Understanding what you can do to improve your eligibility for entry into the military if you ever want to join the military will be helpful to you before and after joining. Read more here the overview of what you should do before applying for enlistment and how you can improve your chances of enlistment. Below are some information on how to know if you’re eligible to join the military.
1. Know What Jobs Are Available
The first step in knowing if you’re eligible for the military is figuring out what jobs are available. You can research this information by looking at job descriptions, qualifications, and skill requirements for each position.
2. Age Requirements
The U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force have age requirements for enlistment. The Marine Corps will accept applicants up to 35 years old under certain circumstances. The minimum age requirement for each branch is 17 years old with parental consent or 18 without parental consent (with proof of high school graduation). You must be between 17 1/2 and 25 years old when entering basic training in the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps. You must be between 17 1/2 and 31 years old when entering basic training in the Air Force or Coast Guard. There are waivers available for those older than these ages but still, meet other requirements such as education level and physical fitness test score.
3. Check Your Physical Fitness
To join the military, you must meet specific physical fitness standards. You must meet these requirements before you sign up for the military. If you don’t pass your physical exam, you may not be eligible to join the Army and serve as a soldier or marine.
To qualify for any branch of service in the U.S. Military, you must first pass a physical examination to ensure that you are healthy and free from any diseases or conditions that could cause problems during training or while on active duty. This is referred to as a medical exam and is one of the critical parts of getting ready for boot camp or basic training.
4. Check Your Health
If you’re interested in joining the military, you must know whether you’re eligible. The United States has many service branches, and each has its requirements for enlistment. If you meet basic physical needs, there are also numerous ways to get a waiver if your health doesn’t meet the minimum standards. For example:
You may have anxiety or depression that requires treatment. In this case, you can ask for a mental health waiver and be evaluated by a military doctor. If they think you can handle the rigors of military life with treatment, you can join up.
You may have a hearing impairment or other disability that makes it harder to communicate or perform specific tasks in an emergency (like pulling an alarm when there’s smoke in the air). In this case, the military will provide accommodations such as hearing aids or cochlear implants so you can perform your job effectively while on duty.
5. Citizenship Requirements
To join the Army or Air Force as an active-duty member, you must be either a U.S citizen or a permanent resident alien who has had their green card for at least two years before enlisting. The Marine Corps requires recruits to be U.S citizens or have permanent resident alien status (green card holders). Navy recruits must be native-born U.S citizens or naturalized U.S citizens with no more than three out-of-country assignments during their first five years of service after boot camp/A school graduation (E-3). Additionally, they cannot have any felony convictions involving moral turpitude.
6. Check Your Criminal Record
A criminal record is one of the most important things to consider when deciding whether you are eligible to join the military. The Army has a specific process for determining whether or not a person’s criminal record is severe enough to prevent them from entering.
The first step in determining if your record will prevent you from enlisting is to check your criminal history. Using the National Criminal Background Check System (NCIS) can do this quickly and easily. You’ll need a valid Social Security number and birth certificate. If you have not yet been issued an SSN, you can use a Tax Identification Number instead.
Once you’ve entered your information into NCIS, it will explain whether your criminal history will prevent you from enlisting and what kinds of offenses might disqualify you from joining.
Wrapping Up
The military will require you to participate in the Basic Training (Boot Camp) and Advanced Individual Training program. To participate, you must be physically and psychologically fit for the duty. The training is rigorous and can turn you into a stronger person. To get the basic requirements for enrolling in these programs, contact your local recruiting office or check with your physicians for a complete physical fitness recommendation.