Joining the military doesn’t have to be a stressful process. So why do some people have a stressful experience and some have a great experience? I believe joining the military can and should be a great experience with little or no stress. Here are 6 enlistment tips to make joining the military easy:
1. Do Your Homework! Second guessing the branch of the military you have chosen to join will weigh heavy on your mind. You need to do research, talk with recruiters, and have your mind made up about which branch you are going to join BEFORE you swear-in.
2. Be Prepared! There are certain thing you will need to join, state or federally issued ID, birth certificate, social security card, and education documents are always going to be required. There could be other documents required so be prepared to obtain whatever documents you may need.
3. Have an Idea of what job you want to do or don’t want to do! Not everybody knows the exact job they want to do but many people have an idea of what they don’t want to do. The better prepared you are about the jobs you want or don’t want, the less pressure you will have when it comes time to pick jobs!
4. Make time! Joining the military is going to require time on your part. Getting documents, going to the recruiter’s office, and going to the MEPS all take time. It is very frustrating for your recruiter and stressful for you if you are not prepared to invest the time to join. If you work you WILL have to take off for a couple of days to go to the MEPS. Recruiters will try to work around your work schedule but it doesn’t always work out.
5. Bring the right attitude! This is by far the most important tip. You and only you get to pick what your attitude is going to be. Being positive and being flexible will make the process go much smoother. Not everything will always go as planned, being able to adjust will ease your stress and make your overall process much more fun.
6. Stay involved and loyal to the military! There must be a good reason you chose to join the military, you need to make sure your friends know about all the great advantages the military has to offer. Also stay involved with the military through your recruiter. He or she can always use some extra help, just ask!
Joining the military is a big step in anyone’s life but it doesn’t have to be stressful. These 6 enlistment tips will make the process much smoother and in turn will make joining the military easy.
What tips do you have to make joining easier?
Good article!
To destress about joining the military I read a lot. I must have read 4 books and read a lot of the military.com forums. My favorite book is The Ultimate Basic Training Guidebook.
so hw can high get that?
Basic Training for Dummies. You don’t have to be a “dummy” to read it. It helps with things you need to know, and things you should prepare for. Maybe reading asvab for dummies or something similar can help. I dunno. Get into shape before you start training, know the requirements.
When u go to meps and u have to take ur vision screening if u have contacts don’t wear them wear ur glasses and take them off about 10 mins before ur screening
If you have contacts you can wear them to MEPS. Trust me my recruiter said to wear them..
I wear contacts and glasses at the same time. I admitted to that on my medical prescreening and now I must bring them with me to MEPS…That is if MEPS ever tells my recruiter it is okay for me to come down there for the physical
My confidence of acceptance has diminished into full blown worry since I have past history of depression and that is a permanant disqualifier for military service and is nonwaiverable in extreme cases even though medical documents wre submitted. And the Army no longer accepts
waivers for past depression, I heard.
I'm in tech school right now as a crew chief for the air force. One of the biggest parts of this article that stuck out to me was staying involved as you go through the enlistment process and it's completely true. While i was getting ready to ship off to basic training I would go above and beyond the norm to help out my recruiter, I showed up for PT sessions before I ever went to MEPS and made it a point to go every week. Soon i started leading the PT sessions and eventually was made DEP commander by my recruiter. I feel that it started the trend that's been following me ever since. When i finally got to basic training in December of this last year my MTI made me an element leader and now I'm an airman leader here at tech school. The point is that even if your still not sure about going into the military but have talked to a recruiter you should try to get involed with some of the extra activities your recruiter does because you can't know if it's right for you until you start to meet the people in it. This could even be your opportunity to become a great leader or at least shape you life into the best that it can be. I'm only 9 weeks out of basic training so everything that happened there is still fresh in my head and I'm happy to help anyone that has questions about it no matter what branch of service i can tell you honestly what your getting into. Email me at gah797@hotmail.com with any questions. The military has done great things for me and i want to share the experience with anyone that wants to know.
I eager to join the military, I’ve always stood behind my husband for 10 years and it’s my turn to do something for myself. I am 5’0 and 180 lbs.
Thats awesome and something to beproud of!
Great intiative, but you will probably need to lose some weight
Hi Hun , I’m eager too. Try blending some fruits and veggies. Start there and then start walking… I’m 5’3 and 200. Good Luck!
Hi , im in the process of joining the marines myself and my boyfriend is already a marine. We plan to get married soon but i dont know if this is a good idea to do before bootcamp?
It depends if you two want a big wedding or not, I’d recommend getting married before you enlist if you want the extra $ I believe you’ll receive.
I'd suggest to do this AFTER bootcamp because regardless you don't get paid for both of you until AFTER bootcamp. You also have to do much more paper work before hand and a lot of jumping around. Stating that the other person will be economically stable for the time you're gone & la la la. Do it right after boot camp. Concurrently in the same boat.
I have heard that if you have a spouse in a branch you cannot join after you are married. I heard this from my air force recruiting seargent. You may want to join and then marry, or just check into this I could have heard this totally wrong.
