Although each service has different requirements for Officer and Enlisted ranks, most begin with this basic framework.

Enlisted:

• Join with high school diplomas (or equivalents)
• Fill office, transportation, mechanical, human service, and combat jobs
• Make up about 85-percent of service personnel*
• Servicemember with pay grades E-1 through E-10

Officers:

• Join with four-year college degrees or better
• Fill managerial, professional, and technical jobs
• Include doctors, nurses, lawyers, engineers, pilots, etc.
• Make up about 15-percent of service personnel*
• Servicemember with pay grades O-1 through O-10

* 2006, U.S. Dept. of Labor