After high school, I didn’t really have much going for me. I didn’t really want to go to college, and my friend enlisted in the Army so I figured what the heck. I do have a purpose for joining and it has to do with helping my parents with their immigration.

I don’t really have any talents or skills, I just do what I like to do in the moment and move on. I don’t ever stick to one thing, otherwise I’d get bored. According to my parents, all I ever did was play video games, watch movies/Youtube, and listen to music. I wrestled in high school for a bit and was in marching band, but I don’t do that stuff anymore.

I traveled to a few countries back in high school, and ever since then I’ve missed that feeling of just being away from home and seeing something new.

To clarify, I am currently in college and I do enjoy it…but I feel stuck here at home honestly. I think enough time has passed where the regret of not going to a university has a faded, and I see the military as my last choice to really make a difference.

I scored a 69 on the ASVAB but might retake it. Army is currently the most accessible to me, but I’d like to hear what y’all say.

Going to make it Simple: Been off medication since I was 15

Had an IEP until I was 16

Graduated Highschool with a 3.2 GPA

Graduated Community College with a 2.9 GPA

Biggest thing is that I had an IEP after I was 15

I’m a fat body who wants to join the army. I’m 6ft 4 and weigh about 250. About 2 years ago I dislocated my shoulder. I’m worried that I will tell the recruiter about it, and he’ll see that I’m a fat body and not work with me. I’m scared as hell about this. I feel that the army is my passion. I’m getting told that the army is starting to get more lenient with things to get more people but I don’t think that’s true. Will I have a snowballs chance in hell.

Pretty soon I'm gonna shipped out for boot camp once I get through MEPs and I have two figures I want to place on a night stand of sorts if they have one.

Since I'll just be a private going to boot camp, would I be allowed to decorate the barracks room with my two figures?

So for context my family is planning to move from Canada to the US. I’ve been considering enlisting (army or airforce) for a while. The only issues I have are 1) I have relatively religious muslim parents (however don’t consider myself muslim) 2) I’m a woman which makes it harder to get them to let me enlist. I’m in my first year of college and feel a lack of commitment because I feel like I’m not ready for college right now. I’m just unsure how this stuff works for someone who has a green card rather than a US citizenship. Another factor as to why I’m thinking of enlisting is because I heard that they pay for your tuition after serving for some years.

I’d appreciate advice as to how to approach my parents about this, as well as any other helpful information. I’d also appreciate advice from anyone who has been in the same shoes as me. thanks !!!

Hey y’all, I’m a 25 year old male that has already previously spoken with an Army recruiter and am scheduled to go take my ASVAB and be administered a drug test by my recruiter. When I last spoke with my recruiter nearly 2 weeks ago, I explained to him that I had, had drug induced episodes and been sent to an inpatient hospital program both in 2018, and 2020. So my recruiter requested I retrieve my medical records from the hospital I was admitted to. On both of these occasions I was prescribed anti-depressant medication which I also told him, so he also requested my pharmaceutical records from over the last 5 years. However, when I retrieved my medical records, I was pretty surprised by the fact that I was labeled as a suicide attempt on my 2018 visit. After searching through this subreddit on enlistees with suicide attempts on their record, I’ve become a bit worried that my chances are low. My pharmaceutical records show that I haven’t filled any of those prescriptions with my pharmacy over the last 5 years, and only received them upon hospital discharge on my medical records. I was evaluated in January 2023 and showed no signs of depression, or thoughts of self harm. I understand completely that all I can do is try if this is what I really want to do. I’m just hoping either an enlisted soldier, or another recruiter may be able to clear the air with me a little bit on whether or not the Army will view me as eligible. Thank you, in advance for any advice or clearance anybody is willing to give!

Why aren’t the pay grades the same??

So I voluntarily went to rehab for alcohol and completed my stay with no issues at all. Didn’t take meds they offered me since I didn’t have withdrawals or any medical issues. It was my first time going and I have no criminal history at all. What are my chances of being able to enlist?

Hello! My friend just shipped to Paris Island for basic yesterday, but I didn’t get a company or platoon to write down to send letters to her.

So I was wondering if I called and asked her recruiting center if they would know / be able to tell me? Or if I need to include that stuff for it to get to her? Or if there is some way for me to find it on my own?

