DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a nephew who is dead set on joining the military. He has been talking about it for a few years, and it’s almost time to enlist. He believes that it is as easy as 1–2-3: He will apply, get in and go to basic training. I hope that’s true, but that is not what I have heard from people I know who are in the military. They tell me that the admission process is rigorous and that for various reasons, many people don’t get in. How can I help my nephew increase his chances of getting in and also be realistic? -- Join the Military
DEAR JOIN THE MILITARY: Encourage your nephew to do his research so he can figure out his path forward. There are five branches of the military and several ways in -- from becoming an enlisted soldier to going to a military academy. Everyone has to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, prove citizenship, have at least a GED and pass a physical. For an academy, enrollment is a rigorous process. Pay ranges broadly depending upon how one joins the military and the rank the person achieves. To learn more, go to: todaysmilitary.com/joining-eligibility/enlisting-military.