US NAVY

REQUIREMENTS TO BECOME A SAILOR

To join the Navy, you must:

• Be a U.S. citizen; or Legal Permanent Resident (Enlisted)

• Be between the ages of 17 and 41 for Enlisted programs. Age requirements for Officer programs vary.*

• Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (Enlisted) or have a four-year degree from an accredited university (Officer)

• Have a qualifying score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test (Enlisted) or the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) and Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) (Officer)

• Pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam

• Meet the physical, mental and moral standards of the Navy

*The age requirements for joining the Navy depend on the path you take, and they exist mainly to ensure you’re able to succeed in a challenging environment. If you are not yet 18, you need parental consent to join. Other restrictions or exceptions may apply depending on your job or program in the Navy.

Contact a recruiter to request more information about basic requirements.

HOW DO I JOIN?

Enlisted

• First, contact a recruiter or request more information for answers to basic questions about joining.

• With your recruiter, report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). Here you will take the ASVAB and undergo a physical exam.

• Speak with a career counselor about which Navy job is right for you based on your physical qualifications and ASVAB score.

• Take the Oath of Enlistment and receive orders for Recruit Training Command (RTC), also known as boot camp.

Officer

There are many avenues to becoming a Naval Officer. You can become an Officer through the United States Naval Academy (USNA), Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC), or Officer Training Command (OTC). OTC includes Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Officer Development School (ODS). To determine which route is best for you and explore available career paths contact a Navy Officer recruiter.