About Enlisting in the Army
The Army is one of the branches of our Armed Forces and has more than 675,000 soldiers serving in its ranks. Enlisting in the Army requires a contractual commitment to serve for a specified time period.
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Basics
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To enlist in the Army, the first step is speaking with a recruiter. The recruiter can provide information on the enlistment process, training and available jobs.
Requirements
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The U.S. Army states all potential soldiers must be between 17 and 41 years old, possess a high school diploma (or equivalent), be a U.S. citizen or permanent alien, be in good health and be in good moral standing.
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Testing
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Every potential soldier will take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), a multiple choice test that determines which jobs will be best for you. At the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS), you will undergo a complete physical, choose your job, sign your contract and be sworn in as a soldier.
Training
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All enlisted personnel attend nine weeks of basic training to learn needed skills. After graduation, each soldier attends Advanced Individualized Training (AIT) to learn his Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) or job. Some soldiers will have additional schooling before being assigned to their permanent duty station.
Commitment
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A minimum of a three-year active duty commitment is required. The total commitment is for eight years of service with the remaining years after active duty being served on Individual Ready Reserve (IRR) status. During IRR, the Army can recall soldiers as needed.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit U.S. Military Staff
