🪖 Join the U.S. Army: Everything You Need to Know

From Enlistment to Benefits — A Complete Breakdown of Army Life

Whether you're exploring a full-time military career or a part-time path that supports civilian life, the U.S. Army offers unmatched opportunity, structure, and benefits. This guide gives you everything you need to know before speaking to a recruiter — including how to join, what to expect, how much you can earn, and what your life might look like during and after service.

How to Join the Army

Joining the Army involves a few important steps, but it’s a clear and supportive process. You'll work with a recruiter who will guide you through eligibility checks, job matching, and enlistment paperwork.

Step-by-Step Process:

  • ✅ Speak with a Recruiter

  • ✅ Take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)

  • ✅ Complete the Medical Exam at MEPS

  • ✅ Choose Your Job (MOS)

  • ✅ Take the Oath of Enlistment

  • ✅ Ship to Basic Training

Requirements to Enlist:

  • Minimum Age: 17 with parental consent, 18 without

  • Maximum Age: 35 (waivers may apply)

  • Education: High school diploma or GED

  • Citizenship: U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident

  • Background: Clean legal and medical history preferred

👉 Start Your Application at GoArmy.com

🏋️ What to Expect in Training

Army training is intense, but designed to prepare you physically, mentally, and emotionally for military life.

Basic Combat Training (BCT):

  • Duration: 10 weeks

  • Focus: Physical fitness, weapons training, Army values, teamwork

  • Locations: Fort Jackson, Fort Moore, Fort Leonard Wood, Fort Sill

Advanced Individual Training (AIT):

  • Duration: Varies by job (4 to 52 weeks)

  • Focus: Specialized skills related to your MOS (Military Occupational Specialty)

Officer Training (Optional Paths):

  • Officer Candidate School (OCS)

  • Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)

  • West Point Military Academy

⚙️ Careers in the Army (MOS)

The Army offers 150+ MOS options — military job roles — across a wide variety of fields:

  • Combat Arms: Infantry, Artillery, Armor

  • Intelligence & Cybersecurity

  • Aviation & Drone Operations

  • Engineering & Construction

  • Healthcare & Emergency Medical

  • Transportation, Logistics & Supply

  • Communications, IT, and Signal Support

  • Mechanical and Technical Repair

Examples:

  • 11B – Infantryman

  • 68W – Combat Medic Specialist

  • 25B – Information Technology Specialist

  • 15T – UH-60 Helicopter Repairer

Your MOS determines your training, skillset, career advancement path, and even civilian certifications you can earn.

🧭 Active Duty vs. Army Reserve

🔹 Active Duty (Full-Time):

  • Full-time military service

  • Stationed in the U.S. or overseas

  • Eligible for full benefits, including housing, healthcare, education

  • Military is your primary career

  • Deployments vary based on MOS and unit

  • Ideal for those ready for full commitment and global mobility

🔹 Army Reserve (Part-Time):

  • Serve one weekend/month + two weeks/year

  • Maintain a civilian job or go to college while serving

  • Typically stationed locally

  • Eligible for GI Bill, tuition assistance, VA home loan, and retirement

  • Can be activated during national emergencies

  • Great option for flexibility and additional income

💰 Pay, Bonuses & Financial Benefits

Base Pay (2025 enlisted estimates):

  • E1: $2,017/month (after BCT, raises come quickly)

  • Increases with rank, time in service, and specialty roles

Additional Pay & Bonuses:

  • 💸 Enlistment Bonuses: Up to $50,000 for high-demand roles

  • 🏠 Housing Allowance (BAH): Based on location, rank, and dependency status

  • 🍽️ Food Allowance (BAS): Monthly food stipend

  • 🏥 Free Healthcare: Full TRICARE medical and dental

  • 💼 Special Pays: For airborne, language skills, combat zones, etc.

🎓 Education & Career Advancement

The Army invests in your future — both in uniform and after.

While Serving:

  • 🎓 Tuition Assistance: 100% for college courses while on active duty

  • 📜 Credentialing Assistance (CA): Get certified in tech, trades, healthcare

  • 🔧 Army COOL: Find MOS-aligned civilian certifications

  • 🏫 Green to Gold: Transition from enlisted to officer while in college

After Service:

  • 🎖️ Post-9/11 GI Bill: Covers tuition, housing, and books for college

  • 🧰 SkillBridge Program: Intern with civilian employers before separation

  • 👔 Veteran Career Services: Resume help, job fairs, interview coaching

🛡️ Army Life & Culture

Daily Life:

  • Structured schedules and physical training

  • Strong sense of discipline and hierarchy

  • Camaraderie and community culture

  • Opportunities to travel and train internationally

Living Situations:

  • On-base housing, barracks, or off-post allowance (BAH)

  • Access to gyms, medical clinics, commissaries, and PX (Post Exchange)

Deployment:

  • Can include combat zones, humanitarian missions, or NATO rotations

  • Frequency and length depend on MOS, unit, and current global needs

🎖️ Veterans Benefits After Service

  • ✅ VA Healthcare for Life (if eligible)

  • ✅ VA Disability Compensation for service-connected injuries

  • ✅ VA Home Loan – No down payment, no PMI

  • ✅ Veterans Preference for federal jobs

  • ✅ TAP (Transition Assistance Program) – Helps with job transition

  • ✅ Army Alumni Program (A2P) – Career resources, connections, mentorship

🔗 Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you’re ready to explore Army service or want to learn more about your job options, connect directly with the U.S. Army.

👉 Visit GoArmy.com to Start Your Journey
Whether you want to serve full-time or part-time, your Army path starts here.