Joining the United States Military
- Enlistment and Re-Enlist...
- Joining the Air Force (249)
- Joining the Army (440)
- Joining the Coast Guard (15)
- Joining the Marine Corps (126)
- Joining the Navy (149)
- Recruiting Statistics (41)
Do You Think Joining the Military is Too Hard>?
Reader responses: Is joining the US Military too hard?
Reader's Respond -- Are Military Enlistment Standards too tough, too …
Reader's Respond -- Are Military Enlistment Standards too tough, too lax, or just right?
Active Duty from the Guard or Reserves
Information and procedures about "transfering" from the National Guard or Reserve Military Forces to the Active Duty Forces.
Age Requirements to Become a Military Pilot
Each of the military services have different age requirements for individuals who wish to become military pilots or navigators. Here are the requirements for the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard.
ASVAB Sample Questions
The ASVAB contains nine separately timed sub-tests. Here are examples of questions found in each of the ASVAB sub-test areas.
ASVAB Study Guides - Before You Buy
The Armed Forces Vocational Appitude Battery (ASVAB) is the test the military uses to determine whether or not one has the mental appitude to join the military, and -- if so -- what job(s) they may qualify for. There are many study guides available on the market which proport to help individuals improve their ASVAB test results.
Boot Camp Attrition Rates
Current "failure" rates for the respective military service's basic training programs.
Boot Camp Challenge
Boot Camp Challenge is a continuing interactive story, which features our hero (Private G. I. Joe), who is trying his best (with your help) to make it through a fictional U.S. Military boot camp (military basic training). So, join along and see if you can give Private Joe a little help dealing with other recruits, KP duty, and the care and feeding of Drill Sergeants.
Civilian Equivalents to Military Jobs
Not every military job has a civilian equivalent. But, for those jobs that do, here is where you can find out what that equivalent is.
DEP Privileges
Members of the Delayed Entry Program are now eligible to shop at base exchanges and take advantage of certain other Services' activities.
Dormitories
The 20/20 plan, now known as the One Plus One Plan was approved in 1997. The current plan calls for all of the services to offer a single room (no roommate) to all single enlisted personnel by the year 2005. The plan will then move to the next phase, which will include giving all single enlisted personnel a two-room "suite."
ASVAB Study Guide Top 10 Picks
The Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is the test used by the United States Military to determine eligibility to join, as well as job qualifications. Using a Study Guide to help prepare can increase ASVAB test scores significantly. Here are some of the best guides available.
Drug Tests
Think you can beat a military drug test (urinalysis)? Think again. Here's how the test works, and why it's so hard to beat.
US Military Enlistment Standards
One would think that age to enlist in the US military would be a simple category. One is either old enough, or too old, right? Unfortunately, it doesn't quite work that way.
Drug Tests
Detailed explanation about how the military runs their urinalysis program, including how the results can be used, and DOD minimum detection levels.
Employment & Reemployment Rights.
The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA) was signed on October 13, 1994. The act provides employment and reemployment rights for individuals who leave their jobs due to military service, whether such service is active duty, the Reserves, or the National Guard.
Employment Protection
Did you know that if you quit your job to join the military, in most cases, your employer must hire you back when you get out? The Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act protects the job rights of individuals who voluntarily or involuntarily leave employment positions to undertake military service.
Enlistment Waivers
This is one of the best general descriptions of the military enlistment waiver process I have seen.
Enlistment/Reenlistment Contract
Ever wonder exactly what is on that military enlistment/reenlistment contract?
Laser Eye Surgery Waivers
Department of Defense officials have implemented a policy allowing individuals who have had two common forms of laser eye surgery to enter the military with a medical waiver. Individuals who had corrective eye surgery were previously ineligible for military service.
Laser Eye Surgery
With only a few exceptions, active duty soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines are allowed to have their vision corrected with laser eye surgery and not worry about it affecting their careers.
MEPS Locations
Locations of the 65 Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) located throughout the United States.
