20 Questions to Ask Your Military Recruiter Before You Enlist

So, you are thinking of enlisting in the military. That is wonderful. You will serve your country and benefit greatly from your service throughout your life. However, military service is a serious thing and there are many questions that should be asked prior to your enlistment papers being filed. Here are just 20 of those all-important questions.

1. What Does My Chosen Military Branch Require for Enlistment?

All branches of the military are not exactly alike. Enlistment requirements vary in all branches. Weight, height, health, and age are just a few of the possible requirements for enlistment into any branch of the military.

2. What Would be the Required Minimum Service Commitment?

Military service requires extreme commitment. It is not like signing up for a standard job. As a general rule, a 4-year minimum service commitment is required, but depending on the branch and the specific job you want, each will have their own service commitment requirements.

3. Do I Have a Choice of Where I Will be Stationed After Boot Camp?

A common misconception among new recruits is that they have the opportunity to choose where they are stationed upon graduating from boot camp. If your recruiter tells you this, ensure that you get it in writing. Verbal agreements do not hold water and the military sends people where they need them, not where the person wants to go.

4. How Long is Basic Training?

Everyone goes through boot camp or basic training. This is where you are trained for an average of 8 weeks, but depending on the branch enlisted into, basic training standards may be different.

5. I Want a Specific Job. Can I Talk to Someone Who Does That Job?

Knowing what you want to do as your job in the military is great, but unless you have experience in that particular job, you may not know what you are getting into. Ask your recruiter for the phone number of someone who is in that field so you can gain perspective.

6. Will I Be Deployed?

It is common knowledge that deployment is a keen possibility in today’s world. Even though war zones are dying down, we still have need of qualified military professionals throughout the world, so you never know if or when your country will call on you for a specific service.

7. What is the Pay and are the Bonuses?

You will not start out making a lot of money as a private, but as you climb up in rank, your pay will increase as well. However, certain bonuses are often a part of signing up, so you can get upwards $20,000 for enlisting.

8. Can I Join if I Have a Medical Condition?

No one is perfect and we all have specific medical conditions that need to be addressed. If you have a certain health condition, ask about waivers you can sign or if they even accept applicants with your condition. In most cases, it is not a problem.

9. Can I Join if I Have an Arrest Record?

This question can vary depending on what the charge was and if we are currently in a wartime state. Both the army and marines have been known to relax rules regarding arrest records when they really need people in service.

10. Will My Vision Impairments Keep Me from Joining?

Vision requirements were once strict in military branches, but due to increased vision technology, the rules have been drastically relaxed. Generally speaking, your vision should not impact your ability to enlist, however, there are requirements for specific jobs, so ask if you have a certain job you are trying for.

11. Will the Military Help Me Get to College?

The GI bill has been a part of the military for many years and is very enticing to those who wish to continue their education after their service requirements have been met. It is what entices so many young recruits into enlisting.

12. Can My GI Bill Be Saved?

In most cases, yes, your GI Bill can be saved to be used later or if your child or spouse wishes to attend college.

13. Do I Have to Cut My Hair?

For men, yes, always. Women have certain hair cuts that are available to choose from.

14. Can My Family Come with Me?

Most military branches work to keep families together. Provided you are legally married, your family comes along with you when you are stationed. However, in the event you are deployed, your family will have to stay behind. However, this rule is even relaxed in the Air Force as families can travel on deployment.

15. What About Time Off?

Time off is given on various levels. It is based on the requirements of the military branch and the specific needs of the soldier. In the event of a family emergency, provided you are not in a war zone, most often you will be given leave.

16. What Are Living Conditions Like?

Most likely, you will be living on base for the majority of your time in the military. Military housing is available for families, but while you are in basic training expect to live in the barracks on base.

17. When Will I Take the ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery?

In some cases, the ADVAB is given to students in school, but if you have not taken it in school, ask your recruiter about when you can take it and how to prepare. The higher your score, the more options you have as far as proposed military jobs.

18. When Does Basic Training Start?

You will not be shipped off to basic training the moment you finish your paperwork. A MEPS officer or Military Entrance Processing Station will set up when you go to basic training according to your individual needs. Those who are currently in college wait until the end of the semester or upon graduation.

19. What Documents Do I Need?

Generally, the documents required for enlistment include your birth certificate, driver’s license, social security card, transcripts form school, medical documents, marriage license, high school diploma, and anything else deemed appropriate by the recruiter.

20. Is a Complete Medical or Legal History Required?

Yes, they need to know all medical conditions along with any possible legal history that could potentially keep you from enlisting.

The military is an opportunity for you to serve your country and get an education while doing it. Whether you are serving 4 years or looking to make a career out of it with longer service, these questions will help you get started.

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