Military Enlistment (Page 1	 of 2)	
Military Enlistment	
What are the qualifications for joining the military?	 	
In general, the military requires:  1) U. S. citizenship or proof of pe
rmanent residency (i.e., "Green Card");  
2) high school diploma (or equivalent); 3) good health; and 4) pass
ing scores on Armed Services Vocational 
Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).  5) You should be between the ages of 17 and 29 for Marines, 27 for Air Force, 
39 for Coast Guard, 34 for Navy, 34 for Army.  Space Force has not set age requirements yet.  6) Physically 
between the minimum and maximum heights: 5’0" to 6’8" for me
n and between 4’10" to 6’8" for women.  
Guidelines vary by military branch; therefore, ask a recruiter.  Some jobs 
add more standards, and some qualifications may be waived for a person.
What is the ASVAB?
The ASVAB is a test with eight subtests: 	 General Science,	 Arithmetic 	
Reasoning	, Word Knowledge	, Paragraph Comprehension	, Math 	
Knowledge	, Electronics Information, Auto & Shop Information, and 	
Mechanical Comprehension.  The four subtests in 	bold type	 make up the 	
score of your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT).  The AFQT score 
determines if you can or cannot enlist in the military.  The ASVAB 
evaluates your:  1) 	ability for success	 by testing your academic 	
knowledge, and 2) 	aptitude (talent) 	for military careers by testing your occupational knowledge.  Each 	
branch of the military has its own ASVAB score required for enlistment.  Some branches accept low 
ASVAB scores, others do not.  Also, each branch of the military has its own ASVAB score requirements 
for jobs open yo you.  The ASVAB is not a pass or fail test.  Rather, the ASVAB measures your abilities as 
compared to others who took the same tests.
Can you serve in the military without a high school diploma?	 	
Officially, no.  Unofficially, you may be eligible to enlist without a high school degree in some services, but 
only if you pledge to enroll in a service-sponsored GED program and obta
in your 
GED within a certain length of time.  Your best bet, if you don’t have a high school 
diploma, may be the Army.  Your military job choices are limited when you have a 
GED instead of a high school diploma.
Can you serve in the military if you have a criminal record?	 	
The official answer is no.  However, the services have opportunity to judge each person’s case individually.  
You will have to submit certain documents, and you better have a good cas
e, but joining may be possible.  
Each service has its own policy, so you need to ask a recruiter for advice. 
What is MEPS?
There is a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) in almost every
 state.  After you have decided to 
join the military, the recruiter will schedule you for a day at the MEPS to undergo ASVAB testing, physical 
testing, medical examination, and paperwork processing.  The enlistees of all branches use the same MEPS 
with separate check-in desks for each branch..  At the MEPS, you will decide if you wish to enter the 
military at that time or if you prefer to enter at a future date under t
he Delayed Entry Program (DEP).  	
Military service offers good career opportunities but also includes active duty dangers to your life, em
otions, body parts.

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QUICK CHECK:
1. List 6 qualifications for joining the military.
2. How many subtests are in the ASVAB?
3. a) Which subtests make up the score of AFQT? 	
b) What does the AFQT score determine?	
4. What 2 things does the ASVAB evaluate?
5. a) Do all branches have same ASVAB score 	
requirements for:  a) Enlistment?  b) Jobs?	
6. The ASVAB compares your abilities to whom?
7. Which branch would be your best bet if you do 	
not have a high school diploma?	
8. If you have a criminal record and want to serve, 	
what do you have to do?	
9. a) For what do the initials MEPS stand? 	
Military Enlistment	 (page 2 of 2)	
Where is basic training?
• 	Army	 (9 weeks) — Fort Benning, GA; Fort Knox, KT; Fort Sill, OK; Fort Jackson, 	
SC; or Fort Leonard Wood, MO.	
• 	Air Force and Space Force	 (8 1/2 weeks)   — Lackland Air Force Base, TX.	
• 	Navy 	(8 weeks and 3 days)   — Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes, IL.	
• 	Marine Corps	 (13 weeks plus 3 weeks of combat training for men) — 	
 Parris Island, SC (men and women); San Diego, CA (men only).
• 	Coast Guard	 (8 weeks) — Cape May, New Jersey	
What is basic training?
During basic training you are mentally, emotionally, and physically prepared for military service.  Basic 
training includes introductory briefings, uniform fitting, records processing, barracks upkeep training, drill 
and marching instruction, and physical training (PT).  Basic training 
group of 30 to 50 recruits is called 
company	 in the Navy, 	platoon	 in the Army and Marine Corps, and 	flight 	in the Air Force.  Basic training 	
starts 5 a.m. and ends around 9 p.m. with some training on Saturdays or 
Sundays.  Subjects taught include:  
military courtesy, military regulations, military rules of conduct, military hygiene and 
sanitation, military 
organization and mission, handling and care of weapons, and training specific to that branch of the military.  
If you join, how long must you serve?
The term of active service varies depending upon branch of military and 
job.  
Enlistment programs vary as follows:  Army: 3 to 6 years; Air Force and Space 
Force: 4 or 6 years; Navy: 4, 5, or 6 years; Marines: 4 or 5 years; Coas
t Guard: 4 or 
6 years.  Average enlistment is four years active duty plus four years reserve duty
.
What else do you need to know?
Joining the military is a big commitment.  Upon enlisting, you will sign an Enlistment Contract that sets 
your commitment time, pay, job training, and other details.  Read the Enlistment Contract to make
 sure it is 
correct before you sign it  because getting out of your commitment after you sign the contract is difficult.	
  b) When you join, list 4 things that happen at 	
MEPS.  c) What will you decide at the MEPS?	
10. How long is basic training for: a) Army?  b) Air 	
Force?  c) Navy?  d) Marines?  e) Coast Guard?	
11. a) List the basic training site nearest your home.  	
b) For what branch is this site?	
12. a) List 6 things that basic training includes.
 b) List 5 subjects covered in basic training.
13. a) Which branch has shortest enlistment time?  	
b) What is the average enlistment commitment 
time for active duty?  c) For reserve duty?	
14. a) Upon enlistment, what do you sign?  b) Give 	
2 reasons why you need to read this document.