U.S. Military

Researched by Andrew W.
2001-02


  • ABOUT THE AUTHOR 
    • DEDICATION 
    • WHY I CHOSE THIS TOPIC 
    • SELF-EVALUATION 
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The Army is a large group of people that are organized and trained to fight for our country’s safety.  They use guns, cannons, missiles, bombs and other weapons to take care of our country.  When somebody does something bad like blowing up the World Trade Center our Army fights back, to defend us.



What They Do 
The military is trained to fight and defend the U.S. from people like terrorists. The military works in organized groups like the Air Force, Army, Navy, and Coastal Guard. The military is there to keep the U.S. together as one. The military fights wars with other countries.  They have to protect the U.S. and make sure our country has peace.  We have one military but it is split up into divisions around the U.S.  The Army is trained almost throughout the year. 


Work Schedule
At the Yakima Training Center they have to wake up at 6:30 am and do an hour of exercise, and then they go out and practice.  Most of them work all the time, but at a training center they usually work 48 hours a week, every week.  If you are a combat soldier and you are at war you work all the time.


Where They Work
 The military works in different places, the Air Force works mostly on land and sometimes in the air, the Navy at sea, Army on land, and the Coast Guard within U.S. waters.  They have different spots around the U.S. where they are trained.


Different Types
There are some different types of paratroopers like some of them once they get on the ground they become combat soldiers.  Or another type are doctors, they drop into cities or towns and they heal wounded people.


Tools They Use
The army uses guns, bombs, cannons, missiles, airplanes, jets, tanks, humvees, and other sorts of weapons.


What Is Good About This Job
Some good things about being in the Army are that you get to meet new people and it is always a challenge. 


Not So Good Aspects
If you are a combat soldier you might have to go to war and that can be dangerous with all the weapons involved. If you are a paratrooper your parachutes might not function properly and when you hit the ground you could die, but usually you don’t do that because you have two parachutes just in case one didn’t function right.


Minimum Education 
To be in the Army you have to go through about 3-8 weeks of basic training. There are several different basic training centers around the U.S.  Enlisted personnel need at least a high school diploma, while officers need a bachelor’s or advanced degree.


Certification or licensing
There is no license or certificate required for being in the Army.


Personal Skills Needed
If you want to be a combat soldier you have to be very brave because they often have to go to war. If you are a paratrooper you have to jump out of an airplane or helicopter. 


Earnings Range
People who just join the military earn slightly over $11,000.  Increases are scheduled on a regular basis, beginning four months after enlistment.  In 1998, the base compensation for enlisted personnel at the end of the first four year tour of duty could reach to as much as $16,550 per year.


 Number of Jobs
They will always need an Army, both for defense and to protect the citizens around the world.   The number of active duty personnel is expected to remain constant through 2008. 


Different Jobs
There are lots of different military jobs like, being a paratrooper or being a combat soldier, officer, dentist and lots more.


History of Career 
The Army started in 1775, and it has grown with the country.  The first general was George Washington. 


Related Jobs
Some related jobs are being a police officer or being a military pilot. 
 
 
 
Who I Interviewed And What I Learned

I interviewed James Redick on January 3, 2002, at the Yakima Training Center.  I chose to interview James Reddick because Jimmy Wood’s mom said that he was really nice and she had his business card so I could contact him.  He was a good guy to interview because he was drafted into the Army in 1969 so he knew a lot about the Army.  He said that you get to meet a lot of new people over the years, you always learn new things, and it is always a challenge.  The most important people in the past are the regular soldiers.  The Military started in 1775 and has grown with the country.  The Siscorski helicopter gets a lot of use.  One of the most powerful guns is the 120 mm tank and it is also the loudest.  The most common aircraft that paratroopers jump out of are the C141 4-engine jet, C130 4-engine turbo prop, and the Chinook helicopter.  One of the major problems today are that the Army posts are old and need a lot of repair.
 


Bibliography

Corvell, Charles Jr.  "U.S. Army." The World Book Encyclopedia.  1999.

Cosgrove, Holli R, (Editor.)  "Job Opportunities in the Armed Forces." Occupational Outlook Handbook 2000-01 Edition.    2000.

Green, Michael.  The United States Air Force. Mankato: Capstone Press.

Kennedy, Robert.   Life As A Paratrooper.   Children's Press A. Division Of Gollier Publishing.

"Military Careers" Career Discovery Encyclopedia.  2000.

 Redick, James.  Executive Officer at Yakima Training Center, Personal Interview on January 3, 2002.
 


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