How to Work for the United States Army
The United States Army offers a myriad of work opportunities to both civilians and enlisted personnel. Due to its sheer size, career opportunities of virtually every sort are available with the Army.
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Things You'll Need
- U.S. citizenship
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Enlistment in the U.S. Army (required for certain positions)
Instructions
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Head for a Career in the Army
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Contact a recruitment office and enlist. You will be subject to a series of physical and psychological tests to ensure you are fit to enter basic training. You must be at least 18 years of age.
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Learn about the opportunities the U.S. Army offers for personnel to pursue education. Virtually any kind of training you're interested in--college, trade, professional schools--can be arranged through U.S. Army initiatives.
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Continue to serve as you complete your education. You will have the opportunity to master a Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) while you meet the credentials for whatever kind of training--civilian or military--you're aiming to complete.
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Apply your education towards a career in the Army as an officer, or by advancing in your MOS. The longer you serve, the better and broader the opportunities that will become available to you.
Work for the Army as a Civilian
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Learn where you fit in under the 2 major umbrella categories of civilian work performed with the U.S. Army: the Office of Personnel Management and the Army's civilian personnel workforce. The former performs large-scale administration and tracking of Army personnel, while the latter facilitates the day-to-day operation of Army services.
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Search the USA Jobs federal government employment website for current civilian openings with the United States Army (see Resources below). You can browse a list of available jobs or define your search criteria by category, depending on the nature of your training and employment experience.
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Apply for any jobs you're qualified for as well as interested in. The advancement potential for most civilian careers is commensurate with what you'd find in most large-scale corporations or organizations.
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Interview for any positions you receive further consideration for.
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Remember that the immediate families of enlisted personnel specially qualify for jobs with the U.S. Army, particularly in residential quarters. Speak to an Army human resources staff member to learn more about what kind of jobs you might qualify for if you're the spouse or child of an Army serviceperson.
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Tips & Warnings
Certain positions in the U.S. Army are subject to background checks and/or drug testing.
