For many young people weighing the pros and cons of joining the military, the details of what their lives would be like in uniform are often a mystery. How tough is boot camp really? How much freedom would I have? What is the fine print for pay and veterans benefits? This unique guide provides a mix of factual information and practical advice from the author of a half-dozen books that translate military-ese into simple English. Students, parents, and counselors can use this helpful guide to make informed decisions about whether or not military life is right for them. Delivered in a friendly style by Budahn, who draws upon 30 years' experience writing about the military for civilian publications, this volume looks at four different phases of the journey from civilian society into the military: making the decision to join, boot camp and the first years in uniform, the military as a long-term job, and veteran's benefits. Factual details, practical advice, stories from young people now on active duty, and even humor are sprinkled throughout its pages. Future service members will learn how the recruitment process works, what boot camp basics are, what the rules of the military are, what types of benefits to expect as a veteran, as well as a wealth of other details concerning this unique career choice. Such information as military pay, military abbreviations and acronyms, and major medals awarded is also included. Students, parents, and counselors can use this helpful guide to make informed decisions about whether or not military life is right for them.