Teachers and Instructors
Background
The military provides training and educational opportunities for all personnel. Teachers and instructors conduct classes in such academic subjects as engineering, physical science, social science, and nursing. Teachers and instructors teach military personnel subjects that are related to their military careers.
What They Do
Teachers and instructors in the military perform some or all of the following duties:
- Conduct laboratory exercises and seminars
- Deliver lectures
- Develop course content, training outlines, and lesson plans
- Diagnose individual learning difficulties and offer help
- Give tests and evaluate student progress
- Prepare training aids, assignments, and demonstrations
Physical Demands
No information available.
Special Requirements
A four-year college degree is normally required to enter this career. Some specialties require a master's degree.
Helpful Attributes
Helpful attributes include:
- Ability to express ideas clearly and concisely
- Interest in teaching
- Preference for working closely with people
Helpful School Subjects
No information available.
Helpful Fields of Study
No information available.
Work Environment
Teachers and instructors usually work in classrooms and lecture halls.
Services offering this career:
- Air Force
- Army
- Marine Corps
- Navy
Hiring Practices
To serve in the military, a person must be at least 17; the maximum age for enlistment varies. To enlist, a person must pass a physical exam and an aptitude test. An enlistee must also meet military standards of discipline and be a US citizen or permanent resident alien.
This position is for officers.
Wages
The military is competitive with the civilian world when it comes to pay and benefits. All branches offer the same basic pay and benefits.
Pay depends mainly on rank or grade as well as length of service. Bonuses and the situation in which the person is serving (for example: flight duty, sea duty, hazardous duty) also affect pay.
Cost-of-living increases usually occur every year, based on inflation. The military also pays allowances for food, clothing, and housing. All these factors combined are called Regular Military Compensation (RMC). They should all be considered when comparing military pay to civilian pay.
There are two main parts to RMC: basic pay and allowances. There are also additional incentives for special abilities, training, or hazardous duty.
Check out the RMC Calculator to calculate your RMC based on your inputs.
Training Provided
No initial job training is provided to officers in this career.
Civilian Counterparts
Civilian teachers and instructors work in junior colleges, colleges, and universities. They perform duties similar to those performed in the military. They may teach several different courses within the same field of study.
Related Civilian Careers
Employment and Outlook
In peace time the services have about 4,000 officers working as teachers or instructors. In times of military action the number may be different, depending on the type of specialties required. These workers are usually selected from officers trained and working in a military career. Since some officers return to their regular careers after teaching, the services need new teachers and instructors each year. Eventually, teachers may become tenured professors at the service academies or other military colleges or managers of education programs.