Eligibility Requirements

Military and service academy minimum entrance age requirements are 17 with parental consent or 18 without parental consent. Service academy applicants must meet the age requirements as of July 1 of the year of entry.

Physical requirements vary greatly across each Service branch. Generally speaking, potential recruits should be in good physical condition, of appropriate weight and able to pass a standard physical screening prior to entry. For specific information, please contact a recruiter.

Success in any branch of the Military depends on a good education. A high school diploma is most desirable. Candidates with a GED (General Education Development) certificate can enlist, but some Services may limit their opportunities. It is very difficult to be considered a serious candidate without either a high school diploma or an accepted alternative credential.

For safety and security purposes, and to uphold the high standards of the Military, all Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) applicants are asked to complete a background check. Generally, felons or individuals with several convictions on their record are not eligible to join the Military. However, each branch has its own policy and, in certain cases, may grant moral conduct waivers or felony waivers:

Army
Felons and individuals with multiple convictions cannot join, but waivers are available on a case-by-case basis.

Marine Corps
All interested individuals must clear a criminal background check and have no felony convictions.

Navy
Individuals who have been convicted of a felony as an adult or juvenile for offenses involving violence, domestic violence, illegal drugs or sexual misconduct will be disqualified.

Air Force
A criminal record can impact enlistment eligibility (this includes an excessive number of traffic-related violations within a one-year period).

Coast Guard
The Recruiting Command can authorize case-by-case waivers.

If you have additional questions or would like further clarification, contact a recruiter to discuss your particular situation in more detail.

U.S. citizens or Legal Permanent Residents (people who have valid alien registration form, I-551 or green card, from the US Immigration and Citizenship services). For more information on citizenship and naturalization, visit the USCIS website.

Properly documented noncitizens may enlist. However, opportunities may be limited. Contact a recruiter for more advice on a specific situation.

For enlistment purposes, the United States includes Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.

For almost all male U.S. citizens and male aliens living in the United States who are ages 18 through 25, there is a requirement to register with the Selective Service.