Beginner guide

Start Here.

Six steps to go from "curious" to "confident." No sales talk, no pressure — just the order most people wish they'd known about.

1. 1

   Understand the basics

   Read the pay, housing, and healthcare overviews. You'll see how the military covers your major living costs — food, housing, medical — on top of base pay.

2. 2

   Pick 2–3 branches that interest you

   Use the Branch Comparison page. Think about lifestyle (Marines vs Air Force is very different), the kinds of jobs each offers, and where you'd be stationed.

3. 3

   Explore career fields

   Browse Jobs by Branch. Cyber, medical, mechanics, aviation, intelligence — there are hundreds of roles. Make a short list of 5 that interest you.

4. 4

   Talk to recruiters

   Visit a recruiter for each branch you're considering. Bring your job list. Ask about enlistment bonuses, guaranteed-job contracts, and training pipelines.

5. 5

   Plan for the future

   Even before joining, know your GI Bill, TSP matching, and post-service plan. The earlier you start TSP contributions, the more compound interest works for you.

6. 6

   Take the ASVAB

   The ASVAB test determines which jobs you qualify for. Free practice tests are available online — score high, and your job options expand.