Joining the Military

Stories about joining the military, from guides, to explainers, to reflective pieces about others' experiences.

Latest in Joining the Military

Screenshot from the Army National Guard commercial "Uncommon is Calling."

National Guard appeals to anti-corporate Gen Z in new commercial National Guard appeals to anti-corporate Gen Z in new commercial

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 21, 2025

Future U.S. Marines recite the oath of enlistment before shipping off to begin basic training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego at Military Entrance Processing Station Salt Lake City, Utah, Oct. 24, 2022. MEPS processes applicants for military service, putting them through a variety of tests and examinations to ensure that they meet the standards required to serve in the United States Armed Forces. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Lydia Gordon)

Military recruiting test sites re-open after DOGE-driven cuts Military recruiting test sites re-open after DOGE-driven cuts

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Mar 17, 2025

We showed the U.S. Marine Corps' latest recruiting ad, "Made For This" to a bunch of teenagers.

We showed the new Marine Corps recruiting ad to some teenagers. Here’s what they thought of it. We showed the new Marine Corps recruiting ad to some teenagers. Here’s what they thought of it.

Posted on Nov 19, 2024

The tower of power includes the special forces, ranger, and airborne tabs.

A comprehensive guide to the shoulder tabs Army soldiers wear on their uniforms A comprehensive guide to the shoulder tabs Army soldiers wear on their uniforms

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Sep 13, 2024

U.S. Army Ranger assigned to 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.

MARSOC, Navy SEALs, and Army Rangers: SOF by the numbers MARSOC, Navy SEALs, and Army Rangers: SOF by the numbers

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Dec 20, 2023

jump army commercial

A new Army TV ad ‘Jumps’ into recruiting — and more might be on the way A new Army TV ad ‘Jumps’ into recruiting — and more might be on the way

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Nov 7, 2023

A sailor is pinned with the rank of chief petty officer by his mentor during a ceremony.

How rank and rate works in the Navy How rank and rate works in the Navy

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Oct 20, 2023

Army wants one-third of future recruits to be college grads

Army wants one-third of future recruits to be college grads Army wants one-third of future recruits to be college grads

By Patty Nieberg

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

marine recruit gen z

Marine officer proposes fix for Gen Z recruiting crisis in new book Marine officer proposes fix for Gen Z recruiting crisis in new book

By Joshua Skovlund

Posted on Aug 29, 2023

Christine Wormuth

Army secretary concerned ‘woke military’ criticism could hurt the service Army secretary concerned ‘woke military’ criticism could hurt the service

By Jeff Schogol

Posted on Jun 14, 2023

Why being a Marine is more of a bonus than actual money Why being a Marine is more of a bonus than actual money

Posted on Feb 15, 2023

The Army is bringing the ‘Be All You Can Be’ slogan back

The Army is bringing the ‘Be All You Can Be’ slogan back The Army is bringing the ‘Be All You Can Be’ slogan back

By Max Hauptman

Posted on Dec 2, 2022

military veterans misconceptions

What Americans are getting wrong about veterans What Americans are getting wrong about veterans

By Haley Britzky

Posted on Nov 11, 2022

The Army Reserve chief wants leaders to stop wasting soldiers’ drill time on paperwork

The Army Reserve chief wants leaders to stop wasting soldiers’ drill time on paperwork The Army Reserve chief wants leaders to stop wasting soldiers’ drill time on paperwork

By Haley Britzky

Posted on Nov 10, 2022

Netflix documentary shows Vanessa Guillén’s family’s fight for answers in the wake of her murder

Netflix documentary shows Vanessa Guillén’s family’s fight for answers in the wake of her murder Netflix documentary shows Vanessa Guillén’s family’s fight for answers in the wake of her murder

By Haley Britzky

Posted on Nov 4, 2022

The Army screwed over soldiers in an enlistment bonus fraud investigation. Now it’s trying to fix it

The Army screwed over soldiers in an enlistment bonus fraud investigation. Now it’s trying to fix it The Army screwed over soldiers in an enlistment bonus fraud investigation. Now it’s trying to fix it

By Haley Britzky

Posted on Nov 3, 2022