Are You Eligible To Join The Military
Eligibility rules can be a little confusing. There are different rules for enlisting and for officer programs.
Enlisting: Enlisted members do the hands-on work of the military. They need at least a high school degree a GED may not suffice.
Officer: Officers are the managers of the military. Most officer programs require a college degree at minimum and are very competitive. Many officers have master’s or higher degrees.
Before you visit your local recruiter, be sure you meet the minimum qualifications for serving in the U.S. Armed Forces. Some qualifications are required by all five services:
- You must be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
- You must be at least 17 years old .
- You must have a high school diploma.
- You must pass a physical medical exam.
For each branch, there are slightly different enlistment requirements:
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Submit Your Application 4medical Exam
You will then take a two part medical exam: First there is a questionnaire on your medical history including specific information on your medication. Then the medical staff will conduct a physical exam to measure your height, weight, evaluate your vision, colour perception and hearing. The second step is a medical file review to determine any limitations that will affect your training and career.
My Asvab Scores Are Too Low Does This Mean I Can No Longer Join
Not necessarily. The Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery helps the Army determine who is or isnt qualified to become an enlisted Soldier. However, we understand extenuating circumstances can impact ones ability to test or test well. The Army does offer ASVAB waivers for potential recruits. The easiest way to learn about your eligibility, the waiver process, and your next steps is to talk with your recruiter.
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What Is The Maximum Age To Enlist In The Military
One of the most frequently asked questions recruiters get asked is what are the maximum age limits to enlist in the military service. There is an age limit that disqualifies certain ages from joining the military. However, the age limit is higher that you may think. If you are over this age limit, you are not qualified for service. But, if you keep pushing and proving to the recruiters that your experience and physical fitness levels are acceptable, you could be eligible for an age waiver. The most frequently asked question is the following:
Are There Physical Fitness Requirements To Join

Yes, there are physical fitness requirements to join the Army. The Armys Physical Fitness Test is used to assess the physical endurance of a recruit. APFT is a 3-part fitness event: 2 minutes of push-ups, 2 minutes of sit-ups, and a timed 2-mile run. Recruits must pass the APFT to graduate boot camp.
The APFT physical fitness requirements vary by age and gender. Reference the table below to find your minimum fitness requirements.
The Army will continue to use the APFT until further notice.
AGE
MENS APFT PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIREMENTS |
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34 | 23:00 |
If you have any questions regarding the APFT or your physical fitness requirements, talk to your recruiter.
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Prior Service + Prior Military Commitments
Those with prior service or prior military commitments can apply to be military medical students, residents or physicians, although some individuals may need to fill out extra applications. For example, Reserve Officers’ Training Corps cadets must be approved for an educational delay because of their existing military commitments before they apply to HPSP or USU. Likewise, cadets and midshipmen in Service academies and ROTC must be approved by their respective Service before accepting admission to medical school.
If you are an active-duty service member, you must receive permission from your Personnel Command to leave your current assignment and apply to medical school and scholarship programs. In that case, any preexisting service obligation for your military education and training will be added to any obligation related to your participation in a medical scholarship program.
Topics of Interest:
I Have Adhd Can I Join The Army
Yes. Previously ADD or ADHD was automatically disqualifying, but today it is only disqualifying if the applicant has been treated with ADD/ADHD medicine within the previous year or if they display obvious signs of the condition. If you are concerned about ADHD medical prescriptions, talk to your recruiter about potential options.
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The Minimum Age Permitted To Join The Military
In all cases except for the Navy Reserve, the minimum age permitted is 17 with parental consent in writing. Those 18 and older are permitted to join the military without parental consent. The Navy Reserve minimum age is 18.
Military Maximum Age Requirements:
Did you know there is an upper age limit for all branches of military service?
Military Age Limits:
- Army Age Limit: 35 for active duty, Guard, and Army Reserve
- Navy Age Limit: 34 for active duty, 39 for Navy Reserve
- Air Force Age Limit: 39 for active duty and Guard, 38 for Air Force Reserve
- Coast Guard Age Limit: 27 for active duty, 39 for Coast Guard Reserve
- Space Force Age Limit: Contact an Air Force recruiter for eligibility requirements
Prior service military members may not be subject to the same age limitations as new recruits depending on age, the nature of military service, recruiting demand, and other factors.
Under federal law, the oldest recruit any military branch can enlist is 42 however each service may set their own policy below that age limit.
