Things You'll Need:
- Phone
- Internet Connection
- Pen and paper
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Step 1
The first step to joining the Army is to go to military.com and sign up to receive information about the armed forces of your choice. This website allows you to find a recruiter in your area, answer questions and practise the entrance test. It will also let you know your physical requirements and what to expect in basic training and beyond.
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Step 2
Once you have signed up on military.com a recruiter will contact you to verify you are indeed interested in joining the Army.
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Step 3
After the recruiter has verified you indeed wish to join you will be given a few tasks to complete. These tasks include: taking the practise test; taking the exam and physical; getting your birth certificate and the birth certificates of any children you may have; your social security card; showing proof of GED or High School Diploma ( an official high school transcript can be used should you not have the diploma card); contact information of all immediate family members with phone numbers, full names, and address; criminal background check and drug test; employment history and every place you resided from birth to present day.
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Step 4
In order to complete some of these requests you may have to phone your high school and colleges for the needed transcripts. Some colleges will take email requests if you ask them to fax the unofficial document straight to the recruiter. Other colleges prefer you to call them, for this request is not common, but I had no trouble getting all four of my colleges to comply with the faxing of the transcripts. Be prepared to give your full name at the time you attended, dates you attended, your date of birth and social security number for verification it is indeed you. One college even called to verify the recruiter was indeed who he said he was prior to faxing to him. The only time you will need to leave you home is if you have to apply for a birth certificate or social security cards for these items are personal and for security reasons must be acquired in person.
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Step 5
Once you have all the needed documents your recruiter will pick up the items from you or will have received them via fax or email. During the process of gathering your information your recruiter will schedule an appointment for you to take a practise test with him, which he can administer in your home to you via his laptop, and then schedule you to take the test and physical at your nearest MEPS location. The recruiter will transport you to the center himself or pick you up and take you to a shuttle location to transport you there. You will be set up in a paid hotel room if both are scheduled at the same time. You will take the exam one day and take the physical the next day.
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Step 6
Upon completing the test and physical you will then pick your job based on your test scores, sign your paper work and unofficially swear in. After the recruiter has received confirmation you have passed your drug and other lab work you will complete all the paper work you have collected for him via paper and pen or documentation and then be scheduled for your official swearing in and shipment to basic training, all at no cost to you for a shuttle or the recruiter will take you back to the MEPS center.
