The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the seven uniformed services of the United States, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the United States Constitution. It’s the oldest and most senior branch of the U.S. military in order of precedence. The Army is part of the Department of Defense (DOD) and is the largest of the five military branches. It handles major ground combat missions, especially operations that are ongoing. The Army Special Forces unit is known as the Green Berets for its headgear. Service members are known as soldiers. The reserve components are Army Reserve and Army National Guard.
As you proceed to learn about the requirements to join the United States (U.S.) Army, you may also be interested to know about the following.
Requirements to join the United States Army (USA)
Candidates wishing to join the United States Army (USA) must meet the following requirements.
- Must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or a legal permanent resident alien (Green Card)
- Must be between 17 to 35 (17-year old recruits require parental consent)
- Have no more than two dependents
- Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. (Minimum AFQT Score: 31)
- Must be a high school graduate, have earned a GED or have met other high school equivalency requirements
- Back Ground Check (Security and Financial checks) must be passed
- Certain tests will be performed to verify that you meet the physical requirements of the Army. In addition to making sure you are in generally good health, with no disqualifying conditions, you will also be required to pass a drug screening test
- There are weight and height requirements to make sure you are in shape for joining the Army
- Must have no criminal record. A criminal record may disqualify you from military service
Height and weight requirements
Height will be measured in stocking feet on a flat surface with the chin parallel to the floor. The body should be straight but not rigid, similar to the position of attention. The measurement will be rounded to the nearest inch with the following guidelines: if the height fraction is less than 1/2 inch, round down. If the height fraction is 1/2 inch or greater, round up.
Weight will be measured and recorded to the nearest pound. Both height and weight will be officially taken at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). It is very important to be over your minimum or under your maximum as not meeting either one will probably either stop you from enlisting or, even worse, prevent you from going to basic training.
Below are the U.S. Army’s height and weight requirements for recruits to enlist.
- For Men
Height (inches) | Min Weight | Age 17 – 20 Max Weight | Age 21 – 27 Max Weight | Age 28 – 39 Max Weight | Age 40 + Max Weight |
58 | 91 | – | – | – | – |
59 | 94 | – | – | – | – |
60 | 97 | 132 | 136 | 139 | 141 |
61 | 100 | 136 | 140 | 144 | 146 |
62 | 104 | 141 | 144 | 148 | 150 |
63 | 107 | 145 | 149 | 153 | 155 |
64 | 110 | 150 | 154 | 158 | 160 |
65 | 114 | 155 | 159 | 163 | 165 |
66 | 117 | 160 | 163 | 168 | 170 |
67 | 121 | 165 | 169 | 174 | 176 |
68 | 125 | 170 | 174 | 179 | 181 |
69 | 128 | 175 | 179 | 184 | 186 |
70 | 132 | 180 | 185 | 189 | 192 |
71 | 136 | 185 | 189 | 194 | 197 |
72 | 140 | 190 | 195 | 200 | 203 |
73 | 144 | 195 | 200 | 205 | 208 |
74 | 148 | 201 | 206 | 211 | 214 |
75 | 152 | 206 | 212 | 217 | 220 |
76 | 156 | 212 | 217 | 223 | 226 |
77 | 160 | 218 | 223 | 229 | 232 |
78 | 164 | 223 | 229 | 235 | 238 |
79 | 168 | 229 | 235 | 241 | 244 |
80 | 173 | 234 | 240 | 247 | 250 |
- For Women
Height (inches) | Min Weight | Age 17 – 20 Max Weight | Age 21 – 27 Max Weight | Age 28 – 39 Max Weight | Age 40 + Max Weight |
58 | 91 | 119 | 121 | 122 | 124 |
59 | 94 | 124 | 125 | 126 | 128 |
60 | 97 | 128 | 129 | 131 | 133 |
61 | 100 | 132 | 134 | 135 | 137 |
62 | 104 | 136 | 138 | 140 | 142 |
63 | 107 | 141 | 143 | 144 | 146 |
64 | 110 | 145 | 147 | 149 | 151 |
65 | 114 | 150 | 152 | 154 | 156 |
66 | 117 | 155 | 156 | 158 | 161 |
67 | 121 | 159 | 161 | 163 | 166 |
68 | 125 | 164 | 166 | 168 | 171 |
69 | 128 | 169 | 171 | 173 | 176 |
70 | 132 | 174 | 176 | 178 | 181 |
71 | 136 | 179 | 181 | 183 | 186 |
72 | 140 | 184 | 186 | 188 | 191 |
73 | 144 | 189 | 191 | 194 | 197 |
74 | 148 | 194 | 197 | 199 | 202 |
75 | 152 | 200 | 202 | 204 | 208 |
76 | 156 | 205 | 207 | 210 | 213 |
77 | 160 | 210 | 213 | 215 | 219 |
78 | 164 | 216 | 218 | 221 | 225 |
79 | 168 | 221 | 224 | 227 | 230 |
80 | 173 | 227 | 230 | 233 | 236 |