I’m not pressed to get mail back I just want to make sure that she gets a couple letters while she’s away. I’ve never mailed to someone in basic training so I don’t entirely understand the process of actually getting it from point a to point b.

Thanks!!

So, I originally planned on enlisting active duty Coast Guard. However, this is my second time at MEPs in the past few months and I’m having second thoughts on active duty. I’m a sophomore in college, and so much has changed in my life since I initially contacted my recruiter and I think for my life goals, reserves would fit best. I still want to serve in the USCG as it’s been something I really want for awhile but I just can’t imagine myself going full-time. Is it too late to tell my recruiter, and is she going to be pissed?!

Sadly had an accident few years prior and now I want to enlist. Is there possibility to get a waiver for braces or is there any other way ? And what about enlisting with a missing tooth.?

Let's say someone completes a battle as ordered, and then realizes the mental cost of combat,. Are there processes in place for them to transfer to another duty? Or at that point are they facing dishonorable discharge?

Follow up question, let's say you are just your average guy, but don't want a combat duty, how easy is it to get a non combat role if you just want to join up?

Hey, I am currently a 26M and have always been interested in joining the US Army. I am ready to take the next steps, but am not sure I will be allowed to enlist.

To sum up my past, I was 18 and charged with 6 misdemeanors and a felony. All of them were marijuana or alcohol related and the felony was possession with intent to distribute marijuana. I had 6 of the charges dismissed and expunged. The felony was reduced to just a possession misdemeanor, which remains on my record to this day. I spent a year on probation following. I was only convicted of one misdemeanor charge.

So currently at the age of 26, I have only one misdemeanor on my record and have taken a lot of steps to get away from my past. During probation, I got a sales job that allowed me to buy my first house and I continued working sales for a few years. Within the last 4 years, I have obtained my private pilots license, advanced scuba certification, skipper certification and free diving certification. I have put a lot of time and effort into improving my life since then and would like to embark upon my dreams of becoming a sniper in the military.

Any advice or information would be helpful. Do you think I could get a waiver and enlist, or will it be impossible?

To start I’m the first American born child out of my family and a 25 year old male aircraft mechanic.

I’m looking for a higher purpose, more emotional physical discipline and growth. A brotherhood to break me down bit by bit and rebuild me. Id ideally still like to keep my civilian job but still serve my country at the same time.

From what I’ve researched mainly the army and marines had boots on the ground in Vietnam so that narrows it down to either of those branches.

Has anyone ever done the reserve route? Any honest opinions about the Army national guard? Is the national guard the army?

I, 15 have been considering doing cspi for the coast guard but have adhd. Currently I am taking adder all which I know I'll have to get off of before joining. I had looked into other branches which I am pretty sure I would be able to get into as long as I am stable off of meds. I am not sure about the coast guard though as it is harder to find up to date info and given they are more selective with who they let join. FYI I am also on prozac but I am already coming off of it. any help if greatly appreciated.

I am considering joining OCS because I really enjoy and have a skill for military strategy/problem solving, however, I am doubtful that I would be able to enlist due to medical reasons. Are there any non-combatant jobs in the Army, possibly Marines, that would involve coming up with tactics and strategies?

I got a prescription for propranolol for a public speech assignment because I couldn't fail it (they worked ) and got them off of gokick.com (website like him.com)

am I screwed

I'm looking into joining the navy in the spring and was looking for some advice. I'm a 34 highschool drop out, no criminal record, and tats on my hands and one small on my neck. Would I be able to join?

I've had medium/long hair my whole life and realized I'm going to need to find a new hairstyle thats in regulations after they cut everything in boot. I found this R.O.K guy that has a hairstyle I might like, but not sure if its good for the US regulations. Is it something that can get by or is it still too long?

https://imgur.com/a/QkO3cTc

Edit: Forgot to mention, I'm planning on going coast guard if that means anything. I'm 23 and male if that also means something

I know my facial and ear piercings are going to have to go because I won’t be able to hide them, but I recently got my nipples done and they’re still healing. Do you think I can get away with retainers or should I just let them close up? I ship in February and I’m hoping no one is going to be inspecting that hard. Edit: army

I’ve been skinny my whole life, my whole family is. My metabolism is just so dang fast. I’m 5’5 and weigh 100lbs. Will they disqualify me? Will they just say to gain the extra pounds by my ship date? I don’t look sick or anything like that either btw if that helps?

