Army Tips

Number of Soldiers in a Platoon and Troop

The number of soldiers in a platoon varies, but is typically 30 to 40 soldiers. There are usually between three to six platoons per troop.

A platoon is the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer and is typically commanded by a lieutenant assisted by a non-commissioned officer.

A platoon is made up of at least two squads and is smaller than a troop. There are eight to 12 soldiers, sometimes as many as 14, in a squad. A squad covers about 100 meters in open terrain when attacking, and can effectively defend 100 to 200 meters.

Army Enlisting Benefits

The Army offers many benefits for enlisting including:

- Money to further your education (tuition assistance) or pay off existing student loans.
- Opportunities to attend classes including the Concurrent Admissions Program (CONAP) and eArmyU.
- Comprehensive healthcare.
- Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI).
- 30 vacation days a year.
- Relocation assistance services.
- Money management services.
- Family advocacy services.
- Legal assistance services.
- Childcare and other child and youth services.
- Help in job placement after your tour of duty is complete.
- Retirement savings plan.

To learn more about Army benefits, visit: http://www.goarmy.com/benefits/index.jsp.

South Korea Duty

An Army tour of duty in South Korea can be challenging, but also rewarding if you go in with the right attitude. South Korea has many fascinating cultural attractions, including temples, Korean War memorials, the Demilitarized Zone, and much more.

If you serve in the Army in South Korea you may be subject to curfews, restrictions on movement, and other hardships based on the proximity of your duty station to the border with North Korea. Additionally, there are very frequent military exercises and war games, as often as once a month in some locations. You will be required to wear a chem suit, gas mask, and other protective gear for extended periods of time during these Army exercises.

The most important thing you can do to make the most of a tour in South Korea is to get a hobby, start your higher education, and communicate regularly with friends and family back home via the internet. One of the most important purchases you can make before going to South Korea is a laptop computer with a wireless connection. Most military bases are equipped with facilities for free wi-fi connections, and you will feel much more connected to home with a laptop at your side whenever you need it.

For long distance phone calls, there are a good selection of pre-paid calling cards made in Korea and sold on base that give very reasonable rates for stateside calling. You will become very familiar with these cards in your first weeks in country, and will most likely be given one free card as part of your in-processing.

Army life in South Korea can indeed be a challenge, but it is much easier to overcome with the right tools, an education plan, and regular calls home.

Documents You'll Need

You'll need certain documents not only for your recruiter when you first start the enlistment process, but also at various points along the way after.
Make sure you have these available to avoid a hassle:

* Birth certificate or other proof of citizenship and
date of birth.
* Valid Social Security card or two other pieces of
Social Security Identification.
* H.S. diploma or GED certificate.
* Letter or transcript documenting your midterm
from high school, if applicable.
* College transcript, if applicable, showing credits
earned.
* Parental or guardian consent form if you are under
18 years old.
* Doctor's letter if you have, or have a history of,
special medical conditions.
* Marriage certificate, if applicable.
* Divorce papers, if applicable.

Montgomery GI Bill

What is the Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty ?
The Montgomery GI Bill - Active Duty, called "MGIB" for short, provides up to 36 months of education benefits to eligible veterans for:

College, Business
Technical or Vocational Courses
Correspondence Courses
Apprenticeship/Job Training
Flight Training
Who is Eligible ?
You may be an eligible veteran if you got an Honorable Discharge, AND you have a High School Diploma or GED or, in some cases 12 hours of college credit. For more information call 1-888-GI-BILL-1.