive in addition to their drive and loyalty are attributes that may private employers like. Not to mention that the federal government, not just the Department of Defense, gives extra points toward an honorably-discharged veteran when seeking federal employment. It is also easier to get the security clearance valued by the government and the private sector if you served in the military.


If one is a healthy adult with no serious felonies, and want to get respect of many while establishing a career with benefits, he or she should consider a career in the military. Yet, one does not have to make it a lifelong career; just sign up for one term (usually a minimum of four years). Your minimum term of duty (or enlistment) depends somewhat on the job specialty you have selected to be trained for. The longer the training, normally the more time the military service will want you to serve in your first enlistment.

So remember,

“Be All You Can Be”, Aim High”, “The Few, The Proud” and “It’s Not Just A Job, It’s An Adventure”.

I know they are old slogans.