Enlistment requirements by branch: age, education, citizenship and ASVAB
Last checked October 14, 2026 · Sources: USA.gov: Requirements to join the U.S. military (updated July 15, 2026), GoArmy requirements, Navy requirements to join, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard pages
To enlist in any U.S. military branch you need to meet its age limit, have a high school diploma or GED, be a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident who speaks English fluently, pass a medical exam, and reach the branch’s minimum ASVAB score. The details differ by branch, especially the age limit, which runs from 28 for the Marine Corps to 42 for the Air Force.
Enlistment requirements by branch at a glance
| Branch | Age (active duty) | Minimum ASVAB (AFQT) | Education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Army | 17 to 35 | 31 | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Navy | 17 to 41 | Qualifying score (not published) | High school diploma or GED |
| Air Force | 17 to 42 | 31 (50 with a GED) | Diploma or GED; non-graduates without an approved credential need an AFQT of 65 |
| Marine Corps | 17 to 28 | 31 | Diploma; GED applicants reviewed by a recruiter |
| Coast Guard | 17 to 41 | 32 | High school diploma or GED |
| Space Force | 17 to 42 | Through the Air Force | Contact the Air Force |
Age limits are for active-duty enlistment, from USA.gov (updated July 15, 2026). ASVAB minimums from each branch’s own site, October 2026.
USA.gov notes that you can sometimes be older than these limits, and GoArmy says age waivers are possible, especially with prior military service. If you’re 17, you need a parent’s or guardian’s consent.
Age requirements
Every branch accepts applicants from age 17 with parental consent. The upper limits for active duty, as listed by USA.gov, are 35 for the Army, 28 for the Marine Corps, 41 for the Navy and Coast Guard, and 42 for the Air Force and Space Force. The Air Force’s own career pages phrase its limit as at least 17 but not yet 42 on the date of enlistment. Reserve and National Guard limits can differ, so check with a recruiter if you’re near a cutoff.
Education requirements
USA.gov says you need a high school diploma or GED to enlist, and that there are fewer spots for GED holders. It suggests GED holders improve their chances with college credits or a higher ASVAB score. Some branches spell this out in numbers: the Air Force sets a minimum AFQT of 50 for GED holders instead of 31, and its career pages say applicants who are non-graduates and hold no approved alternative credential need an AFQT of 65 or higher. The Marine Corps says GED applicants are reviewed by a recruiter. High school students can start the process before graduating; the Air Force says students may begin applying as early as the end of their junior year.
Citizenship requirements
According to USA.gov, U.S. citizens and some non-citizens can join. Non-citizens must hold a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (green card) and speak, read and write English fluently, and you cannot join the military to enter the U.S. or to get a visa. The Navy’s page lists U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents for enlisted programs, and GoArmy says naturalization can begin as soon as the first day of basic training. Some individual jobs require U.S. citizenship, for example for security clearances, so check the job as well as the branch.
ASVAB requirements
Everyone who enlists must take the ASVAB, and each branch sets its own minimum score. That minimum applies to your AFQT, which comes from four subtests: Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension. Meeting it makes you eligible; the jobs you can do depend on separate line scores. Our ASVAB scores guide explains both, and our Army, Air Force and Coast Guard guides cover each branch’s job scores.
Medical, physical and moral standards
A medical exam at a Military Entrance Processing Station is part of enlisting, and every branch expects recruits to be physically fit. Height and weight standards vary by branch, age and sex. Some medical conditions can disqualify you, but both the Army and Navy say medical waivers are issued case by case. Criminal history also matters: both branches say felons and people with several convictions generally can’t join, though waivers are available in some cases, and the Navy lists offenses that cannot be waived. The Navy also notes that unpaid debts or bad credit can affect eligibility, because many roles need a security clearance.
How to check whether you qualify
Compare your age, education and citizenship with the table above for the branch you want.
Take the Department of Defense's free ASVAB sample questions to see how close you are to the minimum.
Be ready to answer questions about health, education, drug use and any arrest record honestly; the Department of Defense says recruiters ask about these first.
A recruiter confirms current requirements, explains waivers and schedules your ASVAB and medical exam.
Our how to take the ASVAB guide walks through the testing step, and our ASVAB study plan helps you prepare.
Common questions about enlistment requirements
Which military branch has the lowest age limit?
The Marine Corps, at 28 for active duty according to USA.gov. The Air Force and Space Force have the highest, at 42.
Can I join the military with a GED?
Yes, but USA.gov says there are fewer spots for GED holders. The Air Force requires an AFQT of 50 with a GED instead of 31.
Can a non-citizen join the U.S. military?
Yes, if you have a green card and speak, read and write English fluently, according to USA.gov. Some jobs require citizenship.
Can I enlist at 17?
Yes, with a parent’s or guardian’s consent.
Can I get an age waiver?
Sometimes. USA.gov says you can be older in some cases, and GoArmy says age waivers are possible, especially with prior service. Ask a recruiter.
Requirements change, so confirm them with a recruiter before you rely on them. MockTestPrep is independent and is not affiliated with the Department of Defense or any service branch.