how to know if you have what it takes to join the military

Introduction

Are you thinking nearly joining the U.S. war machine? I once did, and after making the choice to bring together, it turned out to exist the best decision I ever made…but it was as well the scariest to make.

As a Marine that has served 14 years so far, I'm here to answer some questions you lot probably are request yourself right at present, and how to figure out what choices are all-time for you.

This article volition encompass a few things that y'all should remember about before you talk to a U.S. military machine recruiter and officially begin the process.

1. Reasons to Join the Military
2. What Branch of the Military Should I Join?
3. Questions to Enquire a War machine Recruiter
4. Requirements to Join the War machine
5. How to Enlist in the Military
6. Find a Armed services Recruiter

Click here to download your gratis PDF copy.

Reasons to Bring together the Military

First: Think long and hard well-nigh why you desire to bring together.

For some, joining the armed forces is only a smart manner to get started in life: paying for higher, having health insurance, or learning a trade are only a few reasons.

For many others, joining the military is a calling that they might find hard to depict. Maybe it'south the desire to become the toughest and nigh capable version of yourself. Maybe it's a patriotic pull and a need to contribute to something bigger than yourself.

Whatever your reason (or reasons), it is a huge conclusion, and it is one best fabricated with as much information as possible.

Remember: The U.S. armed services is voluntary, and no 1 is twisting your arm to join it. It's very hard to turn back in one case you lot bring together, and there are serious consequences if you tin't keep your commitment.

With that in mind, recollect about what is the near important thing that makes you want to join. Is it patriotism? Duty? Honor? Or is it that you demand some aid with getting on your feet after high school?

All are valid reasons, but only if yous are fix to do the piece of work once you start.

Whatsoever fears you have about joining the military, just retrieve this nugget of truth that my recruiter told me: "You don't know anything almost this life yet, and in that location is no style to know if you'll bask it unless you really endeavor"! (Click to Tweet this)

What Branch of the Military Should I Join?

The very first decision you demand to make if you lot're thinking about joining the military is to decide which branch to join. In example you don't know, there are six branches:

1. Regular army
two. Navy
3. Declension Guard
4. Marine Corps
5-6. Air Force and Space Strength

Note: The U.Southward. Space Force is still being established and is mostly being populated through the Air Force. And so, going forward, consider all Air Force information as applicable to Infinite Forcefulness likewise.

All branches have the aforementioned insurance, education, and retirement benefits, and then when deciding which is right for y'all, ask yourself what task you'd most like to practice.

1. U.Due south. Army

What is the purpose of the U.South. Ground forces?

The Army is huge. You will meet all sorts of people that are there for all sorts of reasons.

There are hundreds of thousands of soldiers, and thousands of different jobs, ranging from infantry to medic to tanker to pilot to supply…and pretty much annihilation else yous tin can recall of!

Army Special Forces

The Army has the most paths to special operations force units (like U.Southward. Ground forces Special Forces or U.South. Army Rangers), then, if you're looking to go that road and become into some seriously big-time stuff, the Army is an excellent pathway into that earth.

Army Duty Stations

Regular army duty stations tend to be all over the nation and sometimes overseas in Italy, Germany, Japan, and more—so, at that place is a good chance you could live overseas for a while.

Regular army Culture

The Army's civilisation is based on the history and pride of private units and their celebrated exploits, such every bit the Army Rangers that accept traditions dating back to before the independence of the United states of america, or the 82nd Airborne that revels in their gloried history of the battle. (Click to Tweet this)

2. U.S. Navy

What Is the Purpose of the U.S. Navy?

The U.South. Navy exists to project American ability around the globe from the bounding main, but the Navy is so much more just a agglomeration of ships. There are also surface fleets (and all their related jobs) and much more, including exciting careers in intelligence, medicine, naval aviation, nuclear science, radar, and communications.

The Navy is probably the best branch to learn a trade, specially if you want to go a machinist, electrician, refrigeration specialist, air traffic controller, radar technician, dr., nurse, physician's assistant, aircraft mechanic or many other things.

