Minimum age to join military branches?

I'm a bit stressed because while I'm interested in possibly joining the military after high school, I do not have all the information yet. What's the minimum age to join different military branches in the U.S.? Do all branches have the same age restriction, or does it vary? Thanks!

In the United States, the minimum age to enlist in any branch of the military is 17 years old if you have parental consent, or 18 without parental consent. This is generally the same across all branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard.

However, it's important to note that even if you enlist at 17 with parental consent, you won't begin active duty until you finish high school or earn a General Equivalency Diploma (GED). The military places a high value on education, and most branches require applicants to have graduated high school or obtained a GED.

Also, while 17 or 18 is the minimum age for enlistment, officer programs such as the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC) or service academies generally require you to be at least 18 and usually a high school graduate, as you'll be going to college as part of the program.

Finally, each branch of the military also has a maximum age cutoff for enlistment. This varies widely by branch and can be affected by your level of previous military or relevant professional experience.

Remember, it's always a good idea to research thoroughly and speak with recruiters from the branches you're interested in to gather the most accurate and up-to-date information. It's a big decision, so make sure you're as informed as possible!