Bit stressed out here. My dream is to join the military straight outta high school but I'm not super clear on the process. Is there like a specific test I need to pass in high school to qualify? Or is it more of a ‘once you're in, you get trained and tested within the military’ kind of a deal?
For those interested in joining the military after high school, there's a test known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) that you'll need to take. The ASVAB is mandatory for anyone wishing to enlist in the U.S military.
The ASVAB is a multi-aptitude test. It consists of 10 sections accounting for both cognitive and vocational aspects covering topics like General Science, Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, Mathematics Knowledge, Mechanical Comprehension, Electronics Information, Automotive and Shop Information, among others.
The scores from these sections will be compiled to form composite scores. The most important score is the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score which is based on the areas of Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge. This score helps determine if you can qualify for enlistment.
So to answer your question, yes, there is a specific test you need to pass before you join the military. However, remember that enlistment isn't entirely dependent on scores alone. Physical fitness, medical exams, and moral character considerations will also come into play.
It's also helpful to keep in mind that individual branches of the military (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps) have their own minimum ASVAB scores for enlistment. Therefore, it's a good idea to research the specific branch you're interested in to understand their requirements.
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