Why are people jizzing all over military jobs? The USA is awesome, serving it is even better. But I'm not sure why you would want a job like that. So you can be paid average and live away from your friends and family.
You have the right to insult me for saying this though, I do not know the standards for these jobs.
First of all, it's all about perspective. I don't see it as living far away from my friends and family, but as a chance to travel, see the world, and make some of the best friends I'll ever have.
About the jobs, I'm going into electronics. There aren't really low paying (civilian wise) jobs that are in electronics. One I'll likely get is rebuilding avionics systems. That job easily pays 100k a year in the civilian field. As another example, if I get Space Systems Operations, I'll get a top secret security clearance. Civilians have to pay quite a bit to hire someone with that level of clearance and since not many people have that, they usually spring for them regularly as they can be a real asset.
About the pay, I'll start out at $1,800 a month. That's three times what I make working full time at a retail job. You also have to consider they pay for housing, clothing, food, healthcare, dental, travel, etc. You also get literally every holiday off and 20 days of paid leave per year. To add to that, when you're stationed at your first duty station, you also get a cost of living allowance (COLA). Depending on where you live, this could be anywhere from 1-3K extra per month.
And to finish this, college benefits. Most people don't realize you start earning college credits as soon as you start basic training. You also end up with an Associate's in whatever job you learn to do. They also pay for any additional schooling you take while active. Since I've already had two years of college, I skipped two ranks and will start out at an E-3 pay grade (Airman First Class). That means if I can get my last two years out of the way while I'm active and keep my nose clean, I'll have a chance of applying for OCS (Officer Candidates School), moving up to 2nd Lieutenant, and doubling my pay.
Every service member is also eligible to get the post 9/11 G.I. Bill. You pay monthly for one year (I think it's $100 or less per month) and end up with a $90,000 college fund you can use while active, up to 15 years after your active duty stops, or pass down to your family.
And for a few more random benefits: Space Available travel. I can take leave whenever I want, and if there's space available on any Air Force plane going to any Air Force base in the world, I can hitch a ride for $3 (Price of the meal), and stay on that base for no more than $30 a night. Look up the locations of Air Force bases and tell me that's not a good deal. A military I.D. also gets you thousands of random discounts pretty much anywhere you go. Being a veteran also covers your funeral (This sounds strange, but it won't be dumped on your loved ones to arrange and pay for. That's a hard thing to go through).
Eh, I'll post more as I remember it.
