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Q: What are the current requirements to join the U.S. Army?

A: You must be between the ages of 17 and 35, a U.S. Citizen or resident alien with the I-551 card (green card), a HS senior or graduate, must be single with no children or married with 2 or less children, pass the ASVAB and enlistment physical. You cannot be undergoing or have any pending civil actions, as some law violations may be disqualifying. These are the basic qualifications, but if you have questions as to your situation, please email us at: GoArmy@usarec.army.mil.


Q: I want to be an officer in the Army. What are the requirements and process?

A: Regular Army -To submit a packet for Officer Candidate School for Active Duty, you must have a 4 year degree or be a senior in college, a U.S. Citizen, single with no children or married with 2 or less children (married with more than two children, waiver may be considered), be at least 19 and not reached your 29th birthday, and must not have questionable moral character. You must be selected by the OCS board, For more information go to: https://www.goarmy.com/ocs

Army Reserve-To apply for the Reserve OCS, you must be a U.S. Citizen, must have a baccalaureate degree (there are exceptions/waivers that can be applied for regarding the education requirement), an ASVAB score of GT 110 or higher, pass the medical physical, be at least 19 and not reached your 29th birthday and must not have questionable moral character. You must be selected by the OCS board and be eligible for regular retirement by age 62. You must also have an acceptance letter from the Reserve unit where you want to be assigned.

Army ROTC- If you are a prospective or current college student, but you don’t hold a degree, Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) may be an option for you. For more details on ROTC, visit: http://www.goarmy.com/rotc/


Q: Are you currently accepting waivers? What can be waivered?

A: Your recruiter will be able to explain this process as it pertains to you. Waivers are nothing more than exceptions to policy for a disqualifying factor. Waivers can be for moral, administrative, and medical disqualifications. They are considered on a case by case basis and are not guaranteed to be approved. This requires additional documentation on your part and adds to the processing time.


Q: Are you currently accepting prior service?

A: Prior Service applicants who desire to reenlist into the Army must meet all the basic qualifications. Prior service will have their re-entry codes evaluated to determine if they require a waiver to enlist. E-1 through E-3 are open with no restrictions on previous MOS. E-4 and E-5 is limited to very few MOS’s with no training into a new MOS, and E-6 through E-9 have no vacancies or training in any new MOS.

Q: How long will it be before I can go to Basic Training?

A: This depends on the job you select. Your contract will have your enlistment options and the day you ship to basic training.


Q: I didn’t do so well on the ASVAB and I want to take it again. How long do I have to wait before taking it again?

A: Applicants with a valid test score are not authorized to retest for the purpose of attempting to qualify for better incentives or to change their job.
Applicants without a valid test score are authorized to retest:

1st Retest- No earlier than 1 calendar month from the last test date.
2nd Retest- No earlier than 1 calendar month from the last test date.
3rd Retest- No earlier than 6 calendar months from the last test date.

Qualifying test scores are valid for a period of 2 years. You can go to www.march2success.com to assist with improving your test taking skills.


Q: My recruiter told me that the job I want isn’t available. Should I wait until it opens, and how can I find out when slots are available?

A: Jobs come available based on the needs of the Army. No one knows when a certain job will become available. When you go to the Military Entrance Processing Station, you need to have more than one job in mind. You may be amazed at what jobs you may qualify for when you sit down with the Guidance Counselor. Just be open-minded.


Q: If my friend and I join at the same time, can we go to Basic together?

A: The best course of action for you and your buddy to ensure that you both go to Basic Training and Job Training together is to enlist on the same day. When you arrive at the Military Entrance Processing Station and sit down with your Job Counselor for the United States Army, just tell him or her that you and your friend want to enlist together. Then you can see how many exciting and interesting options may become available for both you and your buddy. They will do everything possible to make that happen, but there are no guarantees.


Q: Are there any jobs in the Army where you don’t have to go to Iraq or Afghanistan?

A: All jobs are deployable.


Q: When I enlisted, I noticed some people were going to Basic Training as E-2 and E-3’s. How can I get promoted before I go?

A: There are a variety of ways to get promoted, a few examples are: college credits, referrals, JROTC and ROTC participation, and completing your Basic Training Task List.


Q: I’m interested in joining the Army, but I’m not sure if I want to commit for 4-5 years. Are there any programs with shorter enlistments?

A: Yes we have the following term of enlistments: 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 years. It all depends on the job you select. The term of enlistment will be linked with the job you select.


Q: I’m graduating in June and I want to join the Army right after, but I’m only 17. Can I join since I’m out of school, or do I have to wait until I turn 18?

A: Yes, as long as you have parental consent.


Q: I’m having a problem with my Recruiter. Who can I talk to if the problem I’m having doesn’t get fixed?

A: If you feel that an issue was not properly addressed by your Recruiter, you can request to speak to the next member of the chain of command, such as the Station Commander, 1st Sergeant, or the Company Commander.


Q: What are the current benefits for enlisting in the Army?

A: As a Soldier, you will receive pay and entitlements that include a base pay, meal, and housing. You and (if married) your family can receive medical and dental care at little or no cost. There are also education benefits available, such as the Montgomery G.I. Bill, Army College Fund, tuition assistance, and student loan repayment Visit http://www.goarmy.com/benefits/index.jsp for more details.


Q: I’m interested in volunteering for Recruiting Duty. Where can I find more information?

A: You can find out more information by going to the Recruit the Recruiter website at http://www.usarec.army.mil/hq/recruiter, sending an email to RTR-Team@USAREC.army.mil , or by calling (502)626-0633.


Q: I just found out that I’m going to be a Recruiter. If I have questions about the process or my assignment, who can I contact?

A: The Recruit the Recruiter Team can help you with these questions as well. Just email them at RTR-Team@USAREC.army.mil, or by call (502) 626-0633.