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Is the military for you?
Is the military for you?
If you're thinking of enlisting in the military, start with some research.
Ask questions to your parents, guardians, mentors, recruiters, and researching some information online.
As an active duty enlisted member, you'll learn a job specialty and do hands-on work. You'll sign a contract, usually for four years active and four years inactive service.
You can also join the military as a reserves.
Requirements to enlist:
Requirements to enlist:
U.S. Citizen or Lawful permanent resident with a valid "Green Card" (You may have fewer job choices.)
Age limit is 17 with parental consent, or 18 or older without. Each branch has different age limits (See below.)
Education: Must earn a high school diploma OR your GED (Your options may be more limited in some branches.)
Everyone must take the Armed Serices Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. (The test determines which branches and jobs you can pursue.)
Health and Fitness: Pass a physical exam and meet weight limits. Each service has different fitness standards.
Enlist at 17 with parental consent, or older without. Age limit, 28 years old.
Enlist at 17 with parental consent, or older without. Age limit, 34 years old.
Enlist at 17 with parental consent, or older without. Age limit, 39 years old.
Enlist at 17 with parental consent, or older without. Age limit, 31 years old.
Enlist at 17 with parental consent, or older without. Age limit, contact Air force recruiter.
Enlist at 17 with parental consent, or older without. Age limit, 39 years old.
Active Duty vs Reserve or National Guard
Active Duty vs Reserve or National Guard
A person who is active duty is in the military full time. They work for the military full time, may live on a military base, and can be deployed at any time. Persons in the Reserve or National Guard are not full-time active duty military personnel, although they can be deployed at any time should the need arise.
Each branch of the military has a Reserve component and the Reserve are under the command of their respective military branch (e.g., Army Reserve are under the command of the Army). The purpose of the Reserve is to provide and maintain trained units and qualified persons to be available for active duty in the armed forces when needed. This may be in times of war, in a national emergency, or as the need occurs based on threats to national security. Their presence can be called upon to serve either stateside or overseas. The primary job of the Reserve is to fill the gaps in stateside service positions when the active duty forces ship overseas. Members of the Reserve are required to participate in training drills one weekend a month and two weeks per year.
ASVAB Practice Test
ASVAB Practice Test
ASVAB consists of general science, arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mechanical comprehension, mathematics knowledge, electronic information, automotive and shop information, and assembling objects.
Click here!
Steps for enlisting:
Steps for enlisting:
Contact a Recruiter - Click here!
Report to MEPS - If you decide to enlist, you'll spend a day at a military entrance processing station (MEPS). You'll take the ASVAB, have your physical exam, and meet with a career counselor. If you're accepted, you'll take the oath of enlistment.
Await orders for Basic Training - You'll receive orders for basic training within a few weeks. If you enrolled in the delayed entry program, you'll get orders within a year.
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