What are you going to do after high school? Many students answer “I don’t know,” because they are not sure. Many times these students are the ones who join the army after high school.

You may ask yourself, “Well, why the army?” The army has many positive traits, which include payments for schooling, housing, and even medical insurance. The army also deploys you into stations. In these stations, you’re in another state or country, giving you the opportunity to travel to some place new.

The army also comes with sacrifices. You must attend basic training, which many call boot camp. Lots of times you are away from home for more than 7 months, 2 ½ of which is boot camp. You must also attend job training, which means that you should have taken an exam (ASVAB). Your score on the exam is what makes you qualify for what jobs you can train for: choices are given depending on your score. The job you choose then becomes your MOS, and that’s what you will be doing in the Army.

After you have finished all of your training, you are given a time to go home, sometimes only about ten days; however that is only active duty. Reservists get to stay home and do their army jobs and go to school at the same time. Reservists are also soldiers, but they do not get stationed right away, unless a war is occurring and it is necessary. They must still commit to the job and basic training, though.

The army is a choice for many young men and women. It has many opportunities that you might never see possible without it. Educate yourself on the army if that is a possibility, for you. Many recruiters come to Colton High on certain occasions. Feel free to ask them questions and they would gladly help you get on the right track.