Hi all. I've always wanted to join the military and am leaning towards some specific paths. I was wondering, are there any careers within the military that are guaranteed once you've enlisted?
While the military does not exactly guarantee a specific job when you enlist, the process is a little more nuanced. When you enlist in any branch of the U.S. military, you sign a contract that includes a job code for your desired career, which is often based on how well you've done on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, the physical fitness requirements you've met, as well as the military's manpower needs.
A certain minimum score on the ASVAB test might qualify you for certain Military Occupational Specialties (MOS). Moreover, some jobs may require you to pass other tests or meet additional standards.
Keep in mind that you're not guaranteed to get the job you're initially aiming for and sometimes the military's needs might result in changing your task assignment post-enlistment. Also, some jobs have more openings than others. If the military needs more personnel in a particular job, that job might be easier to get into.
However, in general, when you enlist you'll have a pretty solid idea of the career path you're starting on, and the military does its best to place you in a job that suits your skills and interests, based on the needs of the service.
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