Pros
-Illinois does not tax military pay
-Federal benefits cover education and credentialing programs immediately upon joining
-State benefits cover 100% of tuition after one year of service
-Why work full-time to pay off student loans when you can serve part-time (Army or Air National Guard) and graduate debt-free?
-Students who score 50+ on the ASVAB can receive an additional ~$700–$800 per month, which can help cover housing costs while in school
-When accounting for all benefits (monthly education stipend, tuition waivers, and non-taxed drill pay), $24.25/hour as an E-4 effectively translates to ~$60–$100 per hour
-Military discounts add meaningful value, My favorites include 10% off at Raising Cane’s and Lowe’s, plus no sales tax and an additional 10% off at Home Depot which helped me save hundreds on home appliances.
Cons
-Have to attend Basic Combat Training and AIT (Builds character and makes lifetime memories)
-Will most likely be sent to be stationed overseas at some point for a couple months.
