Educational Requirements

• Enlistees do not need to have any college experience or credit to join the United States Army. Enlisted applicants need to have either a high school diploma or pass a general educational development (GED) test. While personnel can enlist in the Army if they have more education that the minimums, enlistees must be between the ages of 17 and 34. If the applicant is 17, he must have parental permission to enlist.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Enlistees must either be citizens of the United States or legal resident aliens, that is, immigrants with a green card. Enlistees must meet credit and financial requirements as well and cannot have loans that are significantly overdue or in collection. Having a history of bad credit or debt problems will also limit your chances at getting a job that requires a security clearance. Applicants with criminal histories also face challenges, though the Army does offer moral waivers for those with convictions that are not deemed serious.
  
  

ASVAB

• There are numerous jobs available to enlisted personnel in the United States Army. These range from being an infantry soldier to an aircraft mechanic to an intelligence analyst. When you join the Army, you'll have to take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery, commonly referred to as the ASVAB. This exam tests enlistees in areas such as mathematics, general science, mechanical comprehension and other areas. You must be able to pass the ASVAB test to enlist in the army.
  
  

Medical Examination

• All Army enlistees must pass a medical examination conducted at a Military Entrance Processing Station, or MEPS. The exam consists of several measurements and tests, including height and weight determination, vision exam, hearing exam as well as urine and blood test. People with medical conditions can receive a medical waiver, but it depends on the kind of condition you have. Specialized testing may be required to determine if you have a serious medical condition or if a waiver is appropriate.