I'm interested in what the general requirements are to enlist in the military. Do they vary by branch, and what factors like education, fitness, or background checks are most critical to meeting these requirements?
The requirements to enlist in the military do vary a bit by branch, but there are some commonalities across the board.
Firstly, for the most part, you need to be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident (green card holder) to enlist. There are a few exceptions to this rule for certain roles in the military.
When it comes to age, each branch has different entry-level enlistment age limits:
- Army: 17-35 years old
- Navy: 17-39 years old
- Air Force: 17-39 years old
- Marines: 17-28 years old
- Coast Guard: 17-31 years old
- Space Force: As it's currently administered by the Air Force, the same age requirements apply.
Education is also critical. All branches require entrants to have a high school diploma. However, the GED is accepted by the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, though some branches may limit opportunities. It's worth noting that candidates with a GED instead of a high school diploma often face more scrutiny in the enlistment process.
As for health and fitness, all potential recruits undergo a Medical Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) exam. This involves a physical examination, hearing and vision tests, height and weight measurements, and so on. The military also implements fitness tests which vary by branch but typically include tasks like push-ups, sit-ups, and timed runs.
In addition, a clean legal record is generally required. While some minor infractions may be overlooked or waivers can be obtained for certain circumstances, serious or multiple legal issues could disqualify a potential recruit. Plus, all recruits must pass a background check.
Lastly, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is required for all those wishing to enlist. This test measures abilities and aptitude in areas like word knowledge, math knowledge, mechanical comprehension, and electronics information, which helps to determine what military job classification or "MOS" you may qualify for.
Keep in mind that requirements do change and can be dependent on the specific needs of the military at the time of your enlistment, so it's best to speak directly with a recruiter for the most current information.
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