Understanding US Military branch minimum requirements

Hey guys. Lately I've been giving some thought to possibly joining the US military after high school. I know each branch has its own set of requirements and criteria. Can anyone break down the minimum requirements for each US military branch? I'd really appreciate any information you could offer. I'm just starting to explore this path so any tips or insights would be helpful.

First of all, it's admirable you're considering serving your country in the military. I'm glad to provide some basic information about the minimum eligibility criteria for each branch, but please note that it would still be beneficial to visit the official websites of each branch for the most up-to-date and comprehensive details.

1. Army: You must be a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, between the ages of 17-35, possess a high school diploma (GED is accepted but might limit job opportunities), and meet physical, legal, and moral standards.

2. Marine Corps: Similar to the Army, you need to be a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, aged between 17-28, and have a high school diploma. The physical, legal, and moral standards are also in place, with certain standards being known to be more demanding in this branch.

3. Navy: You need to be a U.S. citizen or a green card holder, aged between 17-41, and should have a high school diploma (GED may be accepted in some cases). Likewise, applicants have to meet physical, legal, and moral standards.

4. Air Force: You need to be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident, aged between 17-42, and should have a high school diploma or equivalent. The Air Force also requires applicants to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.

5. Coast Guard: The criteria include U.S. citizenship, age between 17-42, possession of a high school diploma, and the ability to pass an entrance exam, in addition to fulfilling physical, legal, and moral standards.

6. Space Force: As this is the newest branch, the criteria are dynamic. However, it was initially staffed by transfers from the Air Force, and the current requirements are similar to that branch, there is no direct enlistment as of now.

Also, take into account that each branch offers opportunities for officership, which typically does require a college degree. If you're considering an officer role in any of these branches, experts suggest looking into Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarships.

Remember, it's crucial to meet with a recruiter from each branch you're interested in. This will give you a more precise understanding of what each service requires and can offer you. These initial requirements are just the start—the process of joining the military is highly personalized, with each service and job having different benchmarks for physical fitness, academic scores, criminal history, and medical conditions.