To enlist in the Army Reserve
you must be:
- Between the
ages of 17–39
- A U.S. citizen or registered alien - U.S. Citizens or Permanent Resident
Aliens (people who have an INS I-151/I-551 "Green Card") may join the
U.S. Military
- Healthy
and in good physical condition
- In good moral standing
You do not have to have prior military service to join
the Army Reserves. How do you join the Reserves? There are two ways.
- You can enlist or
- You can become an officer.
You can join the Reserves as an Officer through
Success in any branch of the Military depends
on a good education, and a high school diploma is most desirable. Candidates
with a GED can enlist, but some services may limit opportunities. It is very
difficult to be considered a serious candidate without either a high school diploma
or accepted alternative credential. In any case, staying in school is important
for entering the Military.
As part of the entrance process for any service, prior to Boot Camp, you will
receive a physical exam. During that exam you will be asked about your overall
health.
A criminal record may disqualify you from military service. If you have a
criminal record you need to talk to a recruiter in order to evaluate your particular
situation.
Non-citizens may enlist, but cannot reenlist (extend their enlistment beyond
their first term of service) unless they become naturalized U.S. citizens. However,
after service of three years, additional residency requirements for citizenship
can be waived. The Military does not assist in immigration naturalization process.
For enlistment purposes, the United States includes Guam, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin
Islands, The Northern Marianas Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia,
and the Marshall Islands. Citizens of certain countries may require a waiver
to enlist. These include citizens of countries considered hostile to the interests
of the United States. For more specific information on the current list of hostile
countries, or for other specific questions, Contact
An Advisor.
You should also not be undergoing any civil actions; certain law violations
will disqualify you. You are not required to have a High School Diploma. There
are also weight and physical
fitness requirements that must be met in order to
join the U.S. Army.
