Opportunities for students to explore military career options
Greater Gainesville students have more educational opportunities now than ever before. None are more worthy of consideration than the programs offered through the United States military. In honor of this Veterans Day, check out some of those opportunities and what makes them unique.
Unlimited options
There are many career paths within the six different branches of the military, including those in the U.S. Army. Like the others, the Army uses the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Career Exploration Program (CEP) to help students discover their career options.
“The ASVAB CEP offers students a chance to explore all paths to careers – college, certifications, apprenticeships, licensure programs and the military – in one place,” said Dr. Synthia C. Dix, education service specialist for the Jacksonville Florida Recruiting Battalion.
Dix said that after students take the ASVAB, they can attend a guided session to hear about their scores. They also complete activities to understand work-related interests and values and learn more about potential careers.
Some of the top careers in the U.S. Army are those in cyber operations, supply logistics and the infantry, as well as criminal investigation agents, technical engineers and mechanics.
“Participation in the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) is always voluntary,” said Dix. “The ASVAB test for students is administered at the school or testing site upon written request by the school testing coordinator to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Education Specialist.”
It is also given at community colleges, job corps centers and correctional facilities.
All students in 10th grade and above are encouraged to participate in the program.
Another resource for students is www.CareersInTheMilitary.com.
Dix said the website allows them to discover extensive details about military career opportunities across all service branches, as well as their service-specific ASVAB line scores. They can also contact a recruiter from any branch of the military.
What exactly is the ASVAB?
Used by all the branches of the military, the ASVAB is an aptitude test. It measures a young adult’s strengths and potential success in military training as well as the abilities they have developed.
It also provides those who take it with an Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score.
Dix said the AFQT is a combination of mathematics knowledge, arithmetic reasoning, paragraph comprehension and vocabulary skills. It is used by the military to determine enlistment eligibility and specific job eligibility.
“Students gain access to career planning tools when they receive their ASVAB scores,” she added. “Career exploration is an ongoing process. Students consider their options, set goals and make career plans using ASVAB CEP tools.”
For more information, go to: https://www.asvabprogram.com/.
