With these jobs come many great benefits. Army civilians are DoD, Department of Defense, employees and have all the benefits of working for the federal government. Veterans, disabled veterans and military spouses are given preference when applying for the positions. Veterans are able to transfer their time in service to the Army civilian job, which is a benefit itself.

Comprehensive health and life insurance is available. Health insurance is a concern for everyone. It is a benefit that many consider before accepting a job. Army civilians are offered some of the best insurance available for the price. This also applies to dental and vision insurance as well as life insurance. While it may not be the same as those on active duty receive it is one of the best plans available.

Retirement benefits are another thing that many consider. Most Army civilians are eligible for FERS, Federal Employees Retirement System. It is three tiers and includes a basic benefit plan, a thrift savings plan and Social security benefits. The Thrift Savings Plan is similar to a 401K. Up to 13% of earnings can be contributed with up to a 5% matching contribution from the Army.

The pay is competitive with many incentives. There is paid vacation and sick leave. Paid training and education as it applies to the position may be available. There are incentives, bonuses and awards that are also available dependent on the job and performance. Across the board there are annual pay increases and locality adjustments.

There are many other benefits as well as pay, insurance and retirement. When working on an Army base many civilian employees can use the facilities that are available. This includes onsite day care and fitness facilities. Some may be approved for commissary and exchange privileges.

Army civilian jobs are available anywhere the solider serve. This includes various locations in the United States as well as abroad. For those who wish to travel and live abroad there are opportunities available. Those who are willing to take civilian jobs overseas will see special incentives and benefits. This may include living stipends or housing amongst various other benefits.

There is also the benefit of advancements. Once an Army civilian job is secured an employee can look forward to working their way up the ladder. There are opportunities for increased responsibility and management potential to those who show initiative.

Army civilian benefits are only part of the reason to secure employment with the Army. The Army depends on their support staff. They play a key role in the military mission. Without the Army civilian support staff much of what the Army does would not be accomplished. Army civilians can take great pride in that. Click here to learn more about Army tuition assistance.

Post by our guest writer.

Created after Congress closed the U.S. Armed Forces Institute in 1974, DANTES is dedicated to helping members of every branch achieve their professional and personal educational objectives.

Over the past three decades, voluntary education for the military has experienced many changes.  As technology continues to advance, service members are enjoying the convenience, accessibility and ease of use as they pursue their educational objectives.  In fact, since the mid 1970s, the number of military service members taking online courses has increased from five percent to more than 70 percent.

By providing alternatives to on-campus or on-base courses, DANTES’ Distance Learning Program enables service members to earn technical or college credit from wherever they are stationed… even in the most remote locations.  DANTES partners with hundreds of distance learning institutions to offer thousands of course and degree programs, all of which are listed in their catalog.

Through DANTES’ examinations program, members of the military can earn a high school credential, satisfy their undergraduate and graduate-level college admission requirement, and earn college credit.  Some of the titles offered are GED, ACT, SAT, CLEP, DSST, ECE, GRE, GMAT and Praxis.  Exams sponsored by DANTES are administered by over 500 military education sites, including base-sponsored academic institutions with national test centers (NTCs).  While many of the test control officers continue to give paper exams, the number of NTCs offering computer-based exams continues to increase.

DANTES has long offered credentialing services to members of the Armed Forces.  By successfully completing these tests, a soldier demonstrates that he or she possesses a level of knowledge that not only meets industry standards, but also makes it easier to find employment in the civilian job force when service is complete.

Also available are programs to help convert one’s military training into college credit.  Since 1945, the American Council on Education (ACE) has provided a shared link between DoD and higher education through the review of military training and experiences and the recommendation of equivalent college credits for service members.

DANTES also funds the Service members Opportunities College (SOC) consortium which runs a variety of programs that afford service members opportunities to earn degrees while in the service, enroll in a college while enlisted in the Army or Army Reserve, and earn credits and degrees while in the Army National Guard.  Since it’s founding in 1974, the SOC consortium has grown from 77 community and junior colleges to more than 1,800 colleges and universities.

Finally, DANTES’ Troops to Teachers program provides counseling and referral services to military personnel interested in launching a second career in public education as a teacher after departing the service.  The program has successfully placed thousands of quality teachers in at-risk schools across the country.

DANTES will be celebrating its 35th anniversary at the DoD Worldwide Education Symposium in Atlanta at the end of July.

For the latest information concerning Military education benefits and procedures, please visit your education counseling office.