Everything You Need to Know About Joining the Military After High School

Congratulations on your graduation! Graduating from high school is a big step forward in your life, and now it’s time to decide what you want to do with your future. You’ll have plenty of options, from college to trade school to jumping right into the workforce.

A popular option for some recent high school graduates is joining the military. Some high schoolers have experience in programs like JROTC while others decide to join without any previous experience or exposure to the military. Whatever your reason for joining, there are some things you should know as you make this choice.

Reasons to Join the Military After High School

There are many reasons someone might decide to join the military. One of the biggest reasons for joining is the benefits, which include:

• Job security: Joining the military gives you job security that you might not find in other fields. Even if the economy is taking a hit, the military is still recruiting and guarantees a paycheck. Once you sign your contract, you’re locked into your military career and don’t have to worry about suddenly being laid off like you might in a civilian career.
• Financial assistance: The military offers financial assistance to service members for their education and retirement. You’ll have access to the GI Bill to pay for post-secondary education, whether you go to college or aim for professional certificates. Your Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) will also help you save and invest for your future so you’re set when you retire.
• Medical and dental: After joining the military, you will gain access to TRICARE and dental insurance to cover any medical needs you may have. Even your dependents will have access to coverage when you enroll them in Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
• Education and training: During your time in the military, you’ll gain knowledge and skills in your career that will be useful during your transition back to the civilian workforce. Many employers love hiring previous service members because of their experience and depth of knowledge in their field.
• Sense of purpose: After high school, some people struggle to find a sense of purpose. The military provides you with a clear sense of purpose, which is to protect the freedoms of this country through your work. You’ll even develop strong bonds with your fellow service members as you work together for a common cause.

Eligibility Requirements for Joining the Military After High School

To join the military after high school, you will need to meet some basic eligibility requirements. The requirements to join the military include:

• Age: In most cases, you will need to be between 17 to 35 to join the military, though some branches may have different age ranges. If you graduate high school earlier than average, you may have to wait a little longer to enlist, but you can start preparing for the process in advance.
• Citizenship: You must be a U.S. citizen to join the military or a lawful permanent resident with a valid Green Card.
• ASVAB score: You will need to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to join the military, which acts as a placement test for your career, determining what jobs you’re eligible for in the military. You will need to achieve a certain score to join, and each branch will have its own scoring requirements.
• Physical fitness: The military requires you to meet specific physical fitness standards to join. You will need to take a physical fitness test and demonstrate that you are in good health and within height and weight requirements in order to be eligible for enlistment.
• Criminal background: In most cases, you won’t be able to join the military if you have a felony conviction. However, you can be granted a waiver if you have a felony on your record, but you will have to discuss this with your recruiter before going through the enlistment process.
• Education: As a high school graduate, you will meet the education requirements for the military, which include either a high school diploma or a GED.

Enlistment Options for High School Graduates

It’s important to be aware of your enlistment options after high school so you can choose the option that’s best for your future. One of the first decisions you’ll need to make is whether you want to enlist full-time or as a member of the National Guard or Reserves. When you’re in the Guard or Reserves, you will only work part-time for the military, while full-time active duty service will be a bigger time commitment.

If you decide to be in the military full-time, you will need to decide between enlisting or joining as an officer. Enlisted troops will have fewer requirements but will also start at a lower rank with less pay. Joining as an officer often requires a four-year college degree, which means you wouldn’t start your military career until your early 20s rather than at 18.

You will need to thoroughly research your options when deciding between enlisted and officer. There are benefits for each decision, so you will want to choose what’s best for you and your current needs.

Delayed Enlistment Program

Another option you have is the Delayed Enlistment Program. This program is useful for high schoolers who have reached the age requirement, have decided they want to join the military, but haven’t reached their graduation date. It will start the enlistment process for you so you can join the military as soon as you get out of high school.

