Join The Regular Force
Members of the Regular Force serve full time protecting Canada and defending our sovereignty. They contribute to international peace and security, and work with the United States to defend North America. They are ready to respond at a moments notice to threats, natural disasters or humanitarian crises at home and around the world.
Getting Ready To Train
An excellent way to determine your fitness level is to undergo a fitness appraisal.
Talk to your doctor before starting a fitness routine or appraisal, particularly if you have a heart condition, feel chest pain, lose your balance or consciousness, have a bone or joint problem, or take drugs for a blood pressure or heart condition. Tell your doctor about the kinds of activities you want to do and follow his or her advice.
Have Between Zero And Two Dependents
To qualify for US military enrollment, you must have less than two dependents under the age of 18. The US Army Policy on Enlistment with Dependents states only applicants with two or fewer dependents under the age of 18 meet the dependency requirement. Some applicants may qualify for a waiver for RC enlistment.
Applicants with custody of up to two dependent children and no spouse do not meet the US Army dependency requirements. It is crucial to know these requirements in advance to avoid potential issues during the enrollment process.
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Can I Join The Military If Im Overweight/obese
Obesity is a significant problem in the United States.
According to the NCBI, 23% of young adults are obese in America compared to just 6% in 1987.
Furthermore, according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention , 1 in 3 young adults between the age of 17-24 are unfit for service.
You are not alone if you are seeking to join the military yet struggle with obesity.
There are many ways you can still join the military if you are overweight.
Its true that every branch of the U.S. Armed Forces has height and weight standards for enlistment.
Every military branch treats its recruits slightly differently, however, you generally need to meet height restrictions.
On the other hand, the military branch may provide a waiver for your weight if you are obese yet pledge to shed the extra weight before the completion of boot camp.
While the U.S. Armed Forces do grant a waiver for being overweight, its not something you should count on for service.
Instead, you should focus on getting into shape and losing weight as soon as possible.
Exercising and losing weight before boot camp will make the experience at basic training far more enjoyable.
Basic military training pushes you to your limits which makes being in shape all the more important if you are taking your military career seriously.
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Am I Eligible To Join The National Guard Or Military Reserves

You must meet these minimum requirements to join the National Guard or military reserves:
- Be a U.S. citizen or resident alien.
- Be between the ages of 17 and 42 .
- Pass an armed forces physical exam.
- Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test.
- Meet the minimum ASVAB eligibility standard. You must receive a sufficient score on the ASVAB composite called the Armed Forces Qualification Test.
Each branch or specific job may have other requirements in addition to those listed above.
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The Minimum Age Permitted To Join The Military
In all cases except for the Navy Reserve, the minimum age permitted is 17 with parental consent in writing. Those 18 and older are permitted to join the military without parental consent. The Navy Reserve minimum age is 18. Federal law says no military branch can enlist someone over the age of 42 however each service may set their own policy below that age limit.
Did you know there is an upper age limit for all branches of military service?
Military Age Limits:
- Army Age Limit: 35 for active duty, Guard, and Army Reserve
- Navy Age Limit: 39 for active duty, 39 for Navy Reserve
- Air Force Age Limit: 39 for active duty and Guard, 38 for Air Force Reserve
- Coast Guard Age Limit: 31 for active duty, 40 for Coast Guard Reserve
- Space Force Age Limit: 39
Prior service military members may not be subject to the same age limitations as new recruits depending on age, the nature of military service, recruiting demand, and other factors.
Advance In Your Career
In year five, you have a decision to make. You can move ahead in your Army career by getting more advanced education and training. If so, you will prepare for higher levels of responsibility, leadership, and specialization required as commanders. Eventually, you may even go on to earn a graduate degree from a leading civilian university.
The Army pays for all of your training, travel, and advanced education. You could eventually work in the Pentagon, command a large troop unit, or serve as a military attaché in a foreign country.
The other option is choose to complete your commitment and return to civilian life.
Check out West Pointers-The Journey Continues to learn more about graduates currently working in their branches.
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S For Joining The Military
Start by doing some research about your options for joining the military. Learn about the six active-duty branches and their part-time counterparts. Know the main differences between officers and enlisted members. And explore the career fields you can enter for each branch.
