Army Myths VS Facts
- Myth: Soldiers only have a high school education.
Fact: The U.S. Army encourages and supports Soldiers pursuing higher education and offers opportunities to earn degrees or technical certifications for free.
Fact: Student veterans have higher GPAs than their non-veteran classmates.
Fact: Soldiers earn college degrees for free while serving with up to $4,000 in tuition assistance each year for college courses or certifications.
Fact: The GI Bill covers up to 36 months of college for Soldiers or eligible family members. Student veterans graduate college at higher rates, earn higher GPAs, and earn more money than their non-veteran counterparts.
Fact: The U.S. Army Credentialing Assistance Program can pay for Soldiers to take courses and exams that lead to industry-recognized civilian credentials in an occupational area of their choice, helping prepare them for a post-Army career.
Fact: Every U.S. Army career field has associated credentials available.
Fact: A wide range of career options within the U.S. Army gives Soldiers the opportunity to follow their passions whether they’re interested in STEM, service, design, academics, exploration, adventure, or leadership. Soldiers can gain experience and training in their desired career field, which will translate to a civilian career after service.
- Myth: There are only infantry-type roles available in the U.S. Army.
Fact: The U.S. Army offers 150+ career options.
Fact: The U.S. Army is the largest and oldest employer of musicians.
Fact: Recruits can choose which career best suits their skills and interests.
Fact: Skills from U.S. Army careers translate to civilian careers Soldiers can pursue after service.
Fact: 900+ companies partner with the U.S. Army to offer guaranteed job interviews to Soldiers after service.
Fact: The U.S. Army offers opportunities for adventure seekers like jumping from planes, rappelling, and driving tanks. Soldiers are paid to do things that ordinary civilians would either never have the chance to do or would have to pay to experience.
- Myth: The U.S. Army is a “last resort.”
Fact: Applicants must meet the U.S. Army’s enlistment requirements to join, and less than 23% of America’s youth aged 17-34 meet the requirements for service.
Fact: Recruiting high-quality personnel is our focus, and the basic standards for becoming a new Soldier remain the same. The U.S. Army is helping new recruits position themselves to be able to serve and benefit from future U.S. Army service; helping Americans meet the standard. The U.S. Army launched a Future Soldier Preparatory Course pilot program at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to help America’s youth overcome academic and physical fitness barriers to service so they can earn the opportunity to join the U.S. Army.
- Myth: The U.S. Army restricts your ability to express yourself and your personal style.
Fact: New regulations allow women to wear their hair in a ponytail or braids, wear neutral colored nail polish, makeup, and stud earrings.
Fact: The U.S. Army has updated its tattoo policy to streamline the enlistment process and give Soldiers more options to express themselves. Current Soldiers and new recruits are now permitted to have an up to a one-inch tattoo on each hand and behind each ear, and a tattoo up to two inches on the back of the neck. They can also have tattoos in between fingers, as long as the designs can’t be seen when the fingers are closed.
Fact: Single Soldiers receive free housing in the barracks, which they’re able to decorate and make home.
- Myth: You can’t have a family if you are in the U.S. Army.
Fact: The U.S. Army provides benefits that Soldiers can extend to their families, including education opportunities and healthcare.
Fact: Military bases offer childcare options for Soldier families.
Fact: Soldiers and their families are entitled to service members group life insurance automatically covered by a comprehensive HMO-type military health-care plan called TRICARE that provides medical and dental care at little or no cost.
Fact: TRICARE enrollees receive most health care at a Military Treatment Facility, where a primary care manager supervises their care. The Army health-care team is one of the biggest health-care networks in the world, utilizing state-of-the-art technology in world-renowned facilities.
- Myth: Soldiers have no free time or personal lives.
Fact: Soldiers can have a personal life, hobbies, and passions outside of work.
Fact: Military base Morale, Welfare and Recreation centers offer recreation activities and events for Soldiers.
Fact: Military bases provide a variety of entertainment and recreation opportunities for Soldiers – from kayaking and camping trips, art classes, skiing adventures, live music, and newly released movie showings.
Fact: Outside of work, Soldiers can wear what they want. Uniforms are only required on duty.
Fact: The holistic health and wellness of our Soldiers is vital to our readiness, which is why the U.S. Army provides Soldiers with resources to maintain their physical, mental, and spiritual health.
- Myth: Soldiers are poor.
Fact: The U.S. Army Basic Pay scale depends on a Soldier’s rank and length of service. U.S. Army Basic Pay will increase with rank promotion and years of experience. Other factors such as Basic Allowance for Housing and Cost of Living Allowance impact a Soldier’s salary.
Fact: Soldiers earn more than a paycheck– they receive competitive benefits, including 30 vacation days annually, comprehensive health care, money for education, family services and career support.
- Myth: There is no diversity in the U.S. Army.
Fact: The U.S. Army is an employer of choice for engineers who graduate from Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Fact: The U.S. Army is the largest employer of female STEM professionals in the U.S. government.
Fact: U.S. Army Talent management policies ensure leadership and promotion opportunities are equal for all Soldiers.
- Myth: You can only join the U.S. Army if you’re a U.S. citizen.
Fact: Lawful Permanent Residents (Green Card holders) are eligible to enlist! Individuals who are legally living in the U.S. and seeking citizenship can accelerate their application process by protecting the nation that's providing them with opportunities and new beginnings.