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How to Join the Army

Contributor
By eHow Contributing Writer
(41 Ratings)

"Be all that you can be" may be nearly cliché now, but the U.S. Army truly offers an opportunity for education, skill training, adventure and public service for thousands of young people.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy
Instructions

Things You'll Need:

  1. Step 1

    Use the Internet. No better resource exists to learn about Army history and opportunities.

  2. Step 2

    Think about the Army's ultimate purpose - defending our national interests through warfare. Every soldier, including the noncombatant, is dedicated to that purpose.

  3. Step 3

    Remember to discuss your interest in the Army with someone who has served, such as parents or older family members.

  4. Step 4

    Listen closely to their personal experiences.

  5. Step 5

    Realize you may be devoting four years to an assignment away from your family, friends and home.

  6. Step 6

    Consider whether you want to request special training when joining.

  7. Step 7

    Visit an Army recruiter.

  8. Step 8

    Take notes.

  9. Step 9

    Ask for literature.

  10. Step 10

    Establish rapport with the recruiter. Recruiters have quotas, but you have a right to all the information you need to make an informed decision.

  11. Step 11

    Make sure you clearly specify your desire to seek assignment to a particular military occupation specialty.

  12. Step 12

    Ask what must be done to assure assignment to preferred training.

  13. Step 13

    Ask your school counselor or the Army recruiter to schedule you for the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test.

  14. Step 14

    Remember, all military services administer physical tests and do drug screening.

  15. Step 15

    Understand also that you will be subjected to a criminal background check.

  16. Step 16

    Make no legal commitment until you're absolutely sure of your decision to join.

Tips & Warnings
  • A successful and enjoyable Army career results when you do your best every day and treat military life as an adventure.
  • The Army is large and provides a chance for rapid promotion to those who work hard.
  • The Army has a two-year enlistment option. Some Reserve service is required.
  • The Army also offers enlistment bonuses and funds for your college education.
  • Keep in touch with your family after enlistment via the Internet.
  • The ASVAB Test is available in its computerized version only at a Military Entrance Processing Station. It takes from 1 to 3 hours to complete, and results can be available immediately. You must score at least 31 out of 100 to be eligible. Higher scores provide better opportunities.
  • Military services want to be a drug-free environment. Expect regular drug screening.

Comments  

| View All 18 Comments
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on 3/26/2009 Good article...If anyone has any interest in the Navy, I posted an article based on my experience. I was in the Navy for five years. --- www.squidoo.com/joiningthenavy

kojak911 said

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on 2/24/2009 YOU CAN HAVE ALL YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED BY LOGGING ONTO http://www.goarmyrecruiting.com

lilcreep24 said

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on 12/8/2008 My name is Robert Tracy Nichole M. Bennett, I'm an undergraduate of Criminology and I worked as a security guard here in the Philippines.It would be a great pleasure for me if I could join the U.S. Army.So I could serve and protect the United States of America.My step-father is a retired U.S. Navy.I want to follow his footsteps, i want to serve and protect the U.S.A. just like my step-father.I'm 19 yrs. old,and i live at 255 Manggahan Ext. Sta. Rita Olongapo City Philippines 02200 (zip code).my E-mail add is lilcreep_23@hotmail.com.And my Contact # is 047-223-8026.Thank you

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on 10/31/2008 am a 23years old man who lives in Ghana and a student of the takoradi polytechnic(civil engineering)and i will be very proud if am allowed to join the US navy.am secondary aim is to defending the national interests through warfare since US is one of the greatest country on this planet,their national interest musr be protected to puch the country to the next generation as leaders of the world.This is my email aminumamoud@yahoo.com and i will be thankfulang greatful if am giving the opportunity

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on 9/21/2008 The Army is the only branch of service that is able to guarantee a specific job prior to signing any contract. It is solely based upon qualifications via the ASVAB and class space available for that particular Military Occupational Skill (MOS) or job. This is regardless of the would be soldier's score on the ASVAB. The Air force only guarantees a small amount of training and gives it that guarantee to those that have scored in the highest percentile of the ASVAB. The Department of Defense (DoD) publishes the "Profile" magazine which compares all the branches of service next to each other. They are all basically the same with the exception that because the Army is the largest branch, it has deeper pockets. This means more money for cash enlistment bonuses, guaranteed training, promotions, and educational benefits. The only thing that the Air force has going for them in terms of recruitmen

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