Once you know which branch youre considering, contact a recruiter. A recruiter will give you an overview and answer your questions about that service. If youre interested in more than one branch, contact a recruiter for each. If youre interested in joining as an officer, the recruiter will explain any options you may be eligible for.
If you decide to enlist, you will report to a military entrance processing station . Youll spend a day or two completing pre-enlistment steps. These include taking the ASVAB, having a physical exam, meeting with a career counselor, and if youre accepted, taking the oath of enlistment. From there youll receive orders for basic training, usually to start within a few weeks. If you enrolled in a delayed entry program, youll go home and get orders for basic training within a year.
How To Join The Military After Age Thirty
Traditionally, most people join the U.S. military in their late teens or early to mid-twenties. As of 2013, the average enlistment age for people joining the Army was 20.7 years. Each of the four military service branches and the Coast Guard also have their own maximum age standards for enlistment or officer commissioning. So while the maximum military enlistment age set by Congress is 42 years, if you’re 35 or older you might have a tougher time trying to enlist.
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Some Special Operations Age Limits
Navy SEAL recruits must be between the ages of 17 to 28 years old. There are some waivers for men ages 29 and 30 that are available for very qualified candidates. These applicants must prove to the Navy and the Navy SEAL community that they are worth the investment. Typically uncommon skills and experience will help, but the standards for physical fitness are held standard no matter what the age of the applicant. There is also another exception with prior enlisted servicemen who seek to enter the SEAL community as an Officer can request waivers to the age of 33.
Army Special Forces recruits must be between the ages of 20-30 years old but the physical requirements are still the same and recruits must score a minimum of 260 on the Army physical fitness test for the 17-to-21 age group. However, there are waivers based on skills and abilities of the soldiers applying as prior enlisted or National Guard SFAS students.
Age waivers are possible for those with prior military service. In some cases , the veteran’s active duty service number of years is subtracted from the age limit to determine the age requirement. For instance, a veteran with 5 years of service, who is 30 years old with broken service time, often will be considered 25 and granted age waivers for certain groups in the military.
Air Force PJ / CCT must be under the age of 28. However, any active duty service time can actually be subtracted to make the recruit eligible and within standards as above.
Can A Felon Join The Military
Can You Join The Military With A Felony? Many people want to know whether they can join the military with a felony conviction. Ultimately, it depends on the circumstances. Certain felonies will immediately prevent you from joining the military.
In general, people convicted of rape, aggravated assault, and arson will not be accepted. Furthermore, you cant join the military if youve been convicted of drug distribution or multiple DUIs. As for misdemeanors, they wont stop you from joining.
While it might be possible to join the military with a felony conviction, it wont be easy. After all, the military seeks individuals of sound moral character. Having a felony conviction doesnt meet that requirement.
Nevertheless, it still depends on the circumstances. The military will decide depending on the current demand, the crime you committed, whether youre on parole, and other things.
The military is a rewarding career, with the potential of early retirement. What job offers such a lucrative retirement deal? Upon retirement, qualified military officers are provided with a monthly annuity for the rest of their lives.
There are many other reasons to join the military. Not only will you commit to serving your country, but you also sign on to travel the world in many cases.
There are various brands of the United States Military, including:
- Air Force Reserve
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Submit Your Application 5interview
The next step is an interview with a military career counsellor it is your official job interview and a very important step. The application process is very competitive and you will be asked questions about your work history, knowledge of the Canadian Forces, and understanding of the job you selected.
Joining the Canadian Armed Forces
What Kind Of Benefits Will I Earn

For your commitment to the National Guard or military reserves, youll receive many benefits including:
Joining the National Guard or military reserves can be a great way to serve your country without leaving your full-time job. Once you decide to join, you can learn more about your new community. See Military OneSources New to the Military resources. Military OneSource can answer your questions about military life. Call 800-342-9647 or connect via Live Chat 24/7/365. OCONUS/International? View calling options.
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Can I Join Indian Army At The Age Of 30 Or 31 Years Old
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What Are The Downsides
But wait isnt the military dangerous?
