Military jobs and careers are rewards in themselves, because you’re part of a proud tradition of serving your country. But when you become a United States soldier, you also get several financial benefits.
1. Enlistment bonuses. Every branch of the military has these bonuses for people who enlist. Not everyone gets every bonus; it depends on your skills and experience and what you’re bringing to the military as some of the bonuses are very specialized. But often there are new recruit bonuses regardless of specialty.
2. Military jobs are some of the best paying jobs in those fields. And you’re paid with more than a salary, as you’re getting experience that can’t be earned in the civilian arena so if you transition to the public sector at some point you have an edge.
3. While the recession saw many people lose their pensions and 401k money, retirement from military jobs and military careers is a sure thing. This retirement plan isn’t dependent on the stock market or the mutual funds your pensioner has used to fund the accounts.
4. The health insurance and lifetime medical care veterans receive are worth hundreds of dollars in insurance each month from a private firm. This is also a guaranteed benefit.