Requirements For Joining The Military
The U.S. military has six branches of service: the Army, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Space Force. The requirements to join are similar for all six. The main differences are in age limits, test scores, and fitness levels. Men and women meet different fitness standards. Besides the requirements listed here, a branch may have other requirements.
Age Limits for Enlisting
You must be at least 17 to enlist in any branch of the active military. The oldest you can be to enlist for active duty in each branch is:
Coast Guard: 31
Air Force: 39
Space Force: 39
Some branches have different age limits for their part-time Reserve and National Guard. Visit each service’s recruiting website for its part-time age limits.
Requirements for Enlisting If You Are Not a U.S. Citizen
You do not have to be a U.S. citizen to enlist in the military, but you may have fewer options. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must:
Have a permanent resident card, also known as a Green Card
Currently live in the U.S.
Speak, read, and write English fluently
Educational and Testing Requirements for Enlisting
You must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test. The ASVAB has 10 subtests.
Your scores on four of those make up your Armed Forces Qualification Test score. This score determines which branch you may join. Each branch has its own lowest score for joining.
Your scores on all 10 subtests determine which job specialties you qualify for..
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What Offenses Or Moral Behavior
- Individuals under civil restraint including parole, confinement, or probation are not eligible for waivers
- Individuals subject to civil court conviction or adverse disposition for more than one serious offense, or serious offenses with three or more other offenses will not be eligible for a waiver
- Anyone found trafficking, selling, or distributing narcotics, including marijuana, is not eligible for a waiver
- Anyone with three or more convictions related to driving while intoxicated, drugged, or impaired in the past five years prior to application will not be eligible
- Anyone convicted for five or more misdemeanors is not eligible
- Individuals who are unable to pass a drug or alcohol test or anyone with charges pending will not be eligible for a waiver
What Is The Maximum Age Limit For Each Branch Of The Military
It truly depends on whether or not you are a non-prior or prior service member, looking at enlisting into the active duty or reserve components, etc. In the United States military system, you may enlist into any branch at the age of 17 years old with parental consent, or 18 years old without parental consent.
Age waivers, although rare, are possible. Usually happening if one cannot be sent to basic training by their birthday, thus making them ineligible to enlist if they are then past the required ages, age waivers can be received for just a few months easily.
Branch | |
Service Academies | 23 |
In the United States Army, Army Reserves, and Army National Guard, the maximum age allowed to enlist and ship to basic training is 35 years old. The Army experimented for quite some time allowing anyone up to the age of 42 years old to enlist and complete basic training. On April 1st, 2011, they reverted this to the lower age limit.
In the United States Air Force, to enlist, you cannot be younger than 17 or older than 38 years of age. To join as an Officer, you cannot be younger than 18 or older than 39 years of age. To join as a healthcare, law or ministry professional, you cannot be younger than 18 or older than 48 years of age. In the Air Force Reserves, the maximum age is 34 years old. In the Air National Guard, the maximum age is 39 years old.
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Where Does Basic Training Take Place
For all full-time regular force candidates, basic training takes place at the Canadian Forces Leadership and Recruit School in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.
All part-time candidates joining their local Primary Reserve unit will undergo similar basic training objectives. Reserve units will conduct their Basic Training either at the local reserve unit location or at a Canadian Armed Forces training centre. Locations vary depending on units. Talk to a Primary Reserve unit recruiter for more information on their Basic Training program.
S For Joining The Military

Start by doing some research about your options for joining the military. Learn about the five active-duty branches and their part-time counterparts. Know the main differences between officers and enlisted members. And explore the career fields you can enter for each branch.
Once you know which branch youre considering, contact a recruiter. A recruiter will give you an overview and answer your questions about that service. If youre interested in more than one branch, contact a recruiter for each. If youre interested in joining as an officer, the recruiter will explain any options you may be eligible for.
If you decide to enlist, you will report to a military entrance processing station . Youll spend a day or two completing pre-enlistment steps. These include taking the ASVAB, having a physical exam, meeting with a career counselor, and if youre accepted,taking the oath of enlistment. From there youll receive orders for basic training, usually to start within a few weeks. If you enrolled in a delayed entry program, youll go home and get orders for basic training within a year.
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Air Force Raises Enlistee Age Limit From 27 To 39
WASHINGTON Thanks to a new Air Force policy announced Tuesday, enlisted recruits can now experience the joys of basic training in their late 30s.