Navy Special Forces

The Navy's special operations services—which include Navy SEALs and Special Warfare Combatant Craft (SWCC)—are modest, highly aristocracy, and highly selective.

Navy Duty Stations

Duty stations are generally almost the coast (for obvious reasons) both in the U.Due south. and internationally, but there are postings on other services' bases, depending on your job.

Navy Culture

The Navy's culture is very large on tradition and professionalism—and is pretty onetime-fashioned, peculiarly in the surface fleet.

The human relationship between Navy chiefs and officers is unique among the service branches: a lot of what officers learn is picked up through their interactions. This is why your customs will make the biggest divergence in your Naval career. On the other hand, the lives and worlds of Navy pilots are very dissimilar from nuclear submarine sailors, which are very different from destroyer crews.

three. U.S. Coast Guard

What Is the Purpose of the U.S. Coast Baby-sit?

The Declension Guard is really part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security rather than the U.S. Department of Defense. It exists to protect America's territorial waters, assist vessels and mariners in distress, and carry counter piracy and drug trafficking.

Coast Guard Special Forces

Many of the jobs in the Navy besides be in the Coast Guard—but the principal difference is that you'll rarely deploy overseas, which is a big plus.

Coast Guard rescue swimmers are highly trained and respected, and their pilots are among the finest in the world, capable of flying in weather that most pilots wouldn't even dare!

Declension Guard Duty Stations

Duty stations can be anywhere in the U.S. along any coast, including the Great Lakes.

Coast Baby-sit Culture

The Declension Baby-sit'due south civilization is one of tradition, pride, and professionalism, while also existence comparatively relaxed.

4. U.S. Marine Corps

What Is the Purpose of the U.S. Marine Corps?

The Marine Corps is the smallest service in population, partly because it has the highest physical requirements.

The Corps exists as the nation'south shock troops. Its chief capabilities involve landing in a contested area, slap-up apart defenses, and holding the area until the Army can make it to take over.

The Marine Corps is too prepared to deploy aboard Navy ships, which is why it has its ain shipping, troops, logistics and command, and why it can sustain its troops for extended periods of time.

Marine Special Operations

Some members of the other branches volition joke that Marines are the unsophisticated jocks of the war machine earth, but that's largely considering they know the Marine Corps has some of the highest entry requirements in the entire U.S. Armed forces.

In the Corps, task opportunities include infantry, arms, aviation, pilot, supply, law, logistics, reconnaissance, and Marine Special Operations (MARSOC).

Marine Duty Stations

At that place are but a few major Marine duty stations: the East Coast's are in Virginia and North Carolina, and the West Coast'due south are in Southern California, Hawaii and Japan. You'll never be too far from any coast in the Marines (except in Xx-Nine Palms, California, which is in the high Mojave desert)!

Marine Corps Culture

The Marine Corps' civilisation is one of farthermost pride and history that revels in the deeds of its forebears and cultivates a civilization of aggressiveness and doing more with less.

5-6. U.Due south. Air Force and U.S. Space Force

What Is the Purpose of the U.S. Air Forcefulness?

The Air Force exists to dominate armed forces air and back up operations with both fighters and bombers. The service is well-funded and has some of the most technologically advanced equipment, as well as leading the nation'due south infinite program.

What Is the Purpose of the U.S. Space Force?

The Space Strength was recently created to help shoulder some of the Air Strength's responsibilities.

Air Force Special Operations

The Air Force Special Operations Control (AFSOC) is where you lot can larn bodily rocket scientific discipline or support operations. Available jobs include: Combat Controller Teams (CCT), Pararescue (PJ) and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP).

Air Force Duty Stations

Duty stations can be at dwelling house or abroad, and they tend to be a chip nicer (in terms of quality of life and amenities) when compared to other branches.

Air Force Culture

Yous'll endure much less shouting and physical hardship in this branch (AFSOC excluded!) and focus more on technology and skill. The culture is very relaxed compared to the other branches.

