How to Get Started

1. Visit or call a local recruiter for the branch you're interested in (see contact info above).
2. Ask about job specialties and available benefits such as GI Bill, tuition assistance, leadership programs, etc.
3. Schedule the ASVAB test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)—this helps determine your eligibility and qualifications.

Why Join (Per Branch)?

While reasons often overlap—travel, training, leadership development, and benefits (like later college funding)—each branch also offers unique experiences:

Army – broad career opportunities, robust training programs, and GI Bill benefits.
Navy/Coast Guard – travel-focused assignments, specialized technical roles, and strong education support.
Air Force/Space Force – high-tech environments, aviation and cyber-focus, excellent tuition assistance.
Marines – leadership training, discipline, esprit de corps, with benefits for education.

Here’s a breakdown of branches and how to get started:
Recruiting Locations

U.S. Navy Recruiting Station
Address: 7751 New Falls Rd, Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: (215) 943-7194
Local Recruiter: NC1 Jorge Medina
jorge.m.medina.mil@us.navy.mil
215-943-7194
Local Recruiter: GM1 Dakota Swaringen
dakota.k.swaringen.mil@us.navy.mil
267-990-7140

To join the Navy or to learn more, click here.

U.S. Marine Corps Recruiting Station
Address: 7753 New Falls Rd, Levittown, PA 19055
Phone: (215) 945-3031
Local Recruiter: SSgt Cody Huyett
Cody.Huyett@marines.usmc.mil
484-542-0599

To join the Marines or to learn more, click here. 

U.S. Air Force Recruiting
Address: 7753 New Falls Rd, Levittown, PA 19055.
Phone for Levittown office: (609) 220-3547
Local Recruiter: TSgt Derek Brown
derek.brown.9@us.af.mil
609-220-3547

To join the Air Force or to learn more, click here. 

U.S. Army Recruiting Station – Langhorne
Address: 508 Oxford Valley Rd, Langhorne, PA 19047
Phone: (215) 757-0291

To join the Army or to learn more, click here. 

U.S. Coast Guard Recruiting – Philadelphia
Area: Franklin Mills Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19154
Phone: (215) 632-0568
Local Recruiter: Petty Officer Christopher Daniels
Christopher.M.Daniels@uscg.mil
215-632-0568

To join the Coast Guard or to learn more, click here. 

U.S. Space Force
No dedicated local recruiting location in area -  generally shares with Air Force channels.

To join the Space Force or to learn more, click here.

Jean Madeline

Full-Time - 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. at all locations. Can be completed in as little as 42 weeks.
3/4-Time - 9:45 A.M. - 2:45 P.M. at the Queen Village location only. Can be completed in as little as 50 weeks
Part-Time - 5 P.M. - 9:30 P.M. Tuesdays through Thursdays & Saturdays 9 A.M. - 4 P.M. This program is offered at our University City campus. Can be completed in as little as 63 weeks.
Financial aid is available to those who qualify and all courses are taught in English.

Program Specifics: 
We designed our program to be fully comprehensive. Students will have the opportunity to practice and perfect their skills while learning professional business building, retail knowledge, and more. Our curriculum is laid out in 3 levels of instruction, starting with foundational knowledge and moving up to advanced techniques. Curriculum covers:
• Professional Development
• Hair Cutting
• Hairstyling
• Hair Coloring
• Chemical Services
• Permanent Waves
• Salon Treatments
• Basic Skincare
• Nail Care
• Manicuring
• Pedicuring
• Salon Business
• State Laws and Regulations

Three Locations, including one in Bensalem.  
Website: jeanmadeline.edu/

Bucks County School of Beauty Culture

Family-owned since 1974, offering small class sizes and job placement assistance.
Programs include hairdressing, esthetics, and nail technology. 

Hairdressing One (HR1) is the first course! With a dedicated instructor, you will begin your training with hands on skills, while exploring the History of Cosmetology. Through lectures, classroom assignments and practical skill training, this is where it all begins! 
12 weeks full time days / 23 weeks part time evenings*
Maximum Time Frame = 360 hours
Satisfactory Academic Progress = 83.34% 
Minimum Graduation requirement = 300 hours 
One of the primary goals of Hairdressing One is to prepare a student to move forward into the next class with the primary skills needed in Hairdressing Two.

Primary skills include:  
• History and career opportunities
• Infection control (sterilization)
• Blow drying 
• Shampooing
• Scalp treatments
• Roller setting 
• Up-do's
• Braiding 
• Hair extensions
• Hair coloring
• Foiling & Dimensional Color
• Hi-lighting and Lo-lighting
• Ombre Techniques 
• Balyage techniques
• Color correction
• Perms and chemical texture services
• Shaping (scissor and razor cutting)
• Clipper Cutting
• Hair styling 
• Thermal curling and straightening 
• Keratin treatment 
• Facials 
• Manicuring

Hairdressing Two is the second course of the Hairdressing Core Program. Hairdressing Two is a transitory unit of the Hairdressing program designed to polish the basic skills learned in Hairdressing One. Hairdressing Two insures each student’s progress prior to becoming a dedicated clinic student. The Hairdressing Two instructor will supervise your clinic experiences but now allowing you to start practicing your skills on clients. This course promotes & helps students gain confidence and agility. 
12 weeks full time days / 23 weeks part time evenings*
Maximum Time Frame = 360 hours 
Satisfactory Academic Progress = 83.34%
Minimum Graduation requirement = 300 hours 

Website: www.bcsbc.edu/

The Beauty Institute

Build the career you’ve dreamed of at The Beauty Institute in Philadelphia. We are the premier cosmetology school in Pennsylvania, providing in depth beauty training for our students. While at The Beauty Institute, you can learn cosmetology, makeup, men's grooming (part of our cosmetology program), Cosmetology Instructor Training, and Esthetics/Skincare. 

