To enlist in the U.S. Army, meet eligibility, talk to a recruiter, take the ASVAB, clear MEPS, pick a job, sign, and ship to training.
Ready to serve and wondering how to enlist in the army without wasting months on guesswork? This guide lays out the process in plain steps, so you know what to expect from the first chat with a recruiter to the day you ship to basic training.
Eligibility At A Glance
Before you start paperwork, make sure you meet the baseline rules. The snapshot below covers age, citizenship, fitness, education, testing, and background standards you’ll run into during enlistment.
| Item | Standard | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 17–35 (17 with parental consent) | Some prior-service paths vary by age and service needs. |
| Citizenship | U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident | Non-citizens need a green card; certain jobs require citizenship. |
| Education | High school diploma or GED | Diploma opens more jobs; GED may need higher ASVAB. |
| ASVAB | AFQT score that meets the job | Higher scores unlock more career fields and enlistment bonuses. |
| Medical | Meet DoD medical standards | MEPS screens history, vision, hearing, and more. |
| Fitness | Height/weight and basic conditioning | Expect weigh-in and simple movement checks at MEPS. |
| Background | Moral and legal standards | Criminal history is reviewed; waivers exist case-by-case. |
| Dependents | Limits may apply | Number of dependents can affect eligibility and waivers. |
How to Enlist in the Army: Step-By-Step
1) Start With A Recruiter
Find a local Army recruiting station or request a call online. A recruiter answers eligibility questions, checks quick items like age, education, citizenship, and gives you pre-screen forms. Be honest on medical and legal history; every item gets verified later at MEPS.
2) Prep For The ASVAB
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) measures math, verbal, and technical skills. Your AFQT number is the gate to enlistment, and line scores decide which jobs you can sign. Give yourself two to four weeks of focused study. Use the official ASVAB program page for sample questions, then drill weak areas so you have real choice when picking an MOS.
3) Complete Pre-Screening
Your recruiter submits a medical prescreen and background pre-check. Expect questions about surgeries, prescriptions, vision correction, asthma, ADHD, and any arrests or charges. Honest disclosure helps the team pull records up front so you don’t stall later.
4) Visit MEPS
The Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) visit is a full day or two. You’ll verify identity, take a physical, provide fingerprints, and finish enlistment tests if needed. Bring valid ID, Social Security card, diploma or transcripts, and any medical records your recruiter asked you to collect.
5) Choose Your Job (MOS)
Once qualified, you’ll sit with a career counselor to review available jobs tied to your scores and ship dates. Read the job descriptions, training length, duty locations, bonus offers, and contract options. Ask about clearance needs, physical demands, and civilian transferability.
6) Sign Your Contract
When you pick an MOS, you’ll review the contract. Check length of service, bonuses, option for Airborne or other training, and your ship date. You’ll raise your right hand for the oath, then either enter a delayed entry status or head to basic training on your date.
7) Ship To Training
On ship day, you return to MEPS for final checks and travel to the training base. Keep all documents handy, stay hydrated, and follow the packing list from your recruiter. You’ll start reception before Basic Combat Training (BCT) and then move on to your job school (AIT).
Enlisting In The Army: Rules And Requirements
Age And Consent
The standard age window is 17–35. Seventeen-year-olds need a parent or guardian to sign. Some prior-service paths differ based on break-in-service and total years of service.
Citizenship And Clearance
You can enlist as a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident. Certain MOS options require a clearance, which usually needs citizenship. If your green card is new, budget extra time for background record checks.
Education And Credentials
A high school diploma opens the widest set of roles. A GED is accepted for many options, but you may need higher scores. College credits can help with rank on entry; bring transcripts to MEPS.
ASVAB And Line Scores
Your AFQT number clears you to enlist; line scores decide the job. Study smart: shore up arithmetic reasoning, word knowledge, and math knowledge. Timed practice helps with pacing.
Medical Screening And Waivers
MEPS follows DoD medical standards when deciding qualification. Some conditions are disqualifying, while others can be waived based on history and current status. If you’ve had surgery, bring operative reports. If you have glasses, carry your prescription. If you use an inhaler or have ever been treated for attention-related conditions, expect detailed questions and records requests. You can review the current DoD medical standards to see how common issues are evaluated.
