Hello. I've been exploring various options for my life after high school and one of those is joining the military. But I'm not sure what qualifications they require. Do they look at certain high school classes or grades, or is the selection based more on fitness tests and personal characteristics? Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Joining the military is indeed an admirable path. Basically, to enroll in the military, there are a range of requirements you would need to meet, which vary depending on which branch you're interested in (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard) and whether you're looking into active duty, reserves, or the National Guard.
Each branch has its own age, citizenship, and educational requirements. For most branches, you must be at least 17 years old (with parental consent) or 18 up to age 34, although some branches may accept older recruits. You generally need to be a U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident.
Educational requirements also exist. A high school diploma is typically required, though in some cases, a GED might be accepted. Your high school classes don't generally matter unless you're seeking a job in the military that requires certain skills or knowledge; then, having taken relevant classes could be beneficial.
A key element to joining the military is passing the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), a standardized test that helps the military determine your abilities and potential role. The test sections include General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Electronics Information, Automotive and Shop Information, Mechanical Comprehension, Assembling Objects, and Verbal Expression. So, your high school classes may help you perform well on this test.
Physical fitness and medical health are very important, as you surmised. You will need to pass a military entrance medical exam and meet fitness and weight standards for your age and gender. The specific standards vary by branch.
Character and legal standing are also considered. The military conducts background checks and may disqualify recruits due to certain criminal histories or questionable moral character.
To understand more about requirements, consider speaking to a local recruiter. They can provide branch-specific information and guide you through the process if you decide to proceed. Good luck as you explore this path!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.