These Military Jobs Will Pay You $10,000 or More Just For Enlisting

But you can certainly prepare and do some research in advance to figure out what you might be eligible for.

Here are 15 military jobs that pay more than $10,000 just to enlist:

Air Rescue Swimmer

Bonus: $24,000

Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmers are more than your average lifeguards — they must be able to operate under extreme conditions, and rescue missions can involve everything from capsized ships to downed planes.

Other responsibilities can include delivering aid and supplies overseas, conducting surveillance and transporting troops and cargo. Candidates undergo almost two years of training before they report to their first squadron.

Along with the sizable bonus, the Navy says it can help pay off up to $65,000 of student loans, so you can cut back on your payments.

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Air and Missile Defense Crewmember

Bonus: Up to $21,000

AMDs are part of the Army’s air defense artillery team and operate advanced, surface-to-air weapons systems against cruise missiles, drones and other air and land threats.

Candidates are required to complete 10 weeks of basic training and another 10 weeks of Advanced Individual Training to learn about ammunition, artillery tactics and how to use the Avenger weapons system in various terrains.

The Avenger system — no relation to Marvel's superheroes — refers to a mobile gun/missile system that provides short-range defense.

Cryptologic Technician Interpretive

Bonus: $25,000

Navy CTIs are experts in linguistics, including Spanish, Arabic and Russian, and are in charge of deciphering and exploiting foreign communications and providing guidance on various cultures and regions to aid the military.

You could be working independently or as part of a small team, aboard aircraft and submarines or in offices and laboratories.

After passing recruit training, candidates will need to complete formal Navy schooling in their specialized area of cryptology. You won’t require a bachelor’s or associate’s degree to sign up, but you could use your intelligence training for college credit or get financial aid to pay off your tuition if you plan to continue your schooling.

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Infantryman jobs

Bonus: Up to $15,000

Being an Army infantryman and part of the ground forces is both physically and mentally demanding — you’ll learn how to capture and destroy enemy forces, assist with reconnaissance and train in weapons systems.

Enlisted members must complete basic military training, both in the classroom and on the field. As an infantryman, you can also potentially advance to join Special Forces or Airborne School.

Military Times says infantry vets looking for comparable civilian jobs could opt for joining a security detail, where the pay is around $200 to $600 a day.

Nuclear Operations

Bonus: Up to $40,000

If you work in the nuclear field, you’ll have to be prepared for hands-on work in an intensely fast-paced environment to keep Navy submarines and aircraft up and running. Your duties could involve operating nuclear machinery or maintaining weapons systems.

Enlisted sailors must complete recruit training, report to Navy school for technical training and then receive advanced nuclear training in their particular field.

And on top of receiving as much as $40,000 as a first-time enlistment bonus, you could also receive up to $100,000 if you choose to re-enlist later.

Fire Control Specialist

Bonus: Up to $12,000

An Army Fire Control Specialist doesn’t douse flames but coordinates weapons operations for missions and processes tactical battlefield information from various networks through computers and databases.

Candidates will undergo 10 weeks of basic training and seven weeks of Advanced Individual Training, which involves artillery tactics and how to compute target locations and operate weapons systems.

Similar careers outside the military can include computer programmer or telecommunications specialist. You may require higher education, but, luckily, eligible students can earn full-tuition scholarships from the Army.

Special Warfare Boat Operator

Bonus: $18,000

These Navy members operate around the world in jungles, deserts and even the Arctic, and they play roles in special reconnaissance and warfare missions.

They might collect intelligence and perform raids against enemy shipping, operate small boats, communications and ordnance systems, and work in small units or coordinate with the U.S. Special Forces and Navy.

To qualify, you’ll need to be younger than 31, pass medical and physical screenings, attend school for crewman training and obtain secret security clearance.

Psychological Operations Specialist

Bonus: Up to $30,000

These Army professionals in persuasion evaluate and develop information to influence and engage particular audiences, broadcast important information and assist national and foreign governments, militaries and civilian populations.

