How Long Does It Take To Join The Army

Joining & Eligibility

Enlisting in the Military

Once you have talked to a recruiter, you'll prepare a date to visit a Military machine Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to finish the enlistment process.

The MEPS is a joint Service organization that determines an applicant's physical qualifications, aptitude and moral standards as prepare by each branch of military service. In that location are MEPS locations all over the land.

On This Folio

MEPS Visit Tips
Steps to Enlisting

Transcription

Military machine Archway Processing Station (MEPS) Overview

Length 2:56 Armed forces Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) Overview

Each MEPS is staffed with military and civilian professionals who carefully screen each bidder to ensure they run into the physical, academic and moral standards set by each Service.

A Day at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)

Length 5:34 A Day at the War machine Entrance Processing Station (MEPS)

See what it's like to become through each stride of the MEPS procedure, and observe out what's expected of new recruits.

Taking the Oath of Enlistment

Length 2:19 Taking the Oath of Enlistment

New recruits prepare to take the Oath of Enlistment at MEPS.

MEPS Visit Tips

Hither are a few things you should go along in heed for the visit:

Bring a Social Security menu, birth document and driver'south license
Remove piercings, and practice not article of clothing article of clothing with obscene images
If you wear either eyeglasses or contact lens, bring them along with your prescription, case and solution
Go a proficient night's slumber and make it early

You'll officially complete the process of joining the Military once you run into all of the Service requirements assessed at the MEPS. The procedure typically takes 1 to ii days, with food and lodging provided.

Private 1st Class Keegan Lewins

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Step ane: Take the Military Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

The ASVAB is a multiple-choice exam that helps determine the careers for which an individual is best suited. Both traditional pen-and-paper (also referred to as paper-and-pencil) exam and a figurer-based version are available. The computerized ASVAB takes approximately i and a half hours to consummate, the pen-and-newspaper version takes well-nigh three hours to consummate, and each have questions about standard school subjects like math, English, writing and scientific discipline. Each Service uses a custom combination of ASVAB results to produce scores related to different career fields. Alternatively, recruits may have the PiCAT, or Pending Internet Computerized Adaptive Exam, which is an untimed, unmonitored version of the ASVAB that can be taken online.

In addition, some loftier schools offer and administer the ASVAB test to their students. If you have taken the examination already, you should inform your recruiter and see if your results are still valid.

Cadet Brian Abrams

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Step 2: Pass the Physical Test

A recruiter will discuss concrete eligibility requirements with you beforehand. The concrete is a regular medical exam, similar to what you would receive from a family doctor. Some recruiters may conduct a brusque physical grooming (PT) exam with potential recruits equally well.

Examinations include:

Height and weight measurements
Hearing and vision examinations
Urine and claret tests
Drug and alcohol tests
Muscle group and articulation maneuvers
Specialized exam if required (pregnancy test for women, body fatty percentage test for those who are overweight, tests relating to any unusual medical history)

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Step 3: Meet With a Counselor and Determine a Career

At this betoken, a service enlistment counselor meets with you to find the right job specialty. A few different factors contribute to career selection:

Needs of the Service
Job availability
ASVAB score
Physical requirements (for example, a recruit needs normal color vision for some careers)
Recruit preference

The service enlistment counselor will also get over the enlistment agreement. It is important to sympathise this fully before signing. When you sign this agreement, you are making a serious commitment to the Military.

At this time, you will also be fingerprinted for your file, which is required for groundwork checks and security clearances.

Enlisting In The Military

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Step 4: Take the Oath of Enlistment

In one case your career has been determined, you are ready to take the Oath of Enlistment. In this argument, you vow to defend the United States Constitution and obey the Uniform Code of War machine Justice (UCMJ). Family members are invited to watch and take photos.

I, (proper noun), exercise solemnly swear (or assert) that I will back up and defend the Constitution of the U.s.a. against all enemies, strange and domestic; that I will bear truthful organized religion and allegiance to the aforementioned; and that I will obey the orders of the president of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Then help me God.

Cadet Paige Herbst

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Step five: Later on the MEPS

You lot'll do i of 2 things, depending on the terms of your enlistment:

Directly Send: Study to Basic Training shortly later on completing MEPS testing requirements. (Information technology varies based on job assignment and branch.) A recruiter will provide instructions on transportation to Basic Training at this time.
Delayed Entry Plan (DEP): Commit to Basic Grooming at a time in the future, generally inside one year. About recruits enter DEP before aircraft, including those who enlist before completing high school. Recruits enrolled in DEP may render to their homes until the time comes to report for duty.

Remember, a recruiter can answer any additional questions you may have nearly the enlistment process.