To be fairly honest, first of all, make sure this is absolutely what you want to do. Joining the military is a life changing commitment, and if you don't go in for the right reasons, you're going to regret it.
If you truly do want to sign up, visit a recruiting station, and talk to them. Most likely they'll have you take an ASVAB test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), which is kind of like an SAT or ACT test, and gives the military an idea of your capabilities. Generally, the higher you score, the better, and it'll give them an idea of what kind of job you can get (but the first priority is "do they need people in this job?" before anything else is taken into consideration, including your score). I would recommend trying to get a job where you can also apply its training to the civilian sector, so when you get out, you have skills you can use in the civilian world. For example, infantry is hard and fun, but it doesn't have much use in the civilian world, unless you become a mercenary lol. But becoming a medic will help out for a medical career, and being an MP (military police) will help give you an edge if you want to be a cop later on (it makes you look better than the 18 year old joes and janes fresh out of high school for instance).
Talk to the recruiter about DEP, or Delayed Entry Program, which will let you sign up at 17, and then will generally knock time off your 8 year commitment (I'll explain this more in a bit), and is usually a good thing. You can do this up to a year, although most peeps usually do the summer so that they can have a summer to enjoy before heading to Basic Training.
Definitely start getting in shape if you're not already physically active. The military's PT (Physical Training) test depends on which branch you sign up for, but generally it'll include push-ups, sit-ups, and a timed run (in the Army, it's a 2 mile run). Don't just do those excercises though, vary what you do, so that your whole body will get a workout, and you'll be more prepared for Basic Training.
As for the 8 year commitment I talked about earlier, when you sign up with the US military, you actually have an 8 year obligation to them. What this means is, let's assume that you want to go on Active Duty (full-time military). Let's say that you sign up for 4 years (which is what recruiters will most likely say to you). In this case, assuming you don't do anything else, you would serve 4 years, and then for another 4 years afterwards, you're placed on "inactive reserve". This means that you're basically a civilian again, but during those 4 years, if the military needs you, then you can be recalled (means they send you a letter that says where you need to go, and when. And if you don't do it, you can get in trouble, like go to jail, and be denied government benefits such as student grants/loans).
Let's say in this example that you did 4 years of Active Duty, and decided you wanted to re-enlist for another 4 years. In this case, after you finish the next 4 years, then you no longer have that "inactive duty" obligation anymore, and they can't just recall you back up. That's how it works, and you can use that to determine how much time you want to serve.
For instance, I signed up for a 1 year DEP, which knocked off a year off my 8 year obligation. I then served on Active Duty in the Army for 4 years, and then did another 3 years in the National Guard. By the time I was done with the Guard, I had fulfilled my 8 year obligation to the military, and can't just be recalled like the people who didn't do 8 years yet.
I know this is a lot of information, and this is just the tip of the iceberg. However, I advise that you (and anyone else that reads this, and has similiar thoughts) to read over this, and carefully make a choice. I don't regret joining the US Army at all, but I certainly wish I had known all the stuff I'm telling you about right now before I joined. Make sure you know what you want to do, and do the best that you can. It can be one of the best experiences of your life, or one of the worst. It all depends on your attitude.
If you (or anyone else) has any questions, feel free to email me. I'll tell you what I know or experienced (if that's what you want). Again, military experience looks great on a resume later on, and you do get some pretty nice benefits and training. Yes, you may have to go to Iraq or wherever, but they're not kidding when they say you'll do more in 4 years in the military than most people do their entire lives, and a lot of people who were in usually have good experiences overall in it.
And don't just do it for the college money (yes, the GI Bill is a great deal. If you score high on the ASVAB, try to get the "Kicker" too, which will boost the amount of money you get from college later on). Those type of people usually don't make very good soldiers.|||yes you can join n e branch of the military at the age so 17. just as long as u have your parents consent %26amp; have a high school dipolma, or ged.
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|||You can join the National Guard! You can do split ops! this is where the summer before your senior year you will go and complete basic training %26amp; then come home go back to school %26amp; then after graduating head out to AIT.. GOOD LUCK!
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|||To be an Enlisted like Sergeant: Enter directly after high school
To be an officer like Lieutenant: Get into college for four years.
ROTC: is Reserved Officer Training Core only for college
Jrotc is the same as rotc but junior right in front of it. for middle and high school.
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|||1800goguard.com it will tell you everything you need to know about joining the militart while your still a minor
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|||your parents could sing a permission slip to let you in the military as long as you have your high school diploma or GED, go Marines brother, OOh RAAH
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|||With the New post 9/11 GI BILL 100 Percent of your college is paid for. As long as you are physically qualified and you are on track to graduate along with you can pass the ASVAB then you will be able to join any military branch you would like as long as you are 17 with your parents consent.
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|||If you are really that adament about joining the military than you will have to get your GED rather than waiting to complete your senior year. You can enlist at the age of 17 as long as you get parental approval but you also have to have a high school diploma.
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|||MARINES IS THE BEST CHOICE I WOULD SAY OOOOOOOORAH!
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|||Early enlistment!! talk to a recruiter
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|||Make sure you do your research. I don't regret joining because it helped me become more independent but I went through a lot of crap and made lots of sacrifices. The military is a lifestyle not a job. Check out vocational schools in your area. That helped me after I graduated from H.S. %26amp; it was fun!
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|||I think you should join the Airforce. The quality of life is so much better than the Army. Trust! I wished I listened to my cousin (med retired from Army) %26amp; my Dad (prior Airforce) when he told me that.
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|||ROTC.|||You can go to boot camp the summer of your junior year. You have to have your parents permission. I was in boot camp (navy) with a girl that was 17 and not graduated from high school yet. But you do need to graduate or get your equivilancy before you go. Go Navy by the way. They have all the money and the best programs. You could get 1000s of dollars as a sign on bonus. Expecially if you are really smart and d well on your ASVAB...they might want you for a certain job.|||if you have graduated (or have a ged at least) you can enlist. i did at 17 :) my mom just had to sign for me that's about it...|||Yes, if you have your parent's permission. Every branch requires at least a GED except for the Air Force which requires a diploma. I was in basic training with a few people who were 17.|||Young person...don't be in a rush. You have the rest of your life ahead of you. It is note worthy you wish to serve your country but the service will still be there a year or so from now.|||You can enlist right now. You will go to basic this summer and be in the military when you are senior.|||ROTC|||Hi Josh, I was in the army during Vietnam. The only way you can join now is if you get your GED and your parents consent. I think what you are interested in is very admirable. However you might want to finish your education first. Thank you.
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