The Military Experience: How it Can Impact Your Future

by Steven J. Crane

JOINING THE MILITARY COULD BE THE ANSWER YOU ARE LOOKING FOR...
Many young adults today are struggling with their future and what it should or could look like.
Are you struggling with decisions like going to college or working full time?
In The Military How It Can Impact Your Future, author Steven J. Crane shares his struggles pertaining to a career path, as a young adult.
The decision by Crane to join the military was one of the BEST decisions of his life! Could it be the right choice for YOU?
The book takes the reader through the process of joining the military, the differences between the branches, what to expect in basic training, what to expect at your duty station, experiences of military deployment, military benefits you would receive, as well as potential cons of joining.
Crane explains the benefits one can gain from joining the military are substantial , guaranteed pay and potential bonuses, free housing, free medical and dental care, paid vacation, college tuition benefits, travel opportunities and advanced training options.
By enlisting in the military, recruits over time will learn valuable skills and develop personal traits that are transferable to the civilian world, benefitting them regardless of what future path they choose. Some of the skills and traits the author refers to communication skills, teamwork, problem solving, conflict resolution, management, integrity, and adaptability.
The author has spent twenty-five years in the banking industry with many of those years in senior management. He strongly believes his success is a direct result of the training he received as a young airman in the United States Air Force.
As Crane addresses in the book, the military is not an easy path to take. However, the benefits and traits you can learn far outweigh the challenges one might experience.
If you are a young adult struggling with making a decision what path to take after high school, this book is a quick read providing information on a suitable option. Some people think college is their answer, yet the author shows how the military was his best option and how it continues today to benefit him in many ways. The education and experience one can experience in the military is invaluable .

97 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2023

About the author

Steven J. Crane serves as president and CEO of a community bank located in the Midwest. He has over twenty-five years' experience in the banking industry, with expertise in commercial banking and senior management. He has written two books-"The Military Experience: How it Can Impact your Future," and "The Pathway To A Career in Commercial Lending." He enjoys writing and reading in his spare time.

Reviews

[Marjory Christian]

Passed it on to a group of younger people. I havw one about ready t0 retire and one that is ready to retire

[John McBrearty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I must admit, part of the motivation for me to purchase and read this book was self-serving. I recently completed my autobiography, My Military Life, and was curious to see how another author approached the subject of how the military can impact one’s life. This is somewhat the thesis of my autobiography.

I also like to see what other veterans are writing about. I must say that I was never disappointed with Steven’s book, “The Military Experience.”

I was also drawn to the simplicity of the publication. Often it is said that an author’s book is a direct reflection of their personality. I bet that Steven J. Crane is probably a hard-working, humble gentleman. His publication is simple, yet quite informative. This type of book did not exist when Steven and I enlisted into the Armed Forces. Believe me, we could have used a book like this back then.

Now for the specifics about the book. Authors often overlook the importance of the Table of Contents. Steven’s Contents spells out the subjects of the book quite nicely. What you see is what you get. Not enough thought goes into Contents in my opinion but not with this book. I knew from glancing over the Contents that this guy knew his stuff and I looked forward to venturing down the road of “How the Military can Impact Your Future.” Yes for many veterans you are going to know a lot of this stuff, but for the intended audience, High School age youth, this hits the mark! Informative would be the best adjective that I can come up with for Steven’s book. I sometimes give lectures to younger folks about my books and my military life, I will ensure that I keep a copy of Steven’s book with me and recommend it to prospective patriots.

Great effort Steven. Looking forward to your next masterpiece! John McBrearty

[Kiersten · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am so glad I was able to read this book. I work with teens and young adults and have had many of them look into careers in the military. I am glad I was able to read this book and can use it as material to help not only the person, but their family with understanding the process they will be going through. The information was clear, understandable and easy to digest. An excellent starting point for anyone seriously interested in joining the military. I would like to thank the Author and Goodreads for the opportunity to read this book and share it as a resource to the community I work with.

[Elise · Rating 4 out of 5]

My son is a sophomore in highschool and has debated on if he should enlist in the military.
This book is very detailed and i appreciate the author for the details involved in enlisting.
My son's girlfriend is in the Navy and she's doing well but she felt like she was lied to.
If anyone, you, a family member, and or friends are considering enlisting please do your research beforehand.

[Jenni Stein · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a disabled veteran's wife, I do believe the military can be a great option for the right person. I loved the insight I gained into certain things I didn't have as much knowledge on.

Although, I enjoyed the book overall I think the cons were greatly downplayed.

Depression and anxiety were briefly mentioned, how many choose not to be treated for some time and effects but other potential injuries and traumas were not addressed or seemed to be skipped over. My husband was injured on the job walks with a limp and will need back and knee surgery at some point. Although healthcare is covered for him, it can take long periods of time to get him appointments or for the VA to address issues he faces.

I feel like this really came across as a recruiting handbook for how great it is to join but didn't showcase as much of the not so rosy aspects as someone thinking to join might need and when they were mentioned were briefed over with no further insight or details.

[Jill Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading and learned a lot about the process of joining the military. I have a son looking at joining the USAF and I know have a been understanding. The author does a good job of explaining how the skills he learned while serving in the military have benefitted him in the civilian world.

[Jen Tate · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know a young adult interested in the military, I highly recommend this book. I am a secondary teacher and also the wife of a retired Marine. This book is thorough, yet easy to understand. The author breaks down basic questions and answers them while including his own experiences to help guide young people who are interested in the military. I have passed it on to my daughter's boyfriend and then plan to share it with the media specialist at the high school where I teach.

[Cassandra Corrigan · Rating 1 out of 5]

While the author does a good job of going into the process of enlistment and making the information presented her clear and understandable, I can't in good conscience give a high rating because many of the negative aspects of military service are either downplayed or not mentioned altogether. If we want to ethically guide youth into the armed services, they need to have all the facts, not just the ones that benefit recruiters.

[Tanya Dreke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the author, publisher, and Goodreads for the paperback copy. This was a quick read that I thoroughly enjoyed. I highly recommend this book to parents and teenagers who are looking for alternatives to college.

[Scott Carlson · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book was very insightful for me. I have a son who is considering joining the military and the author’s experience helped me understand the process and benefits as well as some of the challenges.

[sophie · Rating 1 out of 5]

girl WHAT. everyone involved in this is going directly to hell do not pass go