Questions to Ask a U.South. Military Recruiter

Once you lot accept decided which branch y'all want to join, your next move is to talk to a recruiter.

Before you talk to a recruiter, remember this, because information technology's very important: The first rule with recruiters is to get everything from them in writing.

Don't think that you can't trust recruiters, merely you do need to empathize that being a recruiter is a chore…and their job has quotas they must run into. It'due south your responsibility if they verbally hope you the moon simply end up doing a task you never wanted!

Now that we've got that out of the way, permit's talk almost the questions you lot need to ask:

• What are the concrete requirements for joining?
• What are the disqualifying medical or physical bug?
• How long is my contract actually for? ( Remember almost all contracts are actually eight years with varying lengths of active duty fourth dimension.)
• What tests are required for entry, and what scores do I need to qualify for specific jobs?
• Are there whatever specialized tests for certain jobs?
• If I have whatever disqualifying issues, do I qualify for whatsoever waivers?
• Tin I join with a friend and stay together?
• Can you guarantee me a sure job or duty station?
• If joining the National Guard or Reserves, volition I authorize for the same benefits? Also, will I authorize for the GI Neb?
• If I am married, what benefits are my family entitled to?
• If I am interested in Special Operations, can I sign a contract to go direct into their training pipeline or practice I have to serve a minimum corporeality of time start?
• If I am in college or have a higher degree, how practice I bring together every bit an officeholder?

Requirements to Join the War machine

Now that you've decided which co-operative yous want to bring together and have learned some questions to enquire a recruiter, you're ready for the next step: exploring the requirements to join the armed services…specifically for your preferred branch.

Here is a simple guide that will explain the age, physical and education requirements for each branch.

Age Requirements to Join the Military

And then how old tin yous exist to bring together the military…and how quondam is likewise onetime?

Army

• Active Duty: 17–35
• Reserve: 17–35
• National Guard: 17–35
• Service Academies: 17–23

Marine Corps

• Agile Duty: 17-28
• Reserve: 17–28
• National Baby-sit: North/A
• Service Academies: 17–23

Navy

• Active Duty: 17–39
• Reserve: 17–39
• National Baby-sit: N/A
• Service Academies: 17–23

Air Forcefulness

• Active Duty: 17–39
• Reserve: 17–39
• National Baby-sit: 17–39
• Service Academies: 17–23

Infinite Force

• Contact an Air Force Recruiter for age requirements: 1 (800) 423-8723

Declension Guard

• Active Duty: 17–27
• Reserve: 17–39
• National Guard: N/A
• Service Academies: 17–22

Physical Requirements to Join the Military

What are the concrete requirements to join the military? All services accept general medical requirements that can disqualify you for service. For instance, there are hearing and vision requirements, medical disorders, or diseases like diabetes that can disqualify you from service.

There are besides superlative and weight standards yous must meet. Excessive body fat (or insufficient body mass) volition disqualify you. Yous must too exist able to laissez passer a drug screening.

Each service as well has unique physical fettle tests. Recruits must have a minimum passing score to ship to kick camp. Those joining as officers should already be in skilful enough shape to pass the concrete fettle exam with a high score, before fifty-fifty starting training.

Below are the bones physical fettle examination requirements for each service. (Special units—like SEALs or U.S. Army Special Forces—have their own unique tests.)

Army Concrete Fettle Test (APFT)

• Max pushups: Ii minutes
• Situps: Ii minutes
• Ii-mile timed run

Scores are based on gender and historic period, and can be institute here.

Ground forces Combat Fitness Exam (ACFT)

• Three-rep max deadlift (MDL)
• Standing power throw
• Paw release pushups (HRP)
• Sprint/Drag/Bear (SDC)
• Leg tuck (LTK)
• 2-mile timed run

Full details of each outcome and scoring can be found here.

Navy Concrete Readiness Test (PRT)

• Pushups: Two minutes
• Forearm plank
• 1.5-mile timed run or 2000-meter row

Scoring tables and directions can be constitute hither.