A PsyOp Specialist must complete 20 weeks of One Station Unit Training, which includes Airborne Training, a 10-day Psychological Operations Specialist Assessment and Selection program and a Psychological Operations Specialist Qualification Course. You’ll also need to obtain secret security clearance.

The skills you obtain in this field can help prepare you for careers in the civilian world, from public relations to anthropology.

Hospital Corpsman

Bonus: $18,000

Hospital corpsmen are part of the Navy’s medical team. They perform emergency medical and dental treatment — particularly after military personnel are injured in the field — as well as administer medications and immunizations and serve as technicians during surgery.

After attending boot camp, you’ll report to Fort Sam Houston in Texas for training in patient care and first-aid procedures. Then you will gain further skills, such as in radiology and surgery, while on the job.

Serving in the Navy in a medical capacity is a great way to begin a career in health care later in the civilian world — the average American physician earns more than $200,000 a year, according to US News.

Special Forces Candidate

Bonus: Up to $40,000

It’s an honor just to be considered for one of these elite special units.

The four entry-level specialties include weapons, engineer, medical and specialty sergeants, but the Army will ultimately decide which category you advance to based on your background, aptitude and Army needs.

You’ll need to complete Infantry One Station Unit Training and Airborne Training, a Special Forces Preparation Course and the Special Forces Assessment and Selection program before receiving training in development and application of individual skills and language and culture.

You’ll also attend Military Freefall School to certify as a parachutist.

Explosive Ordnance Disposal Specialist

Bonus: $28,000

Navy EODs receive a pretty tidy bonus just for enlisting — but for good reason. Their jobs are incredibly dangerous, as they’re responsible for the safe handling and disposal of biological, chemical and nuclear weapons.

You could be tasked with supporting other Special Operations and Special Warfare units, assisting with security at international events and even helping to protect the president and other dignitaries.

The training is rigorous. You’ll need to complete two months of recruit training at Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois, before three weeks of preparatory training, nine weeks of diver training and 42 weeks at EOD school.

Human Intelligence Collector Recruit

Bonus: Up to $40,000

If you’ve got great interpersonal skills and are fluent in several languages, this could be the Army job for you.

Human Intelligence Collectors do exactly what the name suggests — they collect intelligence about enemy strengths and weaknesses, debrief and interrogate intelligence resources and share information to assist Army leaders.

Candidates must complete 10 weeks of basic training and 20 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, which also involves language training at the Defense Language Institute.

A comparable civilian job would be an operations research analyst, but you’ll require higher education for that.

Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer

Bonus: Up to $24,000

This position involves installing, operating and maintaining satellite equipment and systems to keep the Army updated and informed.

A Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer receives hands-on training in inspection, troubleshooting and preventive maintenance, with 10 weeks of basic training and 18 weeks of Advanced Individual Training.

This work is crucial for collecting intelligence and intercepting communications, so you’ll need to obtain secret security clearance from the Department of Defense. To pass the check, your personal finances will be investigated and assessed, so make sure you get your credit up to par beforehand.

Microwave Systems Operator-Maintainer

Bonus: Up to $21,000

Microwave systems aren't what most civilians think — rather than heating up cold leftovers, they are important communication tools. And as an Army operator-maintainer, it’s your responsibility to keep them up and running.

You’ll need to install, operate and maintain these systems and work with antennas, circuits and other communications equipment. The requirements include 10 weeks of basic training and 11 weeks of Advanced Individual Training, both in the classroom and on the field.

The skills you acquire could also prepare you for a civilian job in communications or electronic equipment once you leave service.

Petroleum Supply Specialist

Bonus: Up to $12,000

While this job doesn’t entail fighting enemy forces or gathering intelligence, you can still make a pretty decent bonus from enlisting as a petroleum supply specialist.

These members manage the storage and supply of petroleum-based products for vehicles and aircraft. You’ll learn safety regulations and procedures as well as how to refuel systems and equipment and perform quality assurance.

Unlike your typical gas station attendant, you’ll require 10 weeks of basic training and 11 weeks of Advanced Individual Training. You will also learn how to handle fuel in a fire and how to transport it in combat situations.