What have been your experiences? How does it translate to civilian life? Is it hard to get spots?

I've enlisted as a 19d and I leave January 13th is it still worth it?

I want to join the PA Army National Guard as a 68b, or any other medical MOS. One of the main reasons that I’m looking to join is for education and health benefits for both me and my boyfriend. We’ve been dating for 3 years now. I’d like to be able to give him the MFEP benefits when eligible, but I’m not sure if it would be best to get married somewhere down the road before I reenlist after the first 6 years, or if it would be easier or better to get married before signing the contract, that way we also get all other benefits without having to go through any other trouble or processes.

What makes me second guess it though is that we 18 and 19, which is obviously really young.

I feel like it’s not morally correct to get married like this at our age for this reason, however we feel like it would help us out so much in the long run to get married before I enlist rather than after…

I’m 29 and 6 foot 290 pounds. I’ve been in corrections for 7 years and I’m getting burnt out. I have a family with 2 babies my biggest fear is being away from them for a long time. What branch would be best for me? I’ve lost about 40 pounds over the last 6 months I know I have to loose more but what do I have to be weight wise to join? I’m considering Air Force.

Hi guys, I'm currently very interested in enlisting to the army. However, I've been very overweight (22M 313lbs 5ft 7in) since 8th grade. I've been working extremely hard on losing weight and getting my waist size down to meet body fat composition standards. (Currently at 44%, 52.5in waist).

I've done extensive research, and have been keeping tabs with the army recruiter on my college campus. My biggest questions are, when I reach maximum body fat composition standards at 28%, but my weight is still in the 270 - 285 range, am I disqualified? Can I be accepted to the Future Soldier Preparatory Course program with these measurements? I'm training to meet the physical fitness requirements, and I know I will, but it's this weight that I need answers for.

I have until May 5th, 2025, if I can't request another year of stay at my college to reach accession goals for the army. These big questions have had me stressed out, as I've been working so hard to get where I need to enlist.

Thank you all in advance for the help.

I’m thinking of enlisting when I’m turning 18 march next year and I want to go in as 17C. That said, I have absolutely no prior knowledge of what to expect on the cyber test or what I can do in order to study for it. If I do need to pass the cyber test regardless of how well I do for my GT and ST what are some resources I can use to study for it?

Joining the army

Thank you

hello, Created this account specifically to ask this question after scouring this subreddit for a few days. I'm a 28 y/o woman, l've been "curious" about the army for a while. I have a degree in Sociology and my career hasn't been great so far, mostly in terms of upward mobility and pay.

Lately l've felt an intense pull and call to change my life, and after doing some research, I think I want to join the army as a commissioned officer.

A few things though. I was very fit in high school and college, and gradually gained weight from 22-28.

Additionally, this past January, I broke my ankle really bad while playing volleyball, which required surgery/hardware. I got the hardware out in October but I haven't been able to lose the weight yet from being non weight bearing for like 5 months of the past year. I'm the heaviest l've ever been, 4'11 & about 210 lbs. I feel disgusting but l'm hoping to use the opportunity of joining the Army as a driving force in getting back into fitness.

I used the guide on the website which recommended I weigh 97-130 lbs, which honestly even when I was skinny in high school and college I was like 135. I'm waiting for a recruiter to reach back out to me, so l can ask more specifics, but wanted to get an idea as to how much I can actually weigh.

Ideally, I want to get to 160/170, then with Basic Training and all that, I think l'd end up around 145/150. I read that the recruiter might be able to help create a plan for me to pass the fitness test.

I tend to lose weight & build muscle quickly, so l think this could be a good kick in the butt for me. But does anyone have any insight as to how flexible they are with the weight loss process?

TLDR; I'm fat, want to join the army, and I'm dedicated to making life changes with joining the army as a goal. Wanted to see if anyone had insight as to how flexible they can be with the fitness requirements when signing up.

I am set to talk to a recruiter tomorrow I’m 100%sure this is what I want to do I am 19 and am currently in school for nursing I was wondering if I can get a military job in the medical career although I technically don’t have any past experience I have many questions I would like to ask if anyone can reach out to me I would really appreciate it

I’m 24M immigrant, I passed my ASVAB with a score of 44 and a keen interest in logistics management, would pursuing MOS 88M be a beneficial step for my future career goals? Your advice would help me, thanks in advance