FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How will I know if my son or daughter is safe?
The U.S. Army places a large emphasis on intensive, situational training and strict adherence to protocol. This insures that Soldiers are not only well-prepared during combat operations, but also during day-to-day procedures, whether that means loading a pallet of supplies into an FMTV or performing a parachute training exercise from a C17 aircraft.
Some Soldiers may be asked to perform a task in dangerous situations. It is important to understand that every mission, regardless of scope, is subject to meticulous training, preparation and demands flawless execution. Because of this, safety is a priority.
What is deployment?
The Army defines deployment as the movement of personnel and supplies to an area of operations. Generally, many Soldiers define deployment as transportation to a combat region, but this is not always the case. The U.S. military maintains bases in many parts of the world, including non-combat regions, and U.S. Soldiers could be deployed to an area for a variety of reasons. Learn more about deployment.
What is the likelihood that my son or daughter will see a combat situation during their Army career?
There is no easy answer to this question. Traditionally, the Army has been the United States’ first line of defense in times of war. Today, the Army performs many more roles. U.S. Soldiers provide humanitarian relief in regions stricken by natural disaster. They have a presence in hundreds of non-combat areas around the world, providing anything from medical services, to human resource support.
Whether or not a Soldier sees combat may depend on his or her Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), the United States’ current political situation, or a long list of other factors. Regardless of those conditions, it is important to understand that combat situations are difficult to predict.
Each and every U.S. Soldier, regardless of rank or job is trained to the fullest of his or her abilities and equipped to handle the challenges of deployment. For more information on deployment, click here.
What advantages will my son or daughter reap through military service, as opposed to enrolling in college, or simply finding a job after high school?
The U.S. Army has training and jobs in more than 150 career fields, ranging from medicine and law to electronics, mathematics and many more. U.S. Army Soldiers also receive competitive pay and benefits packages that equal or surpass those found in many entry-level civilian jobs.
The many programs the Army has available to help Soldiers pay for a college education will assist your son or daughter in achieving a college degree without having to swim through a sea of debt afterwards. Learn more about Army pay and benefits here.
What is life on an Army base like?
Experiences may vary depending on the Army installation, but life on-post is generally likened to life in a small community. Just like civilians, Soldiers have jobs, and are free to do what they like during off-hours. Many Army bases have recreational activities, like bowling, ice-skating, and golfing as well as grocery stores, shopping centers and other amenities. Find out more about on-post living here.
Will I be able to contact my son or daughter after they’re deployed?
The Army has many services that allow Army personnel to keep in touch with their families, including phones, video phones, email (and other online methods of communication, like Facebook), military networks, and a mail system. The Army, in fact, encourages Soldiers and their families to keep in touch whenever possible as it helps military men and women to keep their spirits high.
Want to experience life on an actual Army base? Take the goarmy.com virtual tour, which will give you a first-person view of the locations you will visit every day as a Soldier on post.