Air Forcefulness Basic Military Training Fettle Examination

• Pushups: ane minute
• Situps: one minute
• one.5-mile timed run

Standards, scores, and additional information can be found here.

Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT)

• Three-mile timed run
• Max expressionless-hang pullups without dropping off the bar
• Crunches in a ii-minute time limit

Each upshot is worth 100 points, for a total of 300 possible points.

Marines can substitute pull ups for push button ups, and crunches for a plank, though information technology will lower their maximum possible score.

Scores are based on historic period and gender and the tables and regulations can be institute here.

Marine Corps Combat Fitness Test (CFT)

• Movement to contact: 880-yard sprint in boots and utility trousers
• Ammo-tin can lifts: Max in two minutes
• Maneuver under fire: Timed grade of various tasks

Scores are based on historic period and gender and the tables and regulations tin can be institute hither.

Coast Baby-sit Concrete Fitness Assessment

• Pushups: one infinitesimal
• Sit-ups: ane minute
• 1.5-mile timed run
• Sit and attain (flexibility examination)
• Five-minute water tread
• Spring off a five-foot platform into a puddle and swim 100 meters

Details can be establish here.

So you recollect that you are military fit? Take these armed services fitness tests to find out!

What Are the Educational Requirements to Join the War machine?

To enlist in the U.Due south. military, ane must possess a loftier school education through either a loftier school diploma or a GED. To join as an officeholder, one must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

You must likewise accept the Armed Services Vocational Bent Bombardment (ASVAB) test. The minimum scores to join each service are:

• Ground forces: 31
• Navy: 35
• Air Forcefulness: 36 (with a loftier schoolhouse diploma) or 65 (with a GED)
• Marine Corps: 32
• Declension Guard: forty (Military Qualification Test) or l (if you have a GED)

How to Enlist in the Military machine

Enlisting in the military involves a few key steps. The first is with basic eligibility, which requires you to be:

• A U.South. citizen or resident conflicting
• At least xviii years of age (or 17 with signed permission from your parent or legal guardian)

Bold you are eligible, your adjacent step is to call your local branch recruiter and start asking questions to ensure you are qualified. Or, if you are interested in joining as an officer, call or visit your local officer recruiter or Officer Selection Part (OSO), or phone call a local recruiter and ask to exist directed to an officeholder recruiter.

When you plant contact with a recruiter, you'll be given a total questionnaire to ensure you lot qualify. This is besides the fourth dimension you should employ our questions to enquire a recruiter.

After you are qualified, you lot will then sign a contract for a term of service. This will commonly be an 8-year agreement, with all or role of requiring y'all to be on active duty, unless you are joining the Reserves or Guard.

Later your contract is signed, you will be directed to a Armed services Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) where you will receive a full physical test, drug screening and aptitude testing.

After y'all are cleared by MEPS, y'all volition await shipping to your bones training!

Find a Military machine Recruiter

Remember there are different recruiters for regular enlistment and officers. Each service has websites, cost-free phone numbers and local offices where y'all can go more information.

• Regular army | Ground forces Officer
• Navy | Navy Officer
• Air Force | Air Force Officer
• Marine Corps | Marine Officer
• Coast Guard | Declension Guard Officer

Decision

Joining the military machine and military enlistment is a big step that tin can be scary. It's hard. Simply it's supposed to be.

Because we are an all-volunteer military, you lot want the people you serve with to want to be there. Y'all want to be with the best.

There are hundreds—if not thousands—of paths you tin take in the military, but all of them volition brand you a meliorate version of yourself. Whatever path yous cull and whatever chore you practice, yous are still doing something great by giving dorsum to your state, and you should be proud of yourself.

We've said it a few times already, but nosotros'll say it again: Ask your recruiter as many questions as yous need to ask! And don't stop there: Ask your friends and family questions, too! Basically, learn all you tin.

If you do determine to join: Best of luck, congratulations, and enjoy the adventures that await!

The appearance of U.S. Section of Defence (DoD) visual data does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.

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Source: https://mybaseguide.com/joining-the-military/

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