What are the basic requirements to join the military right after high school?

Hey guys, I'm a junior cranking up the thought process on my future options. The military is on the table for me, so I'm wondering about the basic requirements they might have. Has anyone recently been through this? I'm curious about things like age, education level, maybe physical fitness?

Here's what you'd typically need to qualify for military service right after high school:

First, the age requirement: To actively serve in any branch of the military, you must be at least 17 years old. If you're 17, you'll need parental consent. Otherwise, you'll have to wait until you're 18. The max age varies depending on the branch of service, but for most branches, it's generally early to mid-thirties.

Next, the education requirement: In general, you'll need at least a high school diploma or equivalency like a GED to enlist. The military values education, and it can impact your rank when entering service, as well as your salary.

Physical fitness: You're correct that physical fitness is important. Each branch of the military has different standards for physical fitness, but all look at things like cardiovascular fitness, strength, and body composition. Actual fitness tests will vary by branch, but can include timed runs, sit-ups, push-ups, and other exercises.

In addition to age, education, and physical fitness, the military also has requirements on citizenship, and they also consider legal and moral standards. For instance, criminal history may disqualify some individuals. Finally, before you enlist, you'd need to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which assesses your ability to learn new skills and perform military jobs.

Remember that these are general requirements. Each branch of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard) may have varying qualifications depending on the specific role or job you are interested in.

In terms of next steps, I'd recommend reaching out to a military recruiter for the branch you're interested in. They can provide more specific info based on your interests and qualifications.