More High School Grads Joining the Military

Recent high school graduates are increasingly choosing to enlist in the military. It's becoming an attractive option for many young men and women faced with record unemployment and escalating college costs. When you consider the Army now provides up to $80,000 for college, it's not a bad way to go if you don't have rich parents or a scholarship. State and local budgets are being squeezed to the breaking point and forced to raise tuition and dorm fees at many community and state colleges. It's not going to get better soon.

If you're a high school grad whose tired of standing in lines with hundreds of others for a chance to flip burgers for a minimum wage, a guaranteed job with a steady paycheck and full medical/dental benefits can be pretty appealing.

Another advantage offered by most military jobs is the chance to learn some real job skills besides how to make French fries or package a Happy Meal. For one thing, you'll learn organization and leadership skills. And if you qualify, you could be trained in any of a wide range of sophisticated electronics careers that translate directly into a civilian career when you leave. (See U.S. Army Jobs – Enlisted Occupations.)

What if you didn't graduate from high school? No problem. The Army is getting into the business of granting diplomas at its own high school. A pilot program will begin qualifying high school dropouts to start a four-week curriculum at a new Army Preparatory School in Fort Jackson, S.C. to earn a general equivalency diploma.

On a personal note, my training as a radio operator in the military served me quite well as a communicator in civilian life. I also learned valuable leadership skills as an NCO.

For more information on Armed Services jobs, check out:
http://www.armedservicesjobsblog.com/

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.