Military jobs are perhaps the most challenging in the world, and no work in the military is completely safe. You can be assigned to a combat situation if it is your preferred career path, but it is also feasible to find a position in a comparatively secure field.
As a general rule, in the military, non-combat positions are the safest in the service, providing logistical, administrative, regulatory, and medical functions. Jobs like accountant, HR officer and paralegal are example of enlisted positions providing the highest degree of safety in the military.
”Whoever said the pen is mightier than the sword obviously never encountered automatic weapons.” – Douglas MacArthur
US Military: Enlisted Troops and Military Officers
The United States military separates its troops into two groups: enlisted troops and military officers. Enlisted service personnel make up the overwhelming bulk of the national staff, doing routine duties such as maintaining vehicles and engaging in war operations. They can also construct airports and bridges, as well as fix buildings and water purification systems.
Military officers hold roles of leadership within their respective units. Enlisted staff is managed, procedures are organized, and specialized medical, legal, and professional resources are provided. You could become a military specialty officer with the appropriate skills and expertise. These commanders control combat activities such as artillery batteries, infantry divisions, and armed fighting vehicles.
Combat jobs pose a risk to its members. From 1980 through 2010, the Defense Manpower Data Center, one of the Department of Defense’s analytical divisions, documented the below:
| From 1980 through 2010, the Defense Manpower Data Center | 48,834 military personnel deaths, or 1,575 deaths each year. |
The American military, on the other hand, is a massive institution with 1.35 million active-duty service personnel across all branches in any given year. Between 1980 and 2010, the US fielded an average of 1.7 million active service members every year, and when you factor in the full-time equivalent service hours of reserve forces, the US has fielded approximately 1.9 million full-time equivalent service members per year for the last three decades.
| From 2001 to 2010, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq caused a considerable increase in combat-related deaths, with a rate of 27.7 service members per 100,000. | This increased fatality rate drove the overall military mortality rate up to 93.4 service members per 100,000 per year. |
Types of Safe non-combat position in the Military
Not all military jobs entail combat. There are several noncombat professions available, including managerial positions in administration and human resources. Another common area of employment is support services; those in roles such as military chaplain and dining hall chef perform critical roles in each division or unit. Tactical aircraft repair technician, nurse, and field artillery Firefinder RADAR operator are among the other in-demand military employment.
Many administration jobs are non-combat and are done at the base. They are relatively stable positions to be in, and they have good work options once the military service is completed. They are critical to troop morale and the seamless operation of the military as a whole.
1. A financial accounting technician
A financial accounting technician is one example of safe non-combat job in the military. This is the combat version to becoming a bookkeeper or accountant. Budgets and accounting processes must be prepared and maintained by them.
Paying invoices and processing checks, dealing with travel costs, and preparing financial reports are all part of the job. You would calculate military salaries and review financial information. Your job is to keep the military’s financial functions running smoothly. Typically, an financial account working in the military earns on average $70,3168 per year (which is 26% above the national average for the profession).
2. HR Professional
Another role you might pursue is that of an HR professional. As a human resources expert, you would be responsible for ensuring the soldiers are battle trained. The position covers both the safety and general well-being of the military personnel.
You may be responsible for strength evaluation, staff reports and transparency, mail care, and maintaining emergency contact information. Bathroom, washing, and clothing repair technicians are another safe occupation. Your primary duties would be to decontaminate toilets and staff uniforms. Your responsibilities would involve bulk washing, mobile shower systems, and dress adjustment and repair. Chaplains, Quartermasters, and Supply Specialists are other management and service positions to consider. On average, HR Professionals in the military earn $44,522 per year (which is 10% below the average).
3. Legal Services
Jobs in the Legal Services are often typically non-combatant, and you may be stationed on base or even stateside. Both are critical positions for the military’s smooth operation.
Your job as a paralegal professional is to offer legal advice and assistance in all aspects of the law affecting your base and commanders. You may be expected to prepare legal papers in fields such as criminal law, contract law, and foreign law. You can likely help with the writing of wills, dissolution papers, and other family law matters. On average, a military lawyer makes $72,225 per year.
4. Medical Practioners
Non-combatant medical positions are normally safe. A dental specialist is one of the medical positions available in the military. Your prime responsibility is to support the dentist and to keep the dental clinic and facilities in good working order. Job responsibilities include preparing equipment, assessing patients’ vital signs, and administering anesthesia.
From oral care and preventative dentistry through office practices and x-ray methods, you can understand it all. This is a very valuable role with excellent civilian job opportunities. There are several noncombat medical positions that provide secure military employment with expertise that can be readily translated to civilian life. Dentists yearly salary, in the military, is on average $147,115 per year, which is 32% than the national average.
“All of the real heroes are not storybook combat fighters either. Every single man in this Army play a vital role. Don’t ever let up. Don’t ever think that your job is unimportant. Every man has a job to do and he must do it. Every man is a vital link in the great chain.”
Even in periods of economic prosperity, men and women enter the military for the opportunities it provides, such as tuition, transport, on-the-job training, accommodation, employment, access to healthcare, and pension payments. Furthermore, you will be able to apply your expertise in the private sector as a second profession.
7 Benefits to enlist in the military
Decided to enlist in the military can be a perfect way for people to learn advanced knowledge and leadership opportunities that can help them adapt to a dynamic and evolving economy. Military veterans receive a host of financial opportunities when on active service, including grants from the U.S. Department of Defense’s Tuition Assistance program.
You may also register for the Army, Navy, to Marine Corps College Fund and obtain extra financial assistance through student loan deferment and repayment services. Service members often receive free accommodation and healthcare for themselves and their relatives, as well as lucrative travel and retirement packages.
- Job Security
To stay with the military to finish your period of service, you are paid a full-time salary. This provides you with job protection and promotion based on your period of service.
- Formal education
Veterans Affairs services, such as the Post-9/11 GI Bill, make it possible for the government to provide for the higher tuition. If you join a private college or university, you may be eligible for tuition aid of up to $18,077.50 per year.
Furthermore, whenever you join a postsecondary school as an in-state resident, the government would provide for all of the tuition and fees. If you become partially or fully injured when participating in the service, your partner and children could be eligible for up to 45 months of tuition aid under the Veterans Affairs Spouse and Dependents Assistance scheme.
- Travel
You would not have to compensate for your flight or lodging costs while you are going to a new duty station or as part of your work service. If your partner and minor children are accompanying you to a new duty station, they will fly for free as well. Furthermore, regardless of where you are stationed, the military provides discounted tours.
- Training
Following basic training, you may typically undergo specialized training in the military profession. You can undergo on-the-job instruction if you submit straight to the first duty station following basic training.
- Living Quarters
If you remain on base, the housing is usually provided for in full by the military. If you go off base, the military can provide you with a regular stipend to help you care for your deposit, mortgage, and electricity. The sum of money you earn is determined by considerations such as your level, the cost of life in the field to which you are allocated, the base salary, and the duration of your service.
- Medical Benefits
You, your parents, and any adult children enjoy free medical services when serving in the service. To get free treatment, you must generally attend military hospitals or clinics. In addition, after you withdraw from the service, you might be eligible for free medical treatment at a Veterans Affairs hospital or clinic.
- Retirement Benefits
Serving in the military can offer you an advantage if you decide to choose another career after retiring. If you go to work with the government, you would be given priority in jobs if you are a veteran. Because of their experience, many private-sector companies choose retired military personnel. Retired military personnel are entitled to a pension payment as well.