Want a job?

Want a job? Want an education? Want a career? Want exceptional benefits and a potentially excellent retirement package? If you answered yes to any, many, or all of these questions, please read on.

Your U.S. Army and Marines especially, and the other services, reserves and National Guard as well, are looking for bright, healthy, young men and women to join their ranks. Please note up front that I am not making an urgent appeal because of any recruiting troubles. In fact, all of the active duty services and reserve elements are doing quite well.

In June, the latest available statistics, all of the active duty components – Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force – met or exceeded their monthly goals by recruiting over 20,300 young men and women. The reserve components – Army, Navy, Marine and Air Force Reserves, along with the Army and Air Force National Guard – recruited another nearly 12,000 members. While the Army Reserve recruiters fell short by a mere 1 percent, all other components met or exceeded their goals.

With only three months left in the fiscal year, all of the services and reserve components have met or exceeded their goals for the year 2008 to date. I find this very encouraging in a time of war and some 35 years into the all-volunteer force. It is also encouraging recognizing that only about 30 percent of the military recruiting age cohort actually meets the requirements to serve in our nation’s uniform. The limitations on eligibility result from not being able to meet the standards physically, educationally or morally due to drug use, prior convictions of more serious offenses, etc.

Over the next few years, the Army will grow by 65,000 men and women. The Marines Corps will see an increase of 27,000 in their active-duty strength. This means there are ample opportunities for the “bright, healthy, young men and women” to enter into their nation’s armed services.

To recognize the sacrifices concomitant with serving in the military, Congress passed and the president signed a new and generous G.I. Bill for those serving since 9/11. The details can be found on the Web, but let me highlight a sampling. A member who has served 36 cumulative months since 9/11 is eligible for 100 percent of his or her tuition at any state school, books and a living stipend monthly. Additionally, the member can use the benefits anytime up to 15 years, as well as pass unused benefits to a family member. There are too many specifics to detail here, but this is an exceptional benefit for our post-9/11 service men and women of whom we ask so much.

And of course, these benefits can also be used while pursuing part-time education programs while serving on active duty, continuing a satisfying career and moving into retirement at a relatively young age. On a personal note, I entered the Air Force with two years of college. I earned my Bachelor of Arts degree and my Master of Science degree, both from George Washington University, by attending evening and weekend classes while I was on active duty and using my less generous G.I. Bill of those days.

Clearly, the military is not for everyone. But for those, like myself, that could not afford to continue a civilian education, there are some marvelous opportunities for a job, an education, a career and a retirement package. And the opportunity to serve a higher cause.

Think about it!