Some of the benefits of this program include:

• Allowing you to finish school before enlisting
• Allowing you to physically and mentally prepare for the military
• Allowing you to put your affairs in order

You can also separate from this program if you change your mind and decide you don’t want to join the military, or if you want to join later in your life. A recruiter can assist you if you’re interested in joining the military through this program.

Steps for Joining the Military After High School

Once you’ve decided to officially join the military and know you’ve met the eligibility requirements, you will need to follow some steps to complete the enlistment process.

1. Choose a Branch

The first step is to choose which branch you want to join. You can choose from six different branches:

• Army
• Marines
• Navy
• Air Force
• Coast Guard
• Space Force

Each branch has different focuses and career options, so consider your interests and skills when making your decision. Once you decide what branch you want to join, you can get in contact with the right people to start the enlistment process.

2. Take the ASVAB

Knowing what branch you want to join will help you determine what score you’ll need to be eligible for enlistment. You can find study materials online to help you prepare for the test so you can reach your ideal score. The better you do on the ASVAB, the more options you’ll have when choosing your job in the military.

3. Talk to a Recruiter

The next step in the process is to talk to a recruiter from the specific branch you’re interested in joining. A recruiter can guide you through the process and help you collect what you need to complete the enlistment process. You can also go to your recruiter with questions, whether you want to know some basic information or you want to learn more about the specifics of your future in a given branch. Recruiters can even connect you with active duty service members or veterans who work in the field you’re interested in so you can determine what it’s really like to work in your desired field while you’re in the military.

4. Pass the Physical Fitness and Medical Exam

After passing the ASVAB and talking with your recruiter, you will need to report to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to take your physical fitness and medical exam. These tests will ensure you meet height and weight requirements and ensure you’re medically fit to join the military. If you pass these exams, you’ll be able to take the next step.

5. Take the Oath of Enlistment or Oath of Office

Your next step will be to take the Oath of Enlistment or Oath of Office, which is something everyone has to do when they join the military. You will be required to repeat this oath, which signifies a promise you’re required to follow during the extent of your military career.

6. Prepare for Basic Training

After taking your oath, it’s time to prepare for basic training, which kickstarts your military career. You will be sent away for training for weeks at a time, though the exact length varies between the branches. At basic training, you will be learning everything you need to know to excel in your career. Basic training is often rigorous and will challenge you to be your best, so it’s important to mentally and physically prepare. Once you complete basic training, you will either start your work or be sent off for additional training depending on what career you’ve chosen.

Things to Consider After Enlisting

There are a few things you will need to keep in mind after enlisting, particularly how different life will be from what you’re used to in high school. Some important things to consider include:

• Finances: This will likely be the first time that you’re financially independent, and it’s important to carefully consider your finances when you step foot in the military world after your time in high school. Set yourself up for success by creating a budget, saving each month, and avoiding predatory loans or excessive debt.
• Commitment: Joining the military will be a bigger commitment than you’re likely used to as someone fresh out of high school. You will have to commit years of your life to the military and serve out your contract honorably.
• Discipline and routine: The military functions through the discipline of its troops, and you may find that you’ll have to practice more discipline than what you were used to in high school. You’ll also have to follow a strict routine, especially in the early stages of your career before you move up the ranks.
• Physical demands: The military is physically demanding, so you’ll need to be prepared to go the extra mile when it comes to your workouts and physical training. You must maintain a certain standard of physical fitness while you’re active duty, so it’s important to take your training seriously and to prepare for the physical demands of your work.

Find Support for Your New Career at Military Luggage Company

Deciding to join the military after high school is an excellent choice for your future, but you want to make sure you go prepared. Military Luggage Company has you covered with our wide selection of bags, packs, and cases, which are designed with our service members in mind. You can trust our bags to last through the rigors of military life, and we’ll be here to support you during the extent of your career. Once you enlist, you’ll even benefit from our warrior discount to help you with the cost. Get started by checking out our bag selection, browsing our blog for useful information, or contacting us with any questions.