Which Branch Would You Join?

[sanantone]

For the record, these are the 7 Uniformed Services, not branches.  Great list!

One study one never reads is what % who join retire with that service.  The Marines would be dead last (hardest).  AF would be #1 of the DOD types.  Not sure where CG, NOAA, and USPH fall in order but higher.

Kids never think of retirement as an opportunity.  # flaw in our education system.  Long-term planning is not there.

They are branches of the uniformed services; they just aren't branches of the armed forces.

---

Aside from the money for school, I've never really understood why people enlist.    I never really knew anyone that did, so perhaps I just missed out on hearing about the other benefits.   It seemed like less freedom on the job front with some obvious major risk depending on what you get assigned to.     So, I went with international business.  Not saving any lives, but I've traveled the world.

I would be interested in understanding why it was appealing to people that enlisted.   I always thank those that have enlisted (and buy them a drink in the airport,) but never understand it personally, so would be interesting to know more.

Some just want to serve; some like the benefits. The uniformed services have benefits that are nearly impossible to find anywhere else: 20-year retirement, free training for civilian occupations, and the GI Bill and tuition assistance that are unmatched by most tuition reimbursement programs.

Most won't go to war. I think only a couple of Coast Guard members died in the last couple of wars. If the military ever needs to send large numbers of the Coast Guard to war, then they've likely gotten to the point of needing to draft.