Military Jobs Like Teaching

I'm considering a military career but am also passionate about teaching. Are there roles within the military that have a teaching-like component? I'd love to combine these interests if possible.

Absolutely! The military has plenty of opportunities for those who wish to fulfill a teaching or training role, and this can be a great way to combine your interest in a military career with your passion for teaching.

The U.S. military branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard, all have various training and instruction roles. These range from basic training instructors who help new recruits to understand military protocols and expectations, to more specialized roles such as language instructors, physical fitness trainers, technical training instructors, and leadership course instructors.

An interesting pathway might be becoming a military officer. Officers often play leadership and mentorship roles, teaching and guiding those who serve under them. On a more formal level, officers are often selected to serve as educators at military institutions like West Point, the Naval Academy, or the Air Force Academy.

In addition, each branch of the military has its own professional military education (PME) system. As part of their career progression, every service member will go through multiple levels of PME, and each of these courses requires instructors.

Another avenue could be the JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps) or ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps) programs. These programs are present in many high schools and colleges, respectively, and they require instructors to teach and mentor students about leadership, citizenship, personal growth, and physical fitness.

Obligations and requirements will vary between roles and branches, so it's a good idea to research your options thoroughly. Consider reaching out to a recruiter or a military advisor to discuss the avenues you're interested in and see which roles might be a good fit for your interests and skills. Exploring these options could provide you with a fulfilling career that combines both your military and educational passions.