Military Benefits most Civilian Jobs Don't Offer:
30 Days Paid Vacation
Most civilian jobs offer 10 days. You accumulate 2.5 days leave per month while serving active duty. During your career you can sell back unused leave up to a total of 60 days at the time of your re-enlistment or the completion of your active military contract.
10 Paid Holidays a Year
Most civilian jobs offer only 6. At the discretion of your supervisor you may also be granted special liberty (up to 3 days off with full pay and allowances). The Commanding Officer may grant up to 4 days special liberty - usually as an incentive or reward for hard work. Liberty can be given at any time and does not have to coincide with regular paid holidays.
Lifetime Medical Care
Less than half of civilian employers offer retiree medical insurance. Tricare insurance is low cost to military dependants and retirees. The co-pay is very low compared to insurance available to civilians. Health insurance can be one of the most costly services you will pay for as a civilian.
Military Disability Coverage
In the Navy if you are injured and unable to work, you continue to receive your compensation indefinitely. In the civilian sector you cease to be paid when you exhaust your sick and vacation time. Disability insurance can be purchased but it is very expensive and pays only a percentage of your income.
Navy Tuition Assistance (TA)
The Navy has an outstanding tuition assistance program. Tuition assistance pays the tuition and fees of the accredited centers of higher learning for course enrollments. TA pays 100% of tuition costs for the completion of a General Education Diploma or High School Diploma. For post high school a fiscal year credit limit of 16 Semester Hours (SH), 24 Quarter Hours (QH), 240 Clock Hours (CH) or 24 Continuing Education Units (CEU) per member. There is a limit of $4500 by the Department of Defense per fiscal year. Tuition and fee payments will not exceed the following caps:
- $166.67 per CEU
- $16.67 per CH
- $250.00 per SH
- $166.67 per QH
Military Morale, Welfare and Recreation Services
The military is very concerned about the welfare and morale of Sailors, Soldiers, Marines and Airmen. The range of recreational services and assistance available to you by the military is unmatched by any civilian job. Some of the services/assistance include:
- Base Clubs
- MWR Events and Discounted Tickets
- Fitness Center, Pool, Tennis, Golf
- Discounted Equipment Rentals
- Flying, Sail, and Scuba Clubs
- Military Spouse Social Clubs
- Hobby Shops
Other military benefits include:
- Free Legal Services
- Space "A" Travel
- Discounted Child Care
- Military Spouse Employment Assistance
- Thrift Savings Plan
- Low cost life insurance for member through Service Group Life Insurance
- Low cost life insurance for spouse through Service Group Life Insurance