Hello, I'm considering a military career after graduation. I've heard that some branches of the military are harder to get into than others. Can anybody offer some insights into which branches these might be and why? What sort of qualifications or criteria are they looking for?
Every branch of the U.S. military has different requirements related to age, education, physical fitness, and citizenship, among others. However, all branches conduct a thorough assessment of applicants’ aptitude, fitness, moral integrity, and medical readiness before acceptance.
First, let's look at the six branches: Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force.
The Army is the largest branch and typically has the most relaxed standards among the branches. The minimum requirements include being a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, being 17-34 years old, and having a high school diploma, though some exceptions may be made. You’d also need to pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and a military entrance medical exam.
The Marine Corps, known for its stringent physical requirements, requires applicants to be 17-28 years old, have a high school diploma, and pass both the ASVAB and Initial Strength Test, which measures physical abilities.
The Navy also requires a high school diploma and passing ASVAB scores, with applicants needing to be 17-39 years old. They also require an entrance medical exam, but physical requirements may vary depending on the duty assignment.
The Air Force is sometimes considered tougher to get into due to its heavy emphasis on technological skills and education. The age requirements are between 17 and 39 and applicants must have a high school diploma. Similar to other branches, you must pass the ASVAB and a military entrance medical exam.
The Coast Guard, being the smallest branch, can be highly selective. Their requirements include being between 17-31 years old, having a high school diploma, scoring well on the ASVAB, and meeting rigorous physical fitness standards.
Lastly, the Space Force, being the newest branch focused on space operations, mainly takes transfers from the Air Force although direct enlistment has started recently. The requirements are similar to the Air Force’s, with an emphasis on technological proficiency.
Keep in mind that officer programs typically have additional requirements, such as a college degree and taking the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) test.
When considering which branch to pursue, think about your own interests and skills. Technology-centered branches may require additional academic credentials, whereas service branches with rigorous fieldwork may emphasize physical fitness. These requirements are not static and may change depending on the needs of the military and the specific job within each branch. Remember, this is a general overview and specific job fields (MOS/Rate/AFSC) within each branch might have different requirements.
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