What can you take with you into the military?

What is 3 clicks in military terms?

In military terms, "3 clicks" (often spelled "klicks") means 3 kilometers, a unit of distance used for brevity and standardization, equating to roughly 1.86 miles (3 kilometers x 0.62 miles/km). It's a phonetic shortening of "kilometer," widely used in radio communication for speed, originating from interactions with metric-using forces and NATO standardization. 

What are the 5 military discharges?

The main types of U.S. military discharges, from best to worst, are Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable, with Uncharacterized (like Entry-Level Separation) sometimes listed separately as not reflecting on conduct; these characters of service determine eligibility for veteran benefits, with Honorable being the best and Dishonorable being the most severe. 

Do they give you $10,000 if you join the Army?

Yes, the U.S. Army offers enlistment bonuses, including potential payments around $10,000 or more, for joining certain jobs (MOS) or for shipping out quickly, but it's not guaranteed for everyone and depends on critical needs and specific qualifications. You can get bonuses for specific high-demand roles like Infantry, Cyber Ops, or Mechanics, or quick-ship bonuses for reporting fast, with some incentives reaching higher amounts for longer commitments or specific skills.
 

What are three cons of joining the military?

Recruits may not understand the specifics of the enlistment agreement, the possibility of recruiter fraud, the limitations of college funding available through the military, and the problems faced by veterans when they leave the armed forces. It is important to learn all you can before you join.

Do you get a free house if you join the military?

As a Soldier living on base, your housing is covered. If you're living off base, we offer a housing allowance to help pay for living expenses like rent and utilities.

What will disqualify you from joining the military?

You can be disqualified from the military for serious criminal offenses (especially violent felonies), certain severe or chronic medical conditions (like epilepsy, major mental health disorders requiring hospitalization, or severe allergies), drug/alcohol offenses, significant financial irresponsibility, and sometimes for security/citizenship issues, though waivers are possible for many situations, particularly with minor infractions or well-managed conditions.
 

What are the 10 soldier rules?

• Soldiers fight only combatants.
• Soldiers do not harm enemies who surrender. ...
• Soldiers do not kill or torture personnel in their custody.
• Soldiers collect and care for the wounded, whether friend or foe.
• Soldiers do not attack protected persons and protected places.
• Soldiers destroy no more than the mission requires.

Can your girlfriend live on base with you?

Unmarried couples typically cannot live on base unless under specific circumstances (such as being designated a caregiver for children). That means most cohabiting couples rent military housing off base, often with both names on the lease. Here, the military clause comes into play.

Do military get paid monthly?

Being an Active Duty servicemember comes with benefits and perks, one being a steady paycheck with tax-free allowance. You can expect your paycheck twice a month since the military pay chart is bi-monthly. View the 2026 Active Duty military posting calendar below or download the PDF.

Do military work 7 days a week?

No, military members don't always work 7 days a week, but it's common to work weekends, holidays, and long hours depending on the job, training, deployment status, or mission needs; while some roles have a standard M-F schedule, others, especially in combat zones or essential support, operate 24/7 with no fixed days off.
 

What is the 1 2 3 4 5 6 packing rule?

The 1-2-3-4-5-6 packing rule is a guideline for packing light for a week-long trip, suggesting: 1 hat, 2 pairs of shoes, 3 bottoms (pants/skirts), 4 tops (shirts/blouses), 5 pairs of socks, and 6 pairs of underwear, plus a few extras like a jacket or swimsuit, to create a versatile capsule wardrobe that mixes and matches for different outfits while minimizing luggage. It encourages re-wearing items and doing laundry for longer trips, focusing on core pieces that can form numerous combinations.
 

Can you make $100,000 in the military?

Yes, you can make $100,000 in the military, especially as an officer or in high-demand fields like aviation, cyber, or medicine, when factoring in base pay, allowances (like BAH/BAS for housing/food), bonuses, and benefits, though it's harder as an enlisted member without significant rank or special skills; officers reach six figures faster through rank progression, while enlisted personnel often achieve it through advanced training, bonuses, and smart financial habits, with civilian job opportunities post-service providing another path to high earnings. 

What is considered the worst Army base?

There's no single "worst" Army base, as it's subjective, but Fort Polk (LA) and Fort Irwin (CA) frequently top lists due to extreme isolation, harsh climates, intense field training (JRTC/NTC), and limited off-base amenities, while other bases like Fort Hood (TX) face criticism for high crime and safety issues, and Fort Drum (NY) for brutal cold, with some citing Fort Bragg (NC) and Joint Base Lewis-McChord (WA) for crime/weather/tempo.
 

What is the safest military to join?

Typically, risk exposure can vary widely depending on the role you take within any branch of the military. As a general rule, though, the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Navy have been described as safer than the army or marines. This isn't a hard and fast rule, though.

Does the military pay you for life?

Defined Benefit: Monthly retired pay for life after at least 20 years of service (so if you retire at 20 years of service, you will get 40% of your highest 36 months of base pay). Retired pay will be calculated as follows: (Years of creditable service x 2.0%) x average of highest 36 months basic pay.

Do you get paid during Basic Training?

Do you get paid in Basic Training? Yes, you do get paid in Basic Training on the first and fifteenth of every month. The amount depends on your rank.

Is joining the military worth it financially?

The military provides notable compensation benefits, ranging from paid leave days to retired-pay plans that beat those which many private sector employers offer. It also offers free or reduced cost housing, a host of special and incentive pays for qualifying conditions, free financial and tax consultations and more.

Can you quit the military?

You have to sign a contract, so your position is a contractual one and you have to honor that document. This means that you have to serve the term that you agreed to serve, at which point you can decide if you want to stop or sign up for another term. There are ways that you can quit, such as asking for a discharge.

What's the worst discharge in the military?

Dishonorable discharge (DD)

A dishonorable discharge, colloquially referred to as a "duck dinner", is the most serious type of discharge in the US military.

What are the five types of military?

The U.S. has six branches of the armed forces: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard, often remembered by the core five (Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard) before Space Force became the newest, focusing on land, sea, air, space, and maritime law enforcement/rescue, respectively, each with unique roles in national defense.