Elizabeth ~ good for you! I spent 8 yrs in the Army & LOVED it! My main advice to you though is to start working out, running, and watching your calorie intake. For a 5'0" tall female in the Army, the minimum weight is 97; max weight is 133, and that's if you're 40+ yrs old.
Hey, I still have a lot to learn about the whole Military picture. Currently, I am getting ready for ROTC at my local college, and if I don’t receive one of those highly competitve and highly competed for scholarships, I plan on joining Ohio National Guard.
At the moment, I am six feet and two inches, weighing in at exactly 155 pounds.
I know the scores might not be good, but I did want to see how I paired up to people my age and older. Here goes.
1. I can do 80 pushups in a minute.
2. I can do about 85 or so Sit Ups before I tire, in a minute.
3. Currently, I am running the mile in seven minutes and thirty seconds.
I am eighteen, so remember that when you decide my level of physical shape. Thanks.
Damian,
Have you started the ROTC process? From your stats, your in good physical shape so no worries. The ROTC process is very competitive so make sure you keep the grades up and take every opportunity to demonstrate leadership potential. Volunteer for community projects and take leadership roles in school clubs/government. A well rounded candidate is important during the selection process. If you don't get a scholarship at first, stay focused and get very involved in the student wing. By demonstrating your comittment, you'll make yourself competitive for shorter legnth scholarships. Bottom line…physical fitness is important, but look to be well rounded in all endeavors.
If you decide on the ONG, what branch are you considering? My wife is a former active duty member that currently serves in the OH Air Nat. Guard and can help you get information.
Good luck in your pursuits!
Damn! you are in one helluva shape im struggling to do 5 push ups and cant get it right and can do only 15 sit ups. im working hard thought so i can be fit for boot camp.
i want to jion the millitry
Join *
does anyone know if i can join the military with my GED preferably marine corps?
You can NOT join the Marine Corps with a GED. i wanted to get a GED and then join the Marines, but my frecruiter said u need to have a hight school diploma.
It may not be completely out of the question. Ask them if you go to college and get some college credits under your belt whether that will make a difference. I'm sure you can still join. You just have to know what your options are.
can i join army with a GED, and 35.00 college credits?
Yes you can…and also consider the other services. With college credits under your belt, you may qualify for higher grade upon completion of basic training. What do you want to do in the service? What fields interest you?
i'm 16 (17 in September) and a high school senior. i have been working w an Army recruiter for a couple of years now as he is a friend of my Marine friend. i have always had my heart set on enlisting the the USMC but the Army just sounds like a better fit for me…. even though I have an amazing network of military friends and connections, the thought of enlisting is kind of daunting because I'm afraid i wont be able to do it…i know that physically, i'll be able to push myself through and my recruiter is going to start training me next month but i'm afraid that mentally I'm not strong enough… my Marine friend
(who has known me since i was 10) says that i am and that it's just low self confidence (which i have struggled with since my freshman year) that is holding me back so… any advice on what i should do? should i express my concerns to my recruiter or should i just carry on acting like everything's 100% ok?
you know if youre not sure of joining the marine corps or second guessing yourself dont join. if you think that the army is a better option for you then join the army. youre still young and this is the biggest decision of your life. besides youre the one that is going to be serving for 2+ years. dont worry if they get mad that you chose a different branch. its your decision your life on the line…..dont act like everything is ok… express your feelings, they will guide you, but dont let them manipulate you…
I am looking for fun make of it what you will. you must be honest and have an amazing sense of humour. Only athletic build please be under the age of 35.
Im currently getting my AAS in Health Information Management. Im just undecided if I join, should I wait until I get my bachelors and go in as officer or join after I get my AAS and work towards becoming an officer. I have FAFSA currently but don't know how long that will last. Im also struggling working part-time, going to school full-time, the extra pay from the military will help me as well.
I'm stressed because I'll need a waiver so I don't want to put hurt myself with waiting so long to see if the waiver goes through and then get so hurt when it doesn't. And my family isn't behind me and don't think I can do it.
Do not listen to your family. I know you can do it!!!!!
you CAN do it!
i want to now more about the army
go to goarmy.com
What are the best jobs in the ARMY? I got a 75 AFQT score. Is that good?
I was Navy in the 60s Guys with too much time ontheir hands- messed with your clothes- got them dirty intentionally- bunch of guys from New Jersey- wanted to run the place- biggest mistake I ever made.
Im 37 years i can a abole to joing to military and i don not have high School dipolma
Am interested in becoming a soldier and that is my long-life dream.i will be happy if ever i receive an email stating what to do.
depends which branch you want to join. army, navy, air force, marine corps. go to each website leaern more about each and select which branch is best for you. talk to a recruiter, take the ASVAB test. go to MEPS. go to boot camp – each branch teaches different techniques and differ in the amount of weeks. for example navy i believe is 9 weeks. marines is 12 weeks and alot tougher. and they train in different states.
