Intro
Discover the comprehensive guide to Army enlistment requirements. Learn about eligibility criteria, education requirements, physical fitness standards, and medical qualifications. Understand the ASVAB test, background checks, and moral character evaluations. Get expert advice on preparing for enlistment, meeting requirements, and overcoming common obstacles.
Serving in the army is a noble and rewarding career path that offers a range of benefits, including education and training opportunities, competitive pay, and a sense of pride and camaraderie. However, to join the army, applicants must meet certain enlistment requirements. These requirements are in place to ensure that recruits are physically, mentally, and morally fit to serve in the military.
Whether you're a high school student considering a career in the military or an adult looking for a new challenge, understanding the army enlistment requirements is crucial. In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down the requirements and provide you with the information you need to determine if a career in the army is right for you.
Basic Requirements
To be eligible to join the army, applicants must meet certain basic requirements. These include:
- Being a U.S. citizen or a resident alien
- Being between the ages of 17 and 35 (with some exceptions for older applicants)
- Being in good physical health
- Having a high school diploma or equivalent
- Scoring well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
- Passing a background check
Physical Requirements
To join the army, applicants must be in good physical health and pass a physical fitness test. The test assesses an applicant's ability to perform a range of physical tasks, including push-ups, sit-ups, and a 2-mile run. The minimum scores required to pass the test vary depending on age and sex.
In addition to passing the physical fitness test, applicants must also meet certain body fat percentage requirements. The army uses a body fat percentage chart to determine whether an applicant meets the requirements.
Medical Requirements
To join the army, applicants must be in good medical health. The army has a range of medical requirements that applicants must meet, including:
- Being free from certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, and heart problems
- Having a certain level of vision, including being able to see 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other
- Having a certain level of hearing, including being able to hear whispers at a certain distance
- Being free from certain mental health conditions, such as depression and anxiety disorders
Applicants who have certain medical conditions may be eligible to join the army if they have a waiver. A waiver is a document that states that an applicant's medical condition will not prevent them from serving in the army.
Background Check Requirements
To join the army, applicants must pass a background check. The background check assesses an applicant's character and moral fitness to serve in the army. The check includes:
- A review of an applicant's credit history
- A review of an applicant's employment history
- A review of an applicant's education history
- A review of an applicant's police record
Applicants who have certain types of convictions or a history of misconduct may be ineligible to join the army.
Education Requirements
To join the army, applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent. The army also offers education benefits to its members, including the GI Bill, which helps pay for college tuition.
Applicants who do not have a high school diploma may be eligible to join the army if they have a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. The GED is a test that assesses an applicant's knowledge in certain subjects, including math, science, and English.
ASVAB Test Requirements
The ASVAB test is a multiple-choice test that assesses an applicant's knowledge in certain subjects, including math, science, and English. The test is used to determine an applicant's eligibility to join the army and to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
Applicants must score well on the ASVAB test to be eligible to join the army. The minimum scores required to pass the test vary depending on the type of job an applicant wants to do in the army.
Gallery of Army Enlistment Requirements
Army Enlistment Requirements Image Gallery
What are the basic requirements to join the army?
+The basic requirements to join the army include being a U.S. citizen or a resident alien, being between the ages of 17 and 35, being in good physical health, having a high school diploma or equivalent, scoring well on the ASVAB test, and passing a background check.
What is the ASVAB test?
+The ASVAB test is a multiple-choice test that assesses an applicant's knowledge in certain subjects, including math, science, and English. The test is used to determine an applicant's eligibility to join the army and to identify their strengths and weaknesses.
What are the medical requirements to join the army?
+The medical requirements to join the army include being free from certain medical conditions, such as diabetes, epilepsy, and heart problems, having a certain level of vision, including being able to see 20/20 in one eye and 20/40 in the other, and having a certain level of hearing, including being able to hear whispers at a certain distance.
If you're considering a career in the army, we encourage you to comment below with any questions or concerns you may have. We also invite you to share this article with anyone who may be interested in joining the army.