Joining the U.S. Marines is a serious commitment you should not make on impulse, but can lead to a great life if you meet the requirements to join the Marines.
There is a certain amount of romance involved in joining the U.S. Marines,
one of the most elite branches of the service. However, putting your life on the line in foreign lands can quickly diminish the romance, so joining the Marines is not something you should do on impulse or because your dad or uncle was in that branch of the service. But if you do decide to join, you must meet specific Marine entrance requirements.
Educational Requirements To Join the Marines
To qualify for most jobs in the Marines, you need to have good math and reading skills and have your high school diploma in hand. If you have a GED, you'll need a special waiver to admit you unless you have 15 hours of college credit under your belt. Formal education will help you do well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a standardized test that you have to take upon enlistment.
If you'd like to be an officer in the Marine Corps, you need a degree in any major from an accredited college or university. Entering the Marine Corps as an officer will put you on the equivalent to a management track in civilian life and offers you better pay and allowances than enlisted forces.
Age Requirements To Join the Marines
Joining the Marines is a young person's game. The age parameters are between 17 and 29, but you'll require a special waiver if you're 17.
Physical Requirements To Join the Marines
Marine basic training is grueling, so if you want to join the Marines you'll need to be in good shape and be able to pass a standard physical. Contrary to popular misconception, you do not need perfect vision but can wear glasses or contacts or have had laser surgery to correct any vision issues. If you're colorblind, you may not qualify for certain jobs.
New male recruits must be between 58 and 78 inches tall and have no more than 18% body fat. For females, height requirements fall between 50 and 72 inches with no more than 26% body fat.
Character Requirements To Join the Marines
The Marine Corps wants people of good moral character. If you have a few minor traffic infractions or misdemeanors you will still qualify for entrance, but anything more serious or multiple offenses may disqualify you. If you are currently dependent on alcohol or drugs you won't make it, and past drug use might bar you as well.
Citizenship Requirements To Join the Marines
If you want to serve in the Marines, you do not have to be a citizen. As long as you have a green card and meet other requirements, you are welcome in the Marines. Some jobs may have security clearances you can't meet, but if you decide to become a citizen, you will have a fuller range of jobs.
To get a full picture of the requirements to join the Marines, make sure to talk to a recruiter about your situation. A recruiter's job is to sign up qualified recruits, but he or she will also talk to you without obligation if you have questions.