Here is a link for a very resourceful page on this website i myself have found helpful with my searches about joining.
Just put that html into your search and it should bring it up.
http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces
that's the html… Sorry for that.
I have been looking into the army for awhile now, making sure im fit, studying and that its something i really want to do. I want to enlist as 11c and have my mind made up. Im nervous and have been studying like crazy because i need to score atleast 90 on the ASVAB and would hate to fall short and not be able to become infantry. I only have my g.e.d but i am doing everything and anything to join the united states army. I just wish that i could speed everything up and leave to basic now. I Cant wait to serve my country and fight beside the brave men. And a big thank you to all men and women who risk there lifes so everyone else can live a normal life. i cant wait to join a family and feel like im worth something for a change.
every individual is important. i thank you for your enthusiasm and sacrifice for wanting to join the army. be patient all in due time.. good luck
me to i wnt this more then anything mp or infantry many men in my family have been in the military and i fell lik i have to get some! as they say
Im disable but i would love to join the arm at the moment im a administrater at WoF and a stock controller. Could i at any chance be employ by the army if not why not???_______
everyone can serve.. i say this because a marine lost both his arms and later was able to be return to work as a drill instructor. and it also depends on your disability… talk to a recruiter preferably to someone from the branch you want to join. good luck
38 y/o BM with a college degree and unemployed in the field of study engineering for over 10 years. What can i do for the military with my credentials.
I am an iranian boy and i like know how i can join to us.military
Well, how old are you and are you in the USA?
I have nephew wanted to join a military but the problem he is fililipino citizen and lives in Papua New Guinei…is there possible he can join a military like coast guard and or army?
Hello. I am in the process of enlisting into the Army. And I have been worried about what my enlistment fate is since my medical records were sent to MEPS for review. On my medical records and prescreening, there is a history of depression and an antidepressant in the past and unfortunately, it has passed the 6- month mark. Some good news on my medical records, however, indicate no history of suicide attempts, thoughts, or guestures, no hospitalization or residential facility admittance for the depression, no reported endangerment to myself and others, no self multilation, and no diagnoses of bipolar or major depression. Plus, there is no history of seeing a psychiatrist or psychologist in my medical records. In fact, I wasn't ever in my life hospitalized for anything at all. I was depressed and took an antidepressant because I was dissatisfied and suffered personal insecurities with family relationships at home in my early 20's. And my updated medical history states that I am no longer affected by this depression and anxiety as I managed to overcome the feelings of dread and low self esteem with my mother over the years into my late 20's. My mother and I were not very close when I was in my early 20's but I began to feel better about her as I got older. I still find her to somewhat be on the annoying side, though, but I don't feel as distant and down about her as I did then. After all, there is no such thing as a perfect family relationship. All adult children find their parents annoying every now and then in their lifetime. So, despite of all that, are my chances of enlisting into the Army with a waiver pretty much still zero even though my depression wasn't serious enough to require hospitalization or to be institutionalized to treat the condition?
So is 26 years old to old to join been wanting to join but did not know if im to late
If a person has a misdemeanor & is currently on probation, is it possible to join the service during the probation period
MOst of the services require that you be off probation, the misdemeanor should not be a problem, but of course I have no idea what it is for. Your best bet would be to talk to each branch of the service for their specific rules around this. I would also consider taking the ASVAB!
Im interested in knowing if I can join the navy at this time of year. I've always been curious but now that I am 25 I was wondering if it were possible now because I have a GED and no college credits. Im ready to start training NOW lol.
I want to join the military but the only thing holding me back is my weight at 5'10 and 250 pds I have a long road to go. And good workout routines good for losing weight? I have started eating only baked foods too with more veggies.
Actually, you're probably not too far off. Lose about 20, and you should be good, as long as you suck in your gut when they tape you.
You mentioned that if working that I will have to take off a couple of days for MEPS. What about PT training? Can this be done after I get off work so that I can continue to work at my present job until my ship date?
I'm a 24 year old college student who has been seriously considering joining the navy since I was fourteen. Due to medical issues I am somewhat heavier than I should be for my height of 5'4 at 235 lbs. Yes, I know that's terrible. I walk everywhere, rarely eat sweets, have a high vegetable intake and keep the starchy foods to a minimum. Any advice would be highly appreciated and I look forward to serviing as soon as I am able to do so.
A.R
I am trying to decide whether I want to join the Army or the Air Force. I am leading more towards the Army, but my dad would rather me in the Air Force. Almost every day he comes home with a new story about how the Air Force is better than the Army. I am wondering what the pros and cons of each.
Hey everyone! I am a 30 yr. old female. I have a 6yr old son. I have had more downs thn UPS when it comes to my career. I have made a decision to join the military but I’m worry I won’t get to see my son often. I’m all he knows and it scares me to leave him. Is there anyway after training u can get your child back? Will I be able to get guardianship of him again?
My son would like to reenlist in the military.What is the age limit and can he rejion