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Five Things You’ll Love About the Army

What’s up, my friends? Welcome back for another article. U.S. Army veteran Christopher Chaos here.

In my previous article I covered five things you might hate about the Army, but not everything sucks about military life. There are also some great things, so let’s go over five things that you will love about the Army—potentially.

Now, this list isn’t set in stone. You might love more than five things or less than five things—it really depends on your personal experience.

Table of Contents show

1. Flexible Work Hours (Sometimes)

While long hours can be one of the worst parts of Army life, there are also days where there’s not much to do—and when that happens, you might get sent home early.

✅ Same pay whether you work 1 hour or 20 hours
✅ Unexpected half-days or full days off
✅ More downtime depending on your MOS and unit

There were times I remember showing up to work and there wasn’t really anything going on. Maybe it was a Friday, and they’d just say:

“Rather than you guys just standing around, go chill in your barracks room. Just have your phones available in case we need you.”

💡 Married soldiers might get sent home, while single soldiers often hung out in the barracks, played video games, or relaxed.

Now, don’t count on this happening all the time. It’s not something you can expect every week, but when it does happen, it’s definitely a perk.

2. Medical Benefits

One of the biggest advantages of being in the Army is the medical coverage.

✔ 100% free medical care if you get sick or injured
✔ Family members (spouses, children) are also covered
✔ No medical bills or insurance hassles

If you’re planning to start a family, the Army covers:

🍼 Prenatal care
🍼 Doctor visits
🍼 Labor and delivery costs

💡 I’ve known many soldiers who had multiple kids while in the Army and didn’t have to worry about expensive medical bills or high insurance premiums.

Other benefits include:

🔹 Free LASIK surgery for those who qualify
🔹 Routine checkups and procedures covered
🔹 Specialized treatments available on base

3. Military Benefits (Education, VA Loans, etc.)

The Army provides tons of benefits that extend beyond active duty, including education assistance and home-buying advantages.

Education Benefits

📚 Tuition Assistance – The Army pays for your college classes while you serve
📚 GI Bill – Covers college costs after you leave the Army
📚 Credentialing Assistance – Funds certifications and training programs

Some soldiers even take online classes while serving, allowing them to earn degrees without student loans.

VA Home Loans

🏡 Buy a home with zero down payment
🏡 Low-interest rates even with average credit
🏡 No private mortgage insurance (PMI) required

💡 Using the VA loan while in the Army can be tricky because you might get stationed somewhere else unexpectedly, but for those who use it after service, it’s an incredible advantage.

Other benefits include:

✔ Military discounts at stores, theme parks, and restaurants
✔ Low-interest rates on loans and credit cards
✔ Access to financial counseling and assistance programs

4. Unique Career and Leadership Experience

The experience you gain in the Army is often unmatched in the civilian world.

Hands-On Training

Unlike civilian jobs, where you need prior experience or a degree, the Army provides on-the-job training from day one.

🖥 IT Field – Civilians often need a degree and certifications before they can work in networking or cybersecurity, but in the Army, you get hands-on training immediately.
🛠 Mechanics & Engineering – Soldiers work directly on military vehicles, aircraft, and equipment without years of prior experience.
🕵️ Law Enforcement & Intelligence – The Army provides direct experience in military police, investigations, and security fields.

Leadership & Management Skills

The Army fast-tracks leadership roles compared to the civilian world.

💼 Promotions happen based on performance and time in service
💼 Soldiers can become leaders in just 4-5 years
💼 Leadership experience translates to civilian management roles

In civilian jobs, some people spend 10+ years in the same position waiting for a managerial role to open up. In the Army, if you’re motivated and meet requirements, you can advance quickly into leadership.

5. Vacation Time (30 Days of Leave Per Year!)

Unlike civilian jobs, where you earn vacation days slowly, the Army provides 30 days of paid leave per year from day one.

How Military Leave Works

✔ You earn 2.5 days of leave per month
✔ After one year, you have 30 full days of vacation
✔ More than most civilian jobs offer

Time in JobAverage Civilian Vacation DaysArmy Leave Days
1 Year10-15 days30 days
5 Years15-20 days150 days total
10+ Years20-25 days300+ days

💡 Most civilians have to wait years to get even 3 weeks of vacation, while the Army gives a full month every year.

However, weekends and holidays count toward leave, so if you take a full week off, you’re using 7 days of leave, not just 5.

Rare Cases of 30 Days Off

While it’s uncommon to take all 30 days at once, there are exceptions:

🏡 Soldiers stationed overseas (Korea, Germany, etc.) may get mid-tour leave for a month
👶 New fathers sometimes get 30 days off for paternity leave

Regardless, 30 days per year is a major perk compared to most civilian jobs.

Final Thoughts: Is the Army Worth It?

While the Army has its downsides, it also comes with some great perks, including:

✔ Unexpected flexible work hours
✔ Free medical care for you and your family
✔ Education and home-buying benefits
✔ Unmatched career and leadership experience
✔ 30 days of paid leave per year

If you’re currently in the Army or a veteran, what’s one thing you loved most about serving? Drop a comment below!

💡 For those considering joining, I’ve also covered things you might hate about the Army—so check out that video/article for the full picture.

Thanks for reading, and as always—I’m Christopher Chaos, and I’ll see you next time! 🎖️

George N.
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