Pros
-Knowing that your line of work is in service to the nation: Just knowing that you are working to defend the country gives your occupation a sense of nobility that will be difficult to be rivaled in the profit-based organizations of corporate America. -Proud heritage of serving in the Armed Forces: A proud history of your profession allows you to feel a connection to all of the history making people of the past generations. -Benefits package is comprehensive: The catastrophic healthcare coverage, Thrift Savings Plan, and affordable group life insurance is a plus. -High level of job security: The downturn of the economy does not make you fear if you'll be able to provide for your family (a highly reassuring benefit of being in the Armed Services)
Cons
-Promotion is not based on merit, compensation is based on seniority, not performance; underperforming peers will still advance. The Army promotion system rewards the high performers with decorations or opportunities of increased responsibility and therefore you must be self motivated without tangible incentives. The only monetary incentive is to be promoted a year ahead of your year group and that is only at your promotion grade milestones. -High deployment operational tempo: Going a year without seeing your familiy takes a toll, going multiple times takes even more. -The large nature of the organization and abundance of regulations makes it difficult for innovation. -Bureacracy makes it difficult to get rid of poor Soldiers and even more difficult to get rid of poor Officers.