Military Medical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, or Induction
These pages list medical conditions which are disqualifying for entry into the United States Armed Forces. The information is derived directly from Department of Defense (DOD) regulations and instructions.
Moment of Truth
Recruits (from all of the services) are briefed about the "Moment of Truth." This is the moment of time (usually at the final departure from MEPs to boot camp, or during boot camp inprocessing) where recruits can "come clean" about anything they lied about or failed to disclose in their enlistment documents.
Security Clearance Approval/Disapproval Guidelines
Under Executive Order (issued by the President of the United States), the military services must use certain factors when determining whether or not to approve a security clearance.
Security Clearance Questionaire
Standard Form (SF) 86 - Security Clearance Questionaire. This is the form one must complete in order to qualify for a security clearance.
Separation & Reenlistment Codes
Reenlistment Eligibility Codes & Separation Codes determine whether or not one may reenlist or enlist at a later time in another military service.
The 2nd MEPS Experience
Most people who enlist on active duty make two trips to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). The first trip is for initial qualification determination, and enlisting in the Delayed Enlistment Program (DEP). The second trip is for actually enlisting on active duty, and shipping off to basic training.
Enlistment Standards
Do you have what it takes to enlist in the United States Military? Find out in our special article about the general qualifications needed to enlist in the United States Armed Forces.
The Perfect University
The perfect university has high academic standards, moral discipline, free tuition, free meals, and free room and board. Impossible? Nope. The United Statres Military Service Academies fit the bill perfectly.
Two Year Enlistments
Congress wants all of the military services to offer a shorter active duty enlistment program. As such, Congress passed a requirement as part of the FY 2003 Military Appropriations Act which requires all of the services to develop a shortened enlistment program by October 1, 2003.
Vaccinations
Vaccinations given to members of the United States Military in Basic Training, routine immunizations throughout the career, and special vaccinations for alert forces and deploying forces.
What's in an Oath?
Should there be consequences for breaking your oath of enlistment?
Yet Another MEPS Experience
My good friend, Courtney Elmore, recently completed her first trip to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) as part of her enlistment into the United States Air Force. Here is a great article about her experience.
Surviving Military Basic Training
All about Military Basic Training. Includes a detailed description of what you can expect in the five military boot camps, as well as a few tips to help you "survive."
Hardest and Easiest Military Jobs -- Readers Respond
What readers think are the hardest and easiest military careers.
Questionare: Your Opinion on the ASVAB
Readers who have taken the ASVAB can give their opinions and advice about the test.
Transferring from Guard/Reserve to Active Duty
Have you transferred from the National Guard or Reserves to active duty? Share your experiences.
Age Requirements to Become A Military Pilot
Detailed information about the age requirements to become a pilot in the U.S. Military
Asthma,ADD, and ADHD in the Military
Readers share their views about the military policies concerning asthma, ADD, and ADHD.
How to Train for Special Forces Entry
The entry testing for admission to the various military special forces like the British and Australian SAS and the US SEALS and Deltas (presumably) is rigorous and demanding. Functional fitness for these special forces roles requires physical strength and endurance, plus an extraordinary level of psychic ability as well.
Readers Respond -- Should Non-Citizens be Allowed to Join the U.S. Military?
Readers Respond -- Should Non-Citizens be Allowed to Join the U.S. Military?
Military Weapons
A description of the weapons used to train United States Military memebers during basic combat training and boot camp.
Readers Respond to Air Force jobs, Cyber Systems Operations
Reader shares his experience with Air Force job, Cyber Systems Operations
Readers Respond to MILITARY BASIC TRAINING
Reader shares his experience with military boot camp.
Military Buddy Enlistments
Have you ever used one of the military services buddy enlistment programs? Were you satisfied with the process?
Joining the Military as a Non-U.S. Citizen
I get lots of email from non-U.S. citizens asking about joining the U.S. Military. It may surprise some of you to learn that you do not have to be a U.S. citizen in order to join the U.S. Military, but there are certain restrictions.
ASVAB Sample Questions
The ASVAB contains nine seperately scored subtests. Here is a short description and example question for each ASVAB subtest.