Hey all, I'm a junior in high school, and I'm strongly considering joining one of the US military branches after graduation. What kind of time commitment am I looking at if I enlist?
The length of your time commitment to the military after high school can vary significantly depending on the branch you join and the type of service you are interested in.
Typically, initial enlistment contracts for active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force often require a commitment of 2-6 years, with an additional period in the Individual Ready Reserve (IRR).
If you're considering the reserves or National Guard, your service commitment can be less. For the Army and Air National Guard, for example, you could commit to one weekend a month and two weeks a year for three, six, or eight years.
It's important to note that the time commitment also includes the time spent in basic training and advanced training. The length of these trainings varies by branch. For instance, Army Basic Combat Training is about 10 weeks, while U.S. Air Force basic training is 7.5 weeks long, both followed by further specialized training that varies in length.
Do take note that these commitments may change due to individual contracts, different positions, and special training opportunities. So, it's highly recommended to contact a recruiter and discuss your specific situation and interests to get the most accurate information. But hopefully, this initial overview is helpful!
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