Benefits Available for Military Personnel

A commonly-held assumption among the general public is that military service is a poorly-paid profession. This is patently false--the compensation you will receive for your work is in fact quite good. It is much better than the vast majority of your peers will receive for their work. I laugh to myself when I am around people who know nothing about what Marine officers do and assume that because I am in the military, I must be scraping by. You will certainly never have to scrape by, as the base salary is very good (approximately and the benefits are even better. Here are just a few:

Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Adequate health coverage is an area of concern for many in today's society. While serving in the Marines, this will not be one of your worries because the government will cover the medical expenses for both you and your family. Your medical care will be at the hands of top-flight military doctors or associated civilian medical institutions--you do not have to worry about cut-rate medicine on this program. You also may be able to obtain cost-free corrective eye surgery while on active duty. In addition, retiring after a full (20 year) career in the military will entitle you to continue this coverage, free of charge, for the rest of your life. No employer will offer better medical coverage than that of which you will receive through the Marine Corps.

Retirement Pension: If you retire after just 20 years of service, you will be eligible for a 50% retirement pension for the rest of your life. This pension will pay you regardless of whether you decide to work post-military, giving you the freedom to pursue a second career if you so desire.

Vacation: You are allotted 30 days PAID leave (vacation) per year the first year you are employed--compare this to the (maybe) two weeks paid vacation a civilian employer may offer. At the end of each year, you can "roll over" up to 70 days of unused leave to the new year--overall, you can accumulate up to 89 days. You can save this up and sell it back or get out and take a 90 day paid vacation. Holiday vacations are also extended for military personnel-- most personnel receive two days off for major holidays--this time does not count against your leave.

Tuition Assistance: The Marine Corps is dedicated to the continuing education of its personnel--to this end, there are several programs to augment your schooling. In one program, the Marine Corps will pay 100% of your tuition while you go to school for a master's or PhD on your own time while on active duty. There are also programs where the Corps will pay you full pay and benefits and all school tuition and fees for you to go back and get your advanced degree. They will even pay you to go to Law School to become a Marine JAG Officer. However, the best known military education plan is the Montgomery GI Bill. In this program you receive up to $80,000 towards school!

Free Worldwide Travel: As an active duty service member, you have priority on military flights anywhere in the world aboard space A travel. If there is space available on the flight, you and your family will be able to ride along at little to no cost. With the wide range of transport flights available, you may be able to vacation in Europe, Asia, or Australia at bargain prices.

Low Cost Term/Whole Life Insurance: As a serviceperson, you are eligible for affordable life insurance, providing benefits of $400,000 for yourself and $100,000 for your spouse. This coverage can be extended after you leave the Corps, ensuring you and your loved ones remain protected.

Recreation: There is an almost infinite amount of recreational opportunities for you in the Marine Corps. Every major base has major state of the art fitness centers which are free for you and your family. There are sports teams, golf courses, cycling trails, swimming pools, auto and wood hobby shops, horse stables, fishing, hunting--the list goes on and on. Active duty personnel also rate huge discounts on time share vacation homes, world wide.

These are just a few of the limitless benefits to serving in the military.

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	Benefits Available for Military Personnel A commonly-held assumption among the general public is that military service is a poorly-paid profession. This is patently false--the compensation you will receive for your work is in fact quite good. It is much better than the vast majority of your peers will receive for their work. I laugh to myself when I am around people who know nothing about what Marine officers do and assume that because I am in the military, I must be scraping by. You will certainly never have to scrape by, as the base salary is very good (approximately and the benefits are even better. Here are just a few: Comprehensive Medical Coverage: Adequate health coverage is an area of concern for many in today's society. While serving in the Marines, this will not be one of your worries because the government will cover the medical expenses for both you and your family. Your medical care will be at the hands of top-flight military doctors or associated civilian medical institutions--you do not have to worry about cut-rate medicine on this program. You also may be able to obtain cost-free corrective eye surgery while on active duty. In addition, retiring after a full (20 year) career in the military will entitle you to continue this coverage, free of charge, for the rest of your life. No employer will offer better medical coverage than that of which you will receive through the Marine Corps. Retirement Pension: If you retire after just 20 years of service, you will be eligible for a 50% retirement pension for the rest of your life. This pension will pay you regardless of whether you decide to work post-military, giving you the freedom to pursue a second career if you so desire. Vacation: You are allotted 30 days PAID leave (vacation) per year the first year you are employed--compare this to the (maybe) two weeks paid vacation a civilian employer may offer. At the end of each year, you can "roll over" up to 70 days of unused leave to the new year--overall, you can accumulate up to 89 days. You can save this up and sell it back or get out and take a 90 day paid vacation. Holiday vacations are also extended for military personnel-- most personnel receive two days off for major holidays--this time does not count against your leave. Tuition Assistance: The Marine Corps is dedicated to the continuing education of its personnel--to this end, there are several programs to augment your schooling. In one program, the Marine Corps will pay 100% of your tuition while you go to school for a master's or PhD on your own time while on active duty. There are also programs where the Corps will pay you full pay and benefits and all school tuition and fees for you to go back and get your advanced degree. They will even pay you to go to Law School to become a Marine JAG Officer. However, the best known military education plan is the Montgomery GI Bill. In this program you receive up to $80,000 towards school! Free Worldwide Travel: As an active duty service member, you have priority on military flights anywhere in the world aboard space A travel. If there is space available on the flight, you and your family will be able to ride along at little to no cost. With the wide range of transport flights available, you may be able to vacation in Europe, Asia, or Australia at bargain prices. Low Cost Term/Whole Life Insurance: As a serviceperson, you are eligible for affordable life insurance, providing benefits of $400,000 for yourself and $100,000 for your spouse. This coverage can be extended after you leave the Corps, ensuring you and your loved ones remain protected. Recreation: There is an almost infinite amount of recreational opportunities for you in the Marine Corps. Every major base has major state of the art fitness centers which are free for you and your family. There are sports teams, golf courses, cycling trails, swimming pools, auto and wood hobby shops, horse stables, fishing, hunting--the list goes on and on. Active duty personnel also rate huge discounts on time share vacation homes, world wide. These are just a few of the limitless benefits to serving in the military. Back to Pay and Benefits - Top of Page