Many people wonder what it would be like to be in the military. Well I have done it and I can tell you a little bit about my experience. Here we go.
I enlisted in the Army National Guard as an Aviation Operations Specialist back in 2005 at the rank of Private First Class. I was responsible for making sure that all the flight records and clearances were filled out, filed, and submitted properly. I was also responsible for keeping track of every aircraft’s location. If a pilot needed more hours, it was my job to make it known. I enjoyed being stationed at an air field where I was constantly surrounded by helicopters and I enjoyed having unlimited access to the hangar but I will be the first to tell you that this is not the job for you if you don’t want to sit behind a desk all the time. You are basically nothing more than a “mole” for the FAA. Shortly after realizing how boring my job in the military could be, I got involved in recruiting. That allowed me to do more in the National Guard when I didn’t have drills. I enjoyed doing that because it was equal office and field time. One of the things I never would’ve gotten to do if I didn’t enlist was fly in a helicopter. I also got to appear in a local commercial for Florida State College at Jacksonville. I was asked by the producer and the director to arrive in uniform to convey the image of the school as being military friendly. You also have the ability to travel to places you never thought you would go. Needless to say, there are a bunch of opportunities that come to you in the military.
If this is something that interests you, here are a few things to expect. You have to wake up very early in the morning. You do a lot of exercising. You’ll be required to stay in places and do things that are out of your comfort zone. You’ll be required to use firearms. You will be required to leave home for various periods of time with or without any warning. If you have any health problems, they may prevent you from enlisting.
I hope this helps to give you an idea of what opportunities being in the military can offer. Thanks for reading.