Which Branch of the Military Should I Join?
Students considering a military career have multiple branches to choose from, and each one offers its own unique culture, lifestyle, and career opportunities.
With the numerous options and factors to consider, it’s no surprise that many students struggle to answer the deceptively simple question, “Which branch of the military should I join?”
Here’s some good news: we can help you answer that question confidently.
In this blog post, we’ll describe the different military branches and explain why you should choose one branch over the others.
The different military branches
The military has six different branches:
- Army
- Air Force
- Navy
- Marine Corps
- Coast Guard
- Space Force
Below, we provide an overview of each one:
1) Army
The Army is the country’s oldest branch of the military and is responsible for ground operations, defense, and support. This branch has four focus areas: warfighting, continuous transformation, delivering ready combat formations, and strengthening the profession.
Those who join the Army can expect intense physical training, specialized job training, and a broad range of missions.
To join the army, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between 17 and 35 years old
- Be medically and physically fit
- Be a U.S. citizen or a lawful permanent resident with a valid Green Card
- Have a high school degree or GED
- Earn a minimum score on the Army’s entrance test
2) Air Force
The primary responsibility of Air Force members is to carry out air-based military operations. This military branch has over 689,000 personnel, and they support five key functions:
- air superiority
- global strike
- rapid global mobility
- intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance
- command and control
To join the Air Force, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between the ages of 17 and have not reached your 42nd birthday
- Be a current U.S. citizen and have obtained either a high school diploma or GED
- Don't have any serious law violations or drug use or serious health problems
- Pass the Armed Services Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and a physical
3) Navy
Navy members are tasked with protecting waterways and providing runways for aircraft when at sea.
The Navy deploys approximately 50,000 Sailors globally aboard its 100 ships, and Sailors enjoy fulfilling careers in high-demand fields like aviation, healthcare, and nuclear operations.
To join the Navy, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be a U.S. citizen; or Legal Permanent Resident (Enlisted)
- Be between the ages of 17 and 41 for Enlisted programs.
- Have a high school diploma or GED equivalent (Enlisted) or have a four-year degree from an accredited university (Officer)
- Have a qualifying score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test (Enlisted) or the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) and Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB) (Officer)
- Pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam
- Meet the physical, mental and moral standards of the Navy
4) Marine Corps
Although a distinct military branch, the Marine Corps is also a component of the Department of the Navy. Marines help other branches in land, sea, and air combat and operations.
To do this, Marines undergo rigorous combat training. They also receive specialized training to develop expertise in their Military Occupational Speciality, which includes the ground, aviation, cyber, and naval justice fields.
To join the Marine Corps, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 28
- Have a high school diploma
- Be a legal U.S. resident
- Pass a criminal background check and have no felony convictions
- Pass the Initial Strength Test (IST) to demonstrate physical fitness
- Earn a minimum score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
5) Coast Guard
The Coast Guard enforces maritime laws, provides marine and environmental protection, secures waterways, and offers military naval support.
During peacetime, the Coast Guard is a part of the Department of Homeland Security. It functions under the Navy during times of war.
On a daily basis, Coast Guardsmen are expected to:
- Control the U.S. border and maritime approaches
- Conduct military operations to defend the nation
- Maintain the flow of maritime commerce
- Save lives
To join the Coast Guard, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be between the ages of 17 and 41
- Be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident
- Have a high school diploma or equivalent
- Earn a minimum score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
6) Space Force
The core functions of the Space Force, which is organized under the Department of the Air Force, are space superiority, global mission operations, and assured access to space.
These functions enable Guardians, as Space Force members are known, to defend against space threats, integrate functions globally, and deploy and maintain space equipment.
To join the Space Force, you must meet the following requirements:
- Be 17 to 42 years of age
- Be a U.S. citizen
- Obtain a qualifying ASVAB score
Pros and cons of each military branch
Here’s a recap of each military branch, along with pros and cons for each:
6 factors to consider when choosing a military branch
When choosing a military branch