Kinda stressed out. I'm seriously considering joining the military after high school, which my family is supportive of. One thing that's really worrying me though, are there certain branches of the military that are generally more dangerous or high-risk than others?
While it's natural to have such concerns, the risks can greatly vary depending on a variety of factors, such as the specific role you are assigned to and where you are stationed. Indeed, all military roles involve some level of risk, but the nature of these risks varies substantially.
In terms of branches, no one branch is universally riskier than others, but each does have specific roles that may have a higher level of danger. For instance, you would probably face more immediate dangers in roles such as Infantry, Combat Engineers, or Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) specialists, which are found across multiple branches.
However, the Air Force and Navy, for example, involve less front-line combat roles compared to the Army or even Marine Corps - but there will always be exceptions. Combat roles regardless of the branch can have a higher element of risk. In the Navy and Coast Guard, serving aboard a ship or performing search and rescue operations can also pose risks.
On the other hand, remember that there are also many non-combat roles in the military in branches like the Air Force or Space Force, where you could work in areas like communications, intelligence, health care, or technology, among others. While these roles are not without their risks, they might not be as immediately dangerous as more combat-oriented roles.
The key point to remember is that your specific role and assignment can play a far larger role in dictating the dangers you might face, more so than the branch of the military in which you serve. Consulting with military recruiters from each branch and asking them about the hazards associated with various roles could be beneficial to help you decide the best path for you.
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