Depends on what he sign on as....the different scenarios I can
think of is...
Specialist (Sergeant and then slowly promote to Warrant
officer)
A professional career, very demanding job.
Officer
Equally demanding, longer hours than specialists, but higher
prospects, higher pay, highly respected.
Special Forces
Elite people from SOF (Special Operations Force) or NDU (Naval
Diving Unit), these are highly trained "professional killers" in a
way, with even higher pay, prestige, but much more dangerous
job.
Specialists can crossover to officers midway, its possible, though
rare.
Time - The Sacrifice
A military person is under orders, when order comes, he cannot
discuss and see whether he should obey - he has to follow. His
schedule and time is at the mercy of his higher superiors - even if
he is an officer.
Normal days is like normal office hours outside, 5-day work week,
except some Saturdays got to join whole unit for outdoor
running.
Sometimes may have to go a few days of continuous training, etc,
which you may not be able to see or contact him.
Whenever sent overseas for training, can be min 2 weeks to 2 months
overseas, with few chances to contact.
The Reward
If he's an officer, you can look forward to a military wedding,
with all his fellow officer friends all dressed in white and
drawing their ceremonial swords on your wedding day.
His pay will also be very stable and good, if he's an officer,
confirm you can buy condo by the time he reach 35. and he can
definitely buy a good car within 2nd year of service.
At end-of-contract and retirement, he also gets a lumpsum which is
quite handsome.
Danger
Training and operations is relatively safe with alot of safeguards
and systems. There're also comprehensive insurance schemes, just in
case something really happens. He'll be well taken care of.
