CHAPTER THREE

BECOMING A SOLDIER

To be an Army soldier, recruits must be between 17 and 35 years of age, have a high school education, and be in good physical condition. Recruits must also be U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

After joining the Army, new recruits attend Basic Combat Training (BCT), also known as boot camp. BCT is a tough, 10-week training course. Recruits wake up before dawn and train hard all day. They run long distances, climb walls, and race over obstacle courses. They also learn combat and weapons skills.

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During a swearing in ceremony, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Peter W. Chiarelli leads a group of new recruits in repeating the enlistment Oath.

After Basic Combat Training, soldiers go to Advanced Individual Training (AIT). They receive hands-on training and field instruction to learn the skills they will need for their Army jobs.

FREEDOM FACT:

There are more than 150 different Army jobs. Soldiers may learn advanced infantry skills, how to operate high-tech missile systems, or maintain weaponry systems. They may choose jobs in areas such as medicine, science, technology, engineering, and construction. All of these jobs are needed to make the Army run smoothly.

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Advanced Individual Training (AIT) soldiers practice entering a building during a training exercise.

The U.S. Army’s Green Berets are trained for special operations around the world. The Green Berets stop acts of terrorism. They gather information and destroy enemy weapons. Some missions recover people or spy on enemies. Sometimes the Green Berets assist forces deep in enemy territory.

THE ARMY OFFERS CAREERS IN A HUGE VARIETY OF FIELDS. HERE ARE SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR:

image  financial manager

image  interpreter

image  intelligence analyst

image  graphic designer

image  military police

image  artillery specialist

image  satellite communications systems operator

image  dental specialist

image  aircraft electronics

Here is a website to find more info on careers http://www.goarmy.com/careers-and-jobs/browse-career-and-job-categories.html

Army soldiers performing and perfecting their tactics for both combat and training scenarios.