What Are the Requirements for Joining the Navy?

The military has been a source of career development for those who want a more vested academic and work experience. Joining the U.S. Army, Navy or Air Force affords men and women the opportunity to learn valuable skills while serving their country. Yet devotion is not enough to be accepted. Like other military branches, there are requirements for pursuing a career with the Navy.

Significance

Although the Navy offers many training opportunities, new recruits must possess certain qualities or have the potential to learn the skills provided and be successful within the Navy.

Types

In order to enlist in the U.S. Navy, you must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien. You must be between 17 and 34 years old. If you are 17 years old, you must have parental consent to pursue your enlistment. You must take and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test and pass a Military Entrance Processing System medical exam. For some career paths within the Navy, you must at least hold a high school diploma. However, there are some positions that do require that you hold a degree (see References section).

Features

The ASVAB is composed of 10 individual tests that are compiled to produce three aptitude scores in verbal, math and academic ability. The 10 areas tested by the ASVAB are word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, general science, auto and shop information, mechanical comprehension, electronics information, numerical operations and coding speed. The medical exam is similar to a standard physical exam in which your current health is assessed along with your health history and your family's health history. Taken together, an assessment is made to determine your propensity to meet the demands of basic training upon acceptance.

Considerations

Women are encouraged to enlist and are provided equal opportunities with the exception of serving with the Navy Seals or on submarines.

Benefits

Some benefits to joining the U.S. Navy include a competitive annual salary, paid vacation, training, health insurance while on active duty and educational or tuition assistance.

Prevention/Solution

If you have additional questions on the requirements, locate a Navy recruiter and request an appointment (see References section). He can answer specific questions about the requirements and help you get the process started if you choose to move forward with enlistment.

Resources

• Official Navy Website