We’re located in the Red Lion Shopping Plaza, on the corner of Roosevelt Boulevard and Red Lion Road. Philadelphia is known as one of America’s most historic areas, a national treasure and one of the largest cities in the United States. In Northern Philadelphia, our school is surrounded by restaurants, malls, and attractions. There’s always exciting things to do around the city. 

Cosmetology Program:
• Shampoo
• Scalp Massage
• Styling
• Updos
• Haircutting
• Hair Coloring
• Highlights
• Texturizing
• Makeup
• Hairdressing Service
• Client Service Skills

Our cosmetology program is 1,250 hours. We offer both day and night classes to help better fit your unique schedule.

The Beauty Institute in Philadelphia lists its tuition & fees for the Cosmetology / Cosmetologist program (largest one) as about $19,550 for the academic year 2024-2025.

Website: philadelphia.thebeautyinstituteskp.edu/

Trades & Apprenticeships
Examples: Electrician, Plumber, HVAC, Carpenter, Mechanic, Welder, Cosmetology, etc.
Why? Learn hands-on, earn while you train, high demand careers.
How to Start: Check local union programs, trade schools, or community job centers.

Electricians – IBEW Local 98 & IBEW Local 269
Serve different parts of Bucks; Local 98 covers portions of SE PA; Local 269 covers Mercer/Burlington NJ and Bucks County, PA.
www.ibew98.org/
ibew269.com/

Operating Engineers – IUOE Local 542 (cranes/heavy equipment)
Jurisdiction covers Bucks; apprenticeship through Local 542 JATC (Fort Washington).
www.iuoe542.com/
www.iuoe825.org/

Carpenters – Eastern Atlantic States Regional Council of Carpenters (EASRCC / Local 158)
Training via EAS Carpenters Technical Centers (Philadelphia campus) and CARP pre-apprenticeship; Bucks residents are eligible. 
philadelphiacarpenters158.org/
eascarpenterstech.edu+2eascarpenterstech.edu+2EASRCC


Plumbers – UA Local 690 (Philadelphia Suburban Plumbers)
Serves Philly suburbs including Bucks; 5-year apprenticeship. 
plumbers690.org/

Steamfitters/HVACR/Pipe Welding – UA Local 420
Large mechanical/industrial work; JATC in NE Philly.
www.lu420.com/

Sprinkler Fitters – Local 692
Bucks public procurement routinely references 692; 5-year program ~10,000 OJT hours + 880 classroom hours at McNulty Rd. training center. 
http://www.sprinklerfitters692.org/
Sprinkler Fitters 692+1Bucks County


Sheet Metal Workers – SMART Local 19
Ductwork, architectural sheet metal; apprenticeship via Local 19 JATC. 
www.smartlu19.org/

LDC Philly Vic
Ironworkers – Local 401 (Bridge/Structural/Rebar/Ornamental)
Jurisdiction includes the Philly region; apprenticeship listed in regional guidebooks. 
www.local401.com/

Boilermakers – Local 13 (Newportville/New Falls Rd, in Bucks)
Power/industrial boilermaking; Bucks-based hall with apprenticeship. 
boilermakers.org/local/13

Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers – BAC Local 1 PA/DE
Masonry, tile/stone/terrazzo; Bucks is in wage/jurisdiction schedule; apprenticeship through BAC. 
bac-1.org/

Cement Masons/Plasterers – OPCMIA Local 592
Concrete finishing, plastering; apprenticeship noted in regional resources.
opcmia592.com/

Painters/Tapers – IUPAT District Council 21
Painting, drywall finishing, glazing crafts; apprenticeship via DC21 FT&I.
www.dc21.org/

Roofers – Local 30
Commercial roofing/waterproofing; apprenticeship via Local 30 JATC.
www.rooferslocal30.com/

Elevator Constructors – IUEC Local 5
Installs/maintains elevators & escalators; training center on Townsend Rd (19154). Recruitment windows posted by NEIEP. 
www.iuec5.org/
Apprenticeiuec5.orgneieprecruitment.org

Stagehands/Entertainment Technicians – IATSE Local 8
Covers venues throughout the Philly region (including Bucks events/venues as needed); entry typically via referral list + safety cards; formal crafts training available. 
www.iatse8.com/?zone=/unionactive/view_page.cfm&page=Organize

HVAC
Installing, repairing, and maintaining HVAC systems such as furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, boilers, and refrigeration units
In Pennsylvania, organizations like ACCWPA offer four-year apprenticeships combining classroom instruction (~3,200 hours) with on-the-job training (~8,000 hours)