Military Career: State or Federal Level?

I've been thinking about a military career as my next step post-high school. I'm not sure though, do the enlistment policies and career paths vary with state or is this all done at a federal level?

In the United States, military service largely operates at the federal level, involving branches such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and the newly created Space Force. These branches are part of the Department of Defense and fall under the purview of the federal government.

Enlistment in any of these federal-level branches will involve a standard procedure that usually includes a recruitment process, undergoing a physical and mental evaluation, choosing a career or "MOS" (which stands for Military Occupational Specialty), and eventually attending basic training. It's also important to note that these branches can send servicemen and servicewomen all over the world.

However, there's also a state level component to military service known as the National Guard, which each state, along with Washington D.C., and the territories of Guam, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico each have. The National Guard is a unique element of the U.S. military that serves both community and country. The Guard responds to domestic emergencies, oversees missions, and participates in combat operations, but the primary responsibilities are to the states.

A person can join the Air or Army National Guard, and while they still go through federal training and can be deployed overseas, they also often serve their local community in times of emergency, like during natural disasters.

Enlistment procedures, training requirements, and career paths in the National Guard can be somewhat different from typical military procedures due to these specific state- and community-level duties they undertake.

In conclusion, if you join the military, most of your interaction will be at the federal level unless you join the National Guard, where you get a blend of both federal and state experiences. It's a good idea to speak with recruiters from multiple branches to get a better understanding of what life will be like in each branch before making your decision. Remember, deciding to pursue a military career is a significant commitment, so it's essential to gather as much information as possible.