To be able to enlist in the U.S. Army the applicant must be at least 18 years old, a US citizen or a permanent resident with a green card, and graduated from high school. Along with these strict requirements, there is a physical fitness test and a strict body composition standard by policy.
These exercises are performed often by doing “the maximum deadlift” which is to test lower body strength, “hand release push- ups” to keep up with the body endurance, and the “sprint dry carry” which checks speed, ability, and movement.
There are planks that measure core strength and stability, as well as a two mile run that tests cardio performance. The purpose of these exercises is to prevent injuries from happening, to make sure the applicant is ready mentally and physically for combat operations and better performance.
Each of these exercises are worth 60 points and the applicant must achieve 300 points to pass the test and meet combat standards. Soldiers who score a 465 or higher on the AFT are given a body fat exemption.
As of June 2025, mandatory training requirements have been reduced from twenty-four to seventeen. Most training programs that were mandatory are now optional.
Aside from meeting these updated requirements soldiers must meet appearance standards while serving.
Woman cannot have tattoos unless for medical reasons or have false eyelashes (Lash extensions) and only plain earrings are allowed on each ear, but cannot be worn while being in field environments, deployments or in PT uniform.
Makeup is allowed if matches your skin tone and gives it a natural complexion. Buns, braids, twists and ponytails with certain styles are also not allowed in service or dress uniform.
While hair coloring must meet the standard to be a “natural color” or blended in a certain way.
Male soldiers cannot have braids, twists, locs, cornrows, shaping designs or cutting in designs. They cannot have nail polish, nails past the edge of the finger, no type of cosmetics is allowed or earrings on male soldiers.
To enlist, applicants cannot have any medical conditions such as asthma, lungs, heart, and spine problems. They also must not have any mental health conditions such as schizophrenia, diagnosed depression, bipolar disorder or dependent on drug use, these can all intervene with your performance in the military .
Applicants also must not have a history or record of self-harming or suicide events, learning disabilities, or diagnosed ADHD that has requirements for medication.
Applicants cannot have big felony convictions or misdemeanors such as domestic violence or other pending criminal charges. Although, certain misdemeanors or chargers can be waived after review.
Having heavy drug usage or drinking alcohol gives a lower chance of being in the military, and using heroin or meth, past or present disqualifies applicants from joining.
Also having a big family to support financially like family or children, without a plan that is stable enough to fund their needs and take care of them can also get applicants disqualified.
To serve in the military it is to protect the country and defend the nation, to have self-development, to be able to support and maintain situations such as national emergencies, natural disasters or human crises if it were to happen.
Applicants tend to enlist for their personal growth, which means leadership such as being able to help others, to be able to guide them, motivate one another, and support each other while also being to communicate through your feelings even if it gets tense.
People use the military to develop empathy and build friendships through their trusted ranks and be sure to help one another if they are struggling instead of moving on, to make sure they are okay and to make sure missions are successful and completed with soldiers.
