Enlist

NOTE: The U.S. Army officially adopted the Army Fitness Test (AFT) as the new test of record for Soldiers starting June 1, 2025. The Army Combat Fitness Test consists of six events: The ACFT replaced the APFT as the Army’s…

Q. Can I serve full-time in the Guard?Yes. The Guard has several types of full-time employees. Within each state there are full-time personnel who manage the day-to-day operations of the units in their state or territorial Guard. These soldiers serve…

Q. So, what exactly is considered “prior service?”A. If one enlists, spends two weeks at basic training, and then is discharged, and later wants to enlist again, or enlist in a different service, is that person considered “prior service” for…

Updated December 2022 It truly depends on whether or not you are a non-prior or prior service member, looking at enlisting into the active duty or reserve components, etc. In the United States military system, you may enlist into any…

Physical Standards for Enlistment, Appointment, and Induction GeneralThis article describes DOD Directive 6130.3, Physical Standards for Appointment, Enlistment, and Induction, December 15, 2000, and DOD Instruction 6130.4, Medical Standards for Appointment, enlistment, or Induction in the Armed Forces, January 18,…

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command (MEPS), used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. In…

During this period of ‘right sizing’ the Air Force and Navy, the Army recognizes the need for our Armed Forces to retain highly qualified men and women in our ranks. Operation Blue to Green offers you an alternative to civilian…

UPDATED OCTOBER 2021 – The Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) is a battery of four events used to assess a recruit’s capabilities to engage in physically demanding Army training. As an assessment, the OPAT measures physical capacity in the three major…

Upper extremitiesa. Limitation of motion. Current joint ranges of motion less than the measurements listed below are disqualifying.(1) Shoulder (726.1):(a) Forward elevation to 90 degrees.(b) Abduction to 90 degrees.(2) Elbow (726.3):(a) Flexion to 100 degrees.(b) Extension to 15 degrees.(3) Wrist…

APFT Rifle Drills Exercises Source: Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training Rifle drills are suitable activities for fitness training while bivouacking or during extended time in the field. In most situations, the time consumed in…

There are a lot of different advantages to joining the military, but if you have served in the military before, you can enjoy some advantages to your prior service enlistment. The U.S. Army is offering great benefits and bonuses and…

The Army Physical Fitness Test has been replaced with the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT).  It better connects fitness with combat readiness for all Soldiers. The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is designed to test the muscular strength, endurance, and…

Eyesa. Lids.(1) Current blepharitis (373), chronic or acute, until cured (373.00), is disqualifying.(2) Current blepharospasm (333.81) is disqualifying.(3) Current dacryocystitis, acute or chronic (375.30) is disqualifying.(4) Deformity of the lids (374.4), complete or extensive lid deformity, sufficient to interfere with…

The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery measures your knowledge and ability in ten different areas; from math to electronics. It is not an IQ test, but the ASVAB is one of the ways to help you decide what job areas…

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is one of the most widely used, multiple aptitude tests in the world, developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. More than half of all high schools nationwide administer the ASVAB test…

The Army has very specific physical fitness requirements. If you are thinking about joining and want to know what kind of shape you need to be in, these charts will tell you everything you need to know. Looking for the…

APFT Obstacle Courses Source: Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training Physical performance and success in combat may depend on a soldier’s ability to perform skills like those required on the obstacle course. For this reason,…

APFT Log Drill Exercises Source: Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training START POSITIONS The soldiers fall in facing their log, with toes about four inches away. Figure 8-16 shows the basic starting positions and commands.…

APFT Aquatic Exercises Source: Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training Side Leg-Raises. Stand in chest to shoulder-deep water with either side of the body at arm’s length to the wall of the pool, and grasp…

5 Common Mistakes Recruits Make in the First 5 Minutes of Basic Training. There is always someone on the bus heading to basic training that makes at least one of the following obvious mistakes. Don’t let this person be you!…

When you decide to join the military, you have a very important decision ahead of you – choosing your branch of service. Each branch plays a unique role in the security of our country. While they all work together to…

Selective Service Registration The Selective Service System is tasked with preparing to manage a military draft if and when Congress and the President so direct. The Selective Service System has not received such an order, but will maintain its readiness…

APFT Obstacle Course Exercises (Confidence) Source: Department of the Army Field Manual, FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training CONFIDENCE OBSTACLE COURSES Confidence obstacle courses must be built in accordance with Folio No. 1, “Training Facilities,” Corps of Engineers Drawing Number 28-13-95.…

You must be between the the ages of 17 and 35 to join the U.S. Army. If you are under age 18, you must obtain the consent of your parent or legal guardian. However, there are exceptions to age restrictions…

Your DecisionYour decision to join the U.S. Military will have life-changing implications. The lessons you learn in the military about yourself and the world around you will make an indelible impression on you for life. Below are a few facts,…

Ever ask yourself if you can join the Army? Read over all your options for joining the U.S. Army and decide of enlisting is the right career path for you. The Army offers a unique job opportunity that provides not…

BASIC ALLOWANCE for HOUSING (BAH)Frequently Asked Questions * Updated January 2016 Q1: Who is eligible for BAH? A member assigned to permanent duty within the 50 United States, who is not furnished government housing, is eligible for a Basic Allowance…

Updated January 2016 The Army converts the ASVAB subtest scores into 10 composite score areas, known as “line scores.” The line scores determine what job(s) an individual qualifies for. The ASVAB subtests are: General Science (GS); Arithmetic Reasoning (AR); Word…