The United States is a global power. The Army, Air force, Navy and the Marines are the projections of this US power. Thus man power requirements for this massive force are of paramount importance. To attract recruits the US armed forces has multiple perks and incentives. One of these is education. It should not be forgotten that the American armed forces constitutes a significant number of Americans and at any given time we have almost a million and half men in fatigues.The US Army and Navy were constituted by a federal act passed by the US Congress in 1776.About one hundred and fifty years later in 1947 to be precise the US Air force and Coast Guard was created. A fact not known to many is that the US Air force operated as an adjunct of the US Army during World War II.The United States Armed Forces in their endeavor to attract talent across the country have made available many facilities to their personnel like special education loans .They provide money for school and education. One can access Military.com and get access to the latest information.Congress has backed the US Armed forces to treat education for their personnel as very important welfare measure. Education for Armed Forces personnel is not a present day phenomena but has its roots way back to the Service members Readjustment Act 1944. Franklin D Roosevelt has the distinction of signing this act into law during his last tenure as President.Another popular name for this law is GI bill of rights. In 1984 significant improvements were made in this bill on the initiative of Senator Gillespie V. “Sonny” Montgomery of Mississippi. As a token of recognition of his work this bill, this bill is also referred to as “Montgomery GI Bill.” American servicemen in large numbers have been the beneficiaries of this bill.The Montgomery GI Bill has an important proviso in that all recruits are provided a cash incentive on joining the Armed Forces for their education. This is applicable to all forces that are part of the United States war machine. The MGIB is the vanguard under whose aegis service men can obtain degrees and technical diplomas from colleges and technical schools including Correspondence courses.However this incentive is only available to personnel who are on the active duty list or have obtained an honorable discharge. Personnel who have been court-marshaled, cashiered or dismissed from service for any offense are not eligible for this benefit. However one must be aware that there is a stipulation in the Montgomery GI bill that recruits must give their agreement for a deduction of $100 every month from their pay.In addition the Armed Forces from their own allocated budget which is approved by Congress also set aside funds under the Veterans Educational Assistance program (VEAP). In addition the armed forces also have another incentive in the form the Student Loan Repayment Program (SLRP).This makes joining the Army and allied services more attractive for civilians. Under this program citizens receive up to $65,000 for qualified educational loans if they enlist. Reservists receive a lesser amount of $ 20,000. However SLRP must be requested by the recruit at the time of his joining the concerned force. However defaulters are not eligible.This is not the end as there are further incentives for a recruit who opts for a career in the US armed forces. This is in the form of the Armed Forces Tuition Program. Enlisted personnel of the Armed forces have a chance to enroll for courses at accredited colleges and universities. However this incentive has a ceiling of $4500 for a course in a year and a $250 per credit hour.The Armed Forces including the Marine Corps also have some more incentives up their sleeve. This is in addition to what is provided under MGIB. The Services Vocational aptitude battery test is the vehicle for these funds. The requirement is to not only get a good grade, but the recruit must give his option to serve for another six years in the service he already is. These funds are to the tune of $70,000 for the Army and $50,000 for the Navy.In addition the armed forces also give the benefit of community College courses. The Air Force has a two year course and other arms also have similar courses. Degrees to enlisted personnel are awarded in scientific and technical fields. These courses are subsidized to the tune of 100 % and degrees are awarded in all fields including technical.Finally we have the service academies .Entry to them is through a competition. These academies conduct a four year training program which is free of cost. Entrants are termed as cadets and on graduation have an entry into the Officer cadre of the Armed forces. Joining the Army or Air Force would lead to a rank of second lieutenant and ensign for the Navy.Armed Forces academy for the US Army is at West Point. The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland and the Air Force academy at Colorado Springs. The Coast guard academy is located at New London, Connecticut.With all these educational benefits it’s certainly a wonderful idea to join the armed forces. Why not get yourself educated as well as serve the nation?