What is the main difference between enlisting in the military and being commissioned as an officer?

Enlisted personnel have specialties within the military. They perform specific job functions and have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to ensure the success of their unit’s missions. Officers manage enlisted personnel. They plan missions, provide orders, and assign tasks.

What is enlisting in the military?

To be “enlisted” in the military, means that an individual has successfully gone through the process of becoming a soldier and has taken an oath of U.S. military service. The enlistment process will usually begin with speaking with a military recruiter and visiting a Military Entrance Processing Station.

What is the difference between enlisted and officer careers in the military?

Both enlisted and officer careers provide rewarding experiences, educational and training benefits, and competitive compensation, but the requirements, commitments, and responsibilities are different for enlisted service members vs. officers.

What are the height and weight requirements for the military?

Height and Weight Standards. For most of the military, male applicants need to be between 60 inches and 80 inches tall. For female applicants, the range is between 58 inches and 80 inches. The Marines have separate standards: Male applicants should be between 58 and 78 inches tall, and female applicants between 58 and 72 inches tall.

What are the ranks after you enlist in the military?

After you enlist, you may work toward a college degree and strive to become an officer, if you wish. The top rank that can be earned for initial enlistment is E-3.

What are the requirements for enlisting in the military?

To enlist, you must be qualified under current federal laws and regulations or have an appropriate waiver. There are age, citizenship, physical, education, height/weight, criminal record, medical, and drug history standards that can exclude you from joining the military.