Kyle Badgero

Mason Branigan
Ben Carney
Gage Gall
Tim Kirby
Mr. Gross
English 12 B (3)
23 March 2015
The Benefits of The Military
A video released by ISIS on the 19th of August, 2014, shows the beheading of U.S.
journalist James Foley and threatens the life of another American if President Barack Obama
doesn't end military operations in Iraq. In the appalling video you can hear Foley say I wish I
had more time. I wish I had the hope for freedom to see my family again. (Carter 1). Americans
must see how crucial the armed forces are in keeping America safe. Americans must serve a
minimum of two years in the armed forces after high school. Brutal terrorist organizations are
sprouting up all over the world. Young men and women are weighed down by large amounts of
debt. Jobs are down in the economy and poverty levels are rising. Young people do not have
essential skills to acquire specific jobs. The military may seem like Americas most dangerous
job, but in fact it is not (Comparing Military 1). The military is the best place for continued
employment. Americans must serve a minimum of two year in the armed forces after high
school.

The innocent are being put in danger by the increasing number of terrorist organizations
emerging. Jihadi, or Jihadist, refers to a person who believes that an Islamic state governing the

entire community of Muslims must be created, and that this necessity justifies violent conflict
with those who stand in its way.(Jihadi 1) Jihadist groups have increased 58 percent since 2010.
The number of Jihadist fighters have doubled, and the number of worldwide attacks have tripled
(Ahlert 1). Groups of extremists continuously harass and murder the innocent. These violent
actions must be brought to the attention of every American. Not only are these terrorist groups
kidnapping and murdering American citizens, but also the groups have been oppressing,
extorting and murdering the innocent people where the organizations have taken control of.
Many young people protest the United States involvement in these conflicts, but if these young
adults could see all of the evil the terrorist groups are doing, more people would enlist into the
military. The more people that are in the armed forces means more aid for all of the innocent
people in need of help. With the proper training and leadership, the people will be able to band
together as a powerful and positive source of protection for the country. Foreign and domestic
attacks could be prevented from reaching the innocent by creating skilled soldiers. According to
the chart of casualties there has been a significantly lesser amount of deaths due to terrorist
attacks since 1980 (American War and Military 8). Due to the increase in involvement and
training of people joining the military, soldiers have been able to prevent the number of
casualties caused by terrorists. There is a solution in protecting, preventing, and improving the
safety of America: Americans must enlist into the armed forces for a minimum of two years after
high school.

The United States has experienced a difficult economy over the last few years, including
high levels of unemployment, rising costs, and the outsourcing of many jobs overseas. The
number of unemployed workers in March of 2015 was 8.6 million people, which is about 5.5
percent of the population (National Employment 1). Skills obtained throughout the experience

of being involved in the military will allow individuals to jump ahead of their competition.
College is also a very expensive benefactor in an individuals life in the difficult economy;
students at a young age start off their adulthood with high debts. The average college student
graduates with about $28,400 of debt. (The Military Wallet 1) Military members are able to
attend college that is paid for by tuition assistance through the post 9/11 GI Bill of Rights (The
Military Wallet 1). The GI Bill of Rights is a law that provides educational and other benefits for
people who have served in the armed forces. College students do not see the benefits that the
military has to offer. Some military schools are accredited, meaning you earn college credits as
you receive job training. However debt decreases due to the benefits provided by the
government. Tuition assistance for the Marine Corps will
fund up to 100% of institution charges for tuition,
instructional fees, laboratory fees, computer fees and
mandatory enrollment fees combined for postsecondary
education, from vocational certification through graduate study (USMCTA 1). One will have a
huge decrease in the problem of future debt due to the enormous benefits of tuition assistance the
military has to offer. Once a member of the military is enrolled with tuition assistance he or she
must submit a degree plan before exceeding 12 semester hours (USMCTA 1). This may feel like
a person has the stuck in the mud feeling but one must understand the huge benefits he or she
will receive, as well as the great honor of serving the United States as well as a huge jump start
to life. Therefore, Americans must serve a minimum of two years in the armed forces after high
school.

Citizens would be able to look at members of the military as driven and well off
individuals if they knew or had experience in what actually happened. Instead, all they see is

death and destruction from watching movies. Little kids want action figures or G.I. Joe dolls
because they think they look cool or tough, little does the public know how much the soldiers
actually do for the United States. People take the military for granted because they judge them
with the little media focused on the military, but being a part of the military can only benefit a
person's life. Many people disapprove of the U.Ss involvement in third world conflicts. It is
mostly negative media stories that twist the actual happening of events and create a bad image
for the military What they do not understand is that this involvement is helping the country stay
safe. Although violent war time events may create a negative viewpoint on the military by the
public, they still respect the sacrifices made and understand the hardships the men and women
have to endure in the military. This respect gives people with military experience an advantage
and allows them to apply their skills to improve the standards of the country as well as being able
to specialize them with a college degree. Civilians do not realize the benefits of the military.
Military life is not all about kicking down doors and shooting the bad guys, valuable job skills
can be learned and transferred back over to civilian life. In the Marine Corps the 6012
occupation is in the aviation maintenance field. Aviation mechanics are responsible for planning,
directing, and controlling the performance of the Aviation Maintenance Department that
functions at all levels of maintenance. This job is easily transferable into civilian life due to the
GI Bill of Rights making it possible to earn a degree for this certain Military occupation. On
average, according to national levels, a head jet mechanic makes $88,000 a year (Aircraft
Mechanics 1). A person could come out of the military after four years of service and make up to
a six figure salary. The military has a wide variety of jobs that not only teaches hands on skills,
but technical skills as well. As a result, Americans must serve a minimum of two years in the
armed forces.

A solution to the previously stated problems of terrorism and an increasingly bad

economy, Americans must serve a minimum of two years in the armed forces after high school.
During their time in the military, they will be able to gain knowledge and job skills that will
better their future after the two years. It is a sensible route to take because the student loan debts
would be decreased due to serving the country. The problem of terrorists would also be handled
due to the increased military size and training. The evidence provided by the data of increasing
involvement in the military shows that serving a minimum of two years after high school would
only benefit the country and the economy as well as the individuals standing in society.

Different terrorist groups have been springing up all over the world and causing problems
not just for the United States but for countries all around the world.Young men and women are
weighed down by large amounts of debt. Jobs are down in the economy and poverty levels are
rising. Young people do not have essential skills to acquire specific
jobs. Having every American enlist in the military for a minimum
of two years after high school will cut down on the number of
terrorist cells operating around the world, will lessen student debt,
more people will have dependable jobs, and the younger generation
will have an increased population of skilled workers. The more people experiencing the military
lifestyle and training, the more skilled workers and better economy the United States will have.
Joining the military is the only sensible solution, Americans must have at least two years of
military service after high school.

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