4 Financial Benefits to Serving in the U.S. Military

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By Jayla Barnsen

1. Housing Benefits

One of the major financial benefits to serving in the U.S. military is the extensive housing benefits. Those who have large families and need more space will get larger benefits than those who are single or have small families. The U.S. military will give a housing stipend to those in service for their rent if they are not about to purchase a home. If they do want to purchase a home those in military service qualify for VA loans. VA veterans loans allow a lower down payment than traditional loans and very favorable percentage rates. VA loans operate very similarly to FHA loans but only require that the home buyer be in the military.

2. Sign Up Bonuses

During particularly tumultuous times it is not uncommon for the military to offer significant sign up bonuses for new military recruits. These bonuses can range from a few thousands of dollars to something far more substantial depending on how the recruit tests when initially being placed. Recruits that are going directly into officer positions often have much higher signing bonuses than ordinary recruits.

3. Education Costs

Many recruits join the military specifically because of the funds they offer for education. The military will fully fund a recruit’s college education and will often pay off educational loans that the recruit took out before joining. These educational costs can exceed tens of thousands of dollars. Many branches of the military also offer exceptional on the job training and the ability to work towards a degree during ordinary service. The air force has one of the best universities in the nation and has many different training courses. Usually a recruit can finish their college degree by the time their service is done which allows them to enter directly into the workforce as a skilled applicant.

4. Discounts and Deals

Military recruits can also take advantage of many discounts and deals throughout retail stores. Many deals may require that the military recruit ask about it or request it but military discounts are extremely pervasive. Even fast food restaurants often offer discounts to the military and these discounts cam be extremely important when the military recruit is based in an area that has higher prices than they are used to. There are many locations in which a military recruit may find themselves and their family that has both higher grocery prices and restaurant prices than the family is used to and military discounts can help significantly. Furniture stores are another location that often offer discounts or special financing to members of the military.

Training for Radiography and Sonography

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Health clinics and hospital continue to need trained radiography and sonography technicians due to the aging population and new diagnostic trends. Doctors and patients are more often choosing sonography because it is safe and no radiation side effects.  In fact, diagnostic medical sonography  jobs will growth 19% by 2016.

Radiography

Radiography technologists use ionizing radiation to produce body images that can be used by doctors to diagnose illness. This includes x-rays, mammography, MRI, CT and other imaging methods.

Ultrasound

Sonography technologist produce an image using ultrasound technology,  sound waves, that bounce off the cavities of the body to create images. Sonography and ultrasound are frequently used on pregnant women  to “see” their baby, to check arteries and viens in the body, the heart and other organs.

It takes 2- and 4-years to learn how to be a radiography or sonography technician. The 2 year program is very popular, classes required include anatomy, instrumentation, and medical ethics. Most schools offer a certification and some states require that you pass a test to be licensed.

Radiology Schools usually offer both radiography and sonography programs. When choosing a school be sure to check if they are accredited. Many have student evaluations you cna review as well as statistics about if graduates have found jobs.

There is a shortage of radiography and sonography technicians in states which have a high aging population such as Florida, Texas and most rural areas. Mobile radiography and sonography units are being deplored by hospitals and clinics to address the needs of rural patients and those living in extended care facilities. In fact this mobile faucet maybe the fastest growing area since it provides much needed out reach.

Overall, health care professional jobs are on the rise. there are many different jobs in health care so you have a good chance of finding a speciality which will suit you and help those in need of medical services.