The Air Force raised the maximum age for enlisted accession from 27 to 39, meaning it may now be the best choice for those who feel the call to military service later in life.
The maximum age for Army enlisted recruits is 35, while the Navy and Marines cap recruit ages at 34 and 28, respectively.
Under federal law, the oldest recruit any military branch can enlist is 42, although each service sets its own policy within that limit.
Annette Crawford, a spokeswoman for the Air Force Recruiting Service at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph, Texas, said officials would be watching to see whether the aches and pains of approaching middle age are too much for older recruits.
With the change, if we see a higher initial training attrition or increased physical injuries the Air Force recruiting commander can set a more restrictive age if necessary, she said.
The increased maximum age is for all Air Force enlisted occupations rather than being targeted at increasing accessions in certain areas, she said.
The new policy comes at a time of a declining defense budget, a shrinking military and falling recruiting goals, however. From 2009 to 2013, the number of recruits dropped from nearly 32,000 to just over 26,000. While recruiting goals for 2014 are still being finalized, theyre likely to fall again.
Can I Join The Army With Tattoos Are There Restrictions
Yes, you can join with tattoos, as long as they are not visible above your collar or below your cuff. The Army does not typically accept individuals with tattoos on their hands, wrists, face, or neck. Tattoos anywhere above the neckline or on the head, including in the mouth, ears, or eyelids, disqualifies a candidate. A tattoo waiver is available for candidates who have disqualifying tattoos. However, tattoos that are extremist, racist, sexist, or indecent are prohibited anywhere on a Soldiers body, without exception.
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Are There Height And Weight Restrictions What If I Am Too Short Or Heavy To Join
Yes, there are height and weight restrictions to join the Army, but they vary by age and gender. Reference the table below to find your minimum height and weight requirements.
Height In Inches
MENS HEIGHT AND WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS |
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233 | 236 |
For the most up-to-date information on these restrictions, talk to a recruiter or calculate your BMI requirements. If you do not meet the specific requirements, you can talk to a recruiter about next steps and possibly submit a height or weight waiver.
List Of Enlistment Age By Country
These are the enlistment ages for military service by country, according to the online CIA publication The World Factbook.
- Albania 19
- Algeria 17 , 19
- Angola 18 , 20 , 20
- Armenia 17 , 18
- Australia 18
- Austria 17 , 18
- Azerbaijan 17 , 18
- Cameroon 18
- Canada 18
- Chile 18
- People’s Republic of China 18
- Mauritania 16 , 18
- Mexico 16 , 18
- North Macedonia 18
- Norway 17 , 18 , 19
- Tonga 18
- Trinidad and Tobago 18
- Tunisia 18 , 20
- Turkey 18 , 21
- Turkmenistan 15 , 18
- United Arab Emirates 17 , 18
- United Kingdom 18
- United States 18 , 18 , 17
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How Old Do I Need To Be To Join The Regular Army
To join as a soldier you must:
- You must be at least 16 years old to join the Army as a soldier.
- You can start your application when you’re 15 years and 7 months.
- Be enlisted before your 36th birthday
- If you’re under 18, you’ll also need parental consent to join
To join as an officer you must:
- Be between 18 and 29
- Higher age limits apply for specialists, eg Doctors
- Over 30s are considered only by exception, on a case by case basis. Please contact us on to discuss your options
- Scholarship applicants must be under 18 on 1 August in the year of the award
Join Indian Army Physical Qualification Details Pdf 2021
Before applying for GD, Clerk, Tradesman, Technical and Nursing Assistant post check the Indian Army Physical criteria / Qualification and then fill the form.
To be a part of the largest national security force such as the Indian Army the candidates are not only required to be eligible must such other aspects are also a necessity.
Other necessities such as the physical eligibility of the candidates or the physical structure that is very important for every individual to be able to participate in the recruitment because the physical attributes of the candidates will be measured by the concerned authorities.
These physical attributes of the candidates will be measured for their height, weight, and chest as per the physical requirement that has been set as the physical standards to shortlist the individuals based on the Indian Army physical qualification.
However, there will be relaxations that will be provided to candidates on the basis of their category as per the relaxation set by the Indian Army.
So here below are the entire physical standard chart provided for candidates within various categories.
Physical Qualification Chart:-
The marital status of the candidates is also reviewed by the recruiting during the recruitment which will ensure their eligibility. So to apply for the recruitment the candidates must be Unmarried.
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