As a Soldier, you’ll have responsibilities and requirements to meet. But you’ll also be able to pursue your own interests, career goals, and lifestyle.
Step Into the Daily Life of a Soldier
Every Soldier’s day looks different, but that doesn’t mean you’ll stray away from the things you know and love. Get a glimpse of what everyday life looks like for Soldiers—from career paths to interests outside of work—and how the Army culture can mesh with your lifestyle.
GET IN A RHYTHM
You can expect a balance between your work and personal life after the required initial training. Day to day you’ll have a job, responsibilities, and dedicated training hours which may be demanding. But you’ll also have time to relax, pursue interests, connect with friends and family, and live like you normally do.
ENJOY ALL YOUR REGULAR AMENITIES
Army bases are similar to your hometown, with Soldiers and their families free to come and go as needed. You'll have access to many places you'll recognize that will help it feel familiar.
- Grocery Stores
- Restaurants
- Places of Worship
- Recreation Centers
- Communities
- Shopping Centers
- Entertainment
CONTRACT OPTIONS TO MEET YOUR GOALS
Your working hours and length of contract in the Army can vary depending on your goals, job, and service. The Army provides clear options on ways you can join and the service commitment for each path, so you can choose what will make the most sense for you.
FEEL PREPARED TO DEPLOY
Although deployment is difficult to predict, the Army prepares you and your family while providing support during the time away, which averages nine months in combat and can be longer for non-combat.
What Soldiers Wish They Knew
Coming Into the Army
"Prior to joining the Army, I thought everything was going to be big guns, tanks, and running around. However, there are so many different career fields that people can take that are different and versatile."
- SPC. MARION JONES
"One thing I misunderstood is that every single day you get yelled at or somebody is in your face. That is far from the truth. In the initial entry, you’ll go through that, but after it's just a professional environment."
- SGT. 1ST CLASS ARNIE CLOPTON
"One thing I wish I knew before is that you don't have to be perfect to join the Army. No matter if you are enlisted, a commissioned Officer, a Warrant Officer ... you are going to be a leader in some shape or form."
- 2ND LT. HATEM SMADI
Common Questions
How long is a workday in the Army?
The length of your workday varies based on your Army job, rank, missions, and other factors. Your hours can also fluctuate from one day to the next, depending on what you’re working on. Some jobs may feel structured like a nine-to-five, whereas others may have earlier start times or some overnight work. For more information and examples of how a workday could look, visit the Day In The Life page.
What are meals like for Soldiers?
Soldiers have many food options on base, like the commissary, or grocery store, as well as various restaurants. They also have access to a dining facility known as DFAC, which is cafeteria-style dining with meals prepared by Army culinary specialists, or cooks.
In the field, Army culinary specialists use different foods, cooking techniques, and more mobile equipment to prepare meals and fuel Soldiers on-site. In some instances Soldiers may need MREs, or meals, ready to eat, which are prepackaged options that require less time and prep work to consume.
Will I get vacation days?
Yes. We believe that the time you have off is just as important as the work you put in. You'll get 30 vacation days (paid time off) each year as part of the Army's Total Benefits package as well as free weekends, national holidays, and sick days as needed.
Don’t worry, there’s no obligation if you reach out.
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our ROTC recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How can the Army help me pay for college?
What is the time commitment for part-time service?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
Do I have to go to Basic Training?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
How do I apply for ROTC scholarships?
How do I join ROTC at the college I want to attend?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out,
Questions you may have right now
- Who will reach out to me?
One of our recruiters will either call or email you to set up time to talk.
- What will you ask me?
Our conversation will likely begin with some basic qualifying questions, like your age and education level. From there, the conversation will be about getting to know you and your goals for the future. Expect us to ask about your interests and skills so we can suggest Army jobs that might interest you.
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Do I qualify to join the Army?
Can I join as an Officer?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
What type of health care jobs are available in the Army?
Can the Army help me pay for medical school?
- How can I prepare for the conversation?
-
While we'll ask you questions, this is your opportunity to ask some of your own. Here are a couple to get you started:
Can I join ROTC at my age
Can I join as an Officer?
- Will I be expected to join if I talk to someone?
No. Our goal is to answer your questions and help you decide if the Army is a good option for you. We understand you may not be ready to join yet, or that we may not be the right fit, and that's fine. There's no obligation for talking to us.
KEEP EXPLORING
Explore more topics that may interest you
Thanks for reaching out, .
We admire you for considering such a big career decision at your age. Unfortunately, we're unable to directly reach out to you until you are at least sixteen years old and a junior in high school. However, the following ROTC info is something that may interest you now.
Questions you may have right now
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army full-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you
- How do I apply for ROTC Scholarships?
Army ROTC has several scholarships available for college-bound high school students. Review your options at ROTC Scholarships, or immediately apply by creating an account at my.goarmy.com to get started.
- How old do I have to be to serve in the Army part-time?
To become an enlisted Soldier, you must be 17 years old. To become an Army Officer, you must be at least 18 years old and have a college degree obtained either through ROTC, U.S. Military Academy at West Point, or from another college or university program. Learn more about Army Eligibility Requirements and how to receive Officer training while in college.
- What are the ways to serve part-time?
You can serve part-time as a Soldier in the Army Reserve or the Army National Guard. By serving part-time, you are able to continue your college education or work a civilian job, while earning an extra paycheck and maintaining many of the benefits of military service.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- How do I become a health care provider in the Army?
You can serve part-time or full-time as you train in our health care program. Upon graduation of the program, you will enter the Army health care team as a Commissioned Officer.
- What types of medical careers are available in the Army?
There are numerous health care careers available through the Army Medical Education Deparment (AMEDD), including physicians, dentists, nurses, veterinarians, and many more. View your career options.
- How can the Army help me pay for college?
There are a variety of options available to help you pursue education with flexibility, such as ROTC programs, the GI Bill, and other programs that help pay for college tuition, trade school, technical school, or trainings. View all of the Education Benefits available to you.
- What are the benefits of joining ROTC?
ROTC makes it possible to achieve your ambitions. Become a leader and serve your country in one of the nation's top leadership training programs. You can do this while maintaining your college curriculum and earning up to 100% tuition coverage. Upon graduation, you're guaranteed a career as an Army Officer.
- How do I prepare to join ROTC?
When you're at least 16 years old and at least a high school junior, you can reach out to us, or even talk to your high school counselor. Together, we'll talk options and decide if ROTC is the right path for you.
- Will I become an Officer if I complete ROTC?
Yes. After graduation, you are commissioned as a highly respected second lieutenant in the Army, entrusted with leading other Soldiers.