Hi guys. A bit of life-after-high-school planning here. I know joining the military involves commitment and dedication, but I'm wondering if any of the branches are known for allowing more free time than others. Any insights?
This can be a bit tricky to answer, as free time in the military greatly depends on one's specific job (MOS/AFSC/Rating), command, and whether they're stationed domestically or overseas. However, in general terms, certain trends are often pointed out by service members when discussing this topic.
The Air Force is often cited as having a more traditional work schedule when compared to other branches. On a typical day, individuals often work an 8-hour shift Monday to Friday with weekends off, barring any exercises or deployments. Of course, specific job fields such as security forces or maintenance may have longer schedules.
It's widely acknowledged that the Navy and the Coast Guard often work longer hours due to the nature of their job, especially when deployed or on duty. However, the Navy also puts high emphasis on personal time, so individuals often get chunks of time off between deployments.
The Army and Marine Corps can have more irregular schedules, especially for infantry and other combat arms jobs where field training and exercises can mean long days and weeks with less time off.
Keep in mind that regardless of the branch, the military is a 24/7 job and there's always the chance of being called in for duty during your off-time. It's also important to remember that while the military can be demanding, it also offers opportunities for self-development, skills training, and education even during service.
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