Difficulty of Entry into Different US Military Branches

Alright, so the title may be a bit dramatic, but I'm genuinely curious. Is there a consensus on which US military branch is the hardest to get into?

The difficulty of getting into a U.S. military branch can vary depending on various factors, including your physical and mental fitness, educational background, specific career field, and even the current needs of the military.

However, broadly speaking, the U.S. Air Force tends to be considered the most selective of the branches when it comes to basic enlistment. They typically require higher Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) scores and have a lower acceptance rate than some other branches.

On the other hand, if we're considering the officer training programs such as the service academies (like West Point for the Army or the Naval Academy for the Navy and Marine Corps), all branches become extremely selective. They all require a robust high school academic record, leadership experience, physical aptitude, and often a nomination from a congressional representative.

For the newest branch, the U.S. Space Force, it's also quite selective as it's small and specialized. It's mainly seeking individuals with backgrounds in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

Of course, the "difficulty" can vary greatly depending on the specifics of what you're hoping to do in the military. For example, entry into special operations groups like the Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, or Air Force Pararescue will be significantly more rigorous and competitive than standard enlistment.