More Oklahomans Take A Serious Look At The Military For A Career

By Jamie McGriff, The News On 6

TULSA, OKLAHOMA -- The economy is causing a lot more people to look at their professional options. Some are now taking a second and serious look at joining a branch of the military.

But before you do, there are a couple things you should keep in mind.

For starters it's getting more competitive across the board. Don't think that you're the only person walking through a military recruitment office doors looking to sign up.

I'm told it may not be an automatic yes. There's a lot of competition these days. That's because there's a process to join.

First, you have to take a special test that's required to join any branch of the military.

Then, there's a physical.

But now, many recruits are coming in with some form of higher education.

I checked with the U.S. Air Force recruiting office in Tulsa and found out people are turning to them to find a way to weather the economy and find a job.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Aaron Wessin says it varies.

For starters many of people who sign up are coming right out of high school or have 15 college credit hours or more.

"So since we're dealing with the ages of 17 to 27 a lot of the people we deal with are fresh out of high school and they don't have families. And the ones that do have families that are in that middle area those are the ones that are coming in for money and job security. That's what we usually deal with," said U.S. Air Force Tech Sgt. Aaron Wessin.

For other people who have a GED and want to join the military it could be a little harder to join.

You're required to take a special test called the ASVAB which stands for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.

To be competitive Technical Sergeant Aaron Wessin says you have to score a 50 or higher to be competitive.

The more education you have the better.