Hi folks! Has anyone here joined the military straight from high school? I'm considering this path and I'd like to know: What's the quickest branch to join? Also, could you share a bit about the enlistment process and timelines for the different branches? It's a big decision and I'd appreciate any advice!
The enlistment process and its timeline can vary somewhat depending on which branch of the military you're joining and what role you aspire to. Here's a generalized outline for the four largest branches: Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines.
1. Initial Contact: First, you'll reach out to a local recruiter in the branch you're interested in. This can vary in length depending on how quickly you reach out and coordinate a meeting.
2. Recruiter Meeting: You'll meet with your recruiter to discuss your aspirations and what the military can offer. This usually takes a few hours.
3. ASVAB Testing: Next, you'll take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) test to determine your aptitude for different military occupational specialties. Studying for this test can take several weeks up to a couple of months or more, but the test itself only lasts about 3 hours.
4. Medical Exam: Following this, you'll undergo a medical examination at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station), which takes a day.
5. Job Selection and Oath: If you pass your medical examination and ASVAB, you will select your job (which can sometimes be selected before heading to MEPS), take the Oath of Enlistment, and get your ship out date for basic training. This can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on job availability and the branch’s needs.
6. Delayed Entry Program (DEP): You'll then be in the DEP until you ship out to basic training.
Regarding the "quickest" branch to join, it largely depends on the availability of jobs and the specific needs of each branch at any given time. It might be slightly quicker to get into the Army due to its size, but the timelines can also be accelerated if you're flexible with your job choice.
Remember, deciding to serve in the military is a significant commitment, so take your time to do thorough research and really think it through. Consider speaking with recruiters from different branches, and try to network with current or previous service members to get a broad perspective on military life and service.
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.