Fitness And Body Composition
You’ll be measured for height and weight. If you’re over the table weight, a tape measurement may be used. A brisk walking program, basic strength work, and smart nutrition in the weeks ahead of MEPS can make the difference between a go or a reschedule.
Background Checks And Legal Issues
Recruiters run checks with your consent. Minor issues can be resolved; serious offenses can be disqualifying. Bring court documents for anything beyond a simple ticket. Never hide incidents—omissions create delays and can end a contract.
What To Expect At MEPS
Documents You Should Bring
- Valid government photo ID and Social Security card
- Birth certificate or passport
- High school diploma or GED; college transcripts if any
- Medical records your recruiter requested
- Eyeglasses and prescription
- Direct deposit information if told to bring it
The Physical
A provider reviews your history, checks vision and hearing, and performs a basic exam with movement checks. Be ready to step through range-of-motion drills and a quiet room hearing test. Answer questions clearly and stick to facts.
Testing And Job Counseling
If you still need to take the ASVAB, you’ll complete it at MEPS or a designated test site. After medical clearance, a counselor reviews open jobs that match your scores and ship windows. Take notes and don’t rush; you’ll live with the contract you sign.
The Oath And Delayed Status
Once a job is chosen and the contract is set, you’ll swear the oath. Many applicants enter a delayed status with a set ship date. Your recruiter can connect you with prep materials to get ready for basic training standards.
Training Pipeline After You Enlist
Reception And Basic Combat Training
After travel, you’ll spend several days in reception for gear issue, haircuts, medical checks, and admin. Then BCT begins. Expect classroom time, range time, field weeks, and daily physical training. Stay coachable and focus on hydration, recovery, and foot care.
Advanced Individual Training (AIT)
AIT length depends on your MOS. Some schools run a few weeks; others span months. Academic effort matters—many MOS courses stack exams, and retests are limited.
First Unit And Beyond
Upon graduation, you’ll move to your first duty station. In-processing covers finance, housing, and unit check-ins. Ask mentors about career development, college benefits, and credentials that translate to civilian roles.
Timeline, Costs, And Tips
How Long The Process Takes
Most applicants move from first recruiter chat to ship day in one to four months. The biggest swings come from medical records, ASVAB retesting, and job availability. If you want a specific MOS or location, you may wait longer for a matching ship date.
Costs You’ll Face
Enlistment itself doesn’t charge fees. You may pay for document copies, travel to appointments if not covered, or a physical exam repeat if a civilian clinic is required for a specialty consult. Keep receipts when asked; some items can be handled through the recruiter’s office.
Smart Prep Moves
- Study a little each day for the ASVAB; timed drills beat marathon sessions.
- Walk or jog, add push-ups and core work, and clean up sleep.
- Gather medical and legal documents early to avoid MEPS delays.
- Ask your recruiter to explain every line of the contract before you sign.
- Set up banking and plan for travel days so ship week runs smooth.
| Step | What Happens | Typical Timing |
|---|---|---|
| Recruiter Contact | Eligibility check and prescreen | 1–2 weeks |
| ASVAB Prep/Test | Study and testing | 2–4 weeks |
| MEPS | Physical, testing, job counseling | 1–2 days |
| Contract/Oath | Sign and set ship date | Same day at MEPS |
| Delayed Status | PT and admin prep | 2–12 weeks |
| Ship To BCT | Travel and reception | 1 week |
| AIT | Job training school | 4–52 weeks |
Common Eligibility Scenarios
Non-Citizens
Lawful permanent residents can enlist. Some jobs, clearances, and commissioning paths are limited to citizens.
Selective Service Registration
Male applicants ages 18–25 must register to keep access to benefits tied to registration. Register online ahead of MEPS if you’re in that age group.
Medical Conditions
Plenty of conditions are compatible with service. Bring records and be candid. If a condition needs a waiver, your recruiter will submit the packet. Timelines vary with the type of waiver and supporting documents.
Changing Jobs After Signing
Contract changes are rare before ship day and depend on availability. Ask all questions and read every clause before you sign. If a new job opens later, your counselor can advise.
Bottom Line: Enlist With Confidence
You came here to learn how to enlist in the army and make the path clear. Check eligibility, study for the ASVAB, get your records in order, move through MEPS, and take time with job choices. Careful prep now pays off when you hit the ground at basic training.
Use the links above for testing details and medical standards to stay ahead of the process.