One reason many people dont consider the military is the perception of a high mortality rate. This is primarily caused by the media. The reality is many military specialties are no more dangerous than their civilian counterparts. Your branch of service and your career field will go a long way toward determining the risk you will be exposed to.
Military members may be eligible for VA service-connected disability benefits if they are injured or become ill during their military service. Receiving a VA disability rating makes the veteran eligible for lifetime disability compensation benefits.
In the unlikely event of a service members death, the military or the VA provides a lifetime of benefits for your survivors. The surviving family is given an immediate $100,000 death gratuity benefit, a $400,000 lump sum life insurance benefit , Social Security and indemnity monthly payments for years and the transferability of many VA benefits. The military members time served is not taken for granted.
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Whats My Obligation If I Join The National Guard Or Military Reserves
Joining the military reserves or National Guard is a significant time commitment. This is true, especially at the beginning. You will get settled in your permanent unit. Then, you can expect to attend unit assembly, known as drill, one weekend per month. You will also participate in a two-week annual training each year.
- Initial training: As a new military member, you will attend your branchs basic military training. That may last from eight to 12 weeks. Depending on your job, you may also attend an advanced training course.
- Monthly drill: Youll need to drill for 48 periods or units per year. Most units drill one weekend per month. A typical weekend drill has four periods. Some military units have additional drilling requirements, which may include the weekday.
- Annual training: Youll also need to participate in annual training for two weeks per year.
- Activations: You may be activated to full-time service in a voluntary or involuntary status. This can be with your unit or individually. These activations may vary in length and location. They may include 30 days in a unit near your hometown. Or up to a year supporting a mission outside of the United States. Generally, you cannot opt out of involuntary action. This is because the military has ordered you to active service.
- Length of commitment: Your total contract may range from three to eight years. This depends on the branch of service and your specific occupation/job.
Getting Fit With Fitt
As a rule of thumb, ease into your activities, gradually increase each element of FITT, and end each session with a cool-down. For example:
- Begin with a 5- to 10-minute warm-up. Walking, biking or a slow jog will increase blood flow to the muscles and lightly increase your heart rate. Follow up with some light stretching of the muscles you will be using in your workout.
- Improving your overall fitness is most effectively done through a combination of 20 to 60 minutes of aerobic and strength exercises. The two sample fitness sessions below are based on Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology guidelines.
- A 5- to 10-minute cool-down helps return your body to its normal, pre-exercise condition. Suddenly stopping an intense workout can make you dizzy, nauseated or even faint. Walking, biking or a slow jog will gradually bring down your heart rate and relieve muscle soreness.
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Active United States Citizen
To be eligible to join the US Armed Forces, you must be an American citizen. You must have a valid birth certificate that shows you were born within the American borders.
The US military also accepts the Certificate of Naturalization Form N-550 as proof of American citizenship. The Form N-550 must consist of a recent photo, USCIS number or alien number, your date of birth, naturalization number, and full birth name.
The Certificate of Citizen Form N-560 is also an acceptable American naturalization document. The Form N-560 must consist of your full birth name, certificate of citizenship number, alien number or USCIS number, and date of birth.
The U.S. military also accepts the Report of Birth Abroad of United States Citizenship Form FS-240 document. The document is very similar to the US Birth Certificate. It consists of your full birth name. gender, place of birth , and birth date.
Last, but not least, the U.S. passport is also accepted by the U.S. military for citizenship validation. The US passport must consist of your full birth name, place of birth, legal number, birth date, recent photo, issue date, and expiration date.
To Join As Anofficer Officers In The Caf Hold Positions Of Authority And Respect They Are Responsible For The Safety Well
You are between 16 and 57 years old.
If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission from your parent or guardian.
You are between 16 and 57 years old.
If you are under 18 years old, you will need permission from your parent or guardian.
You are a Canadian citizen.
You are a Canadian citizen.
You have completed Grade 10 or 24 credits of Secondary IV .
You have completed Grade 12 or Secondary V and you have, or are working towards, a Bachelor’s Degree.
If you do not meet this requirement, you may be eligible for one of our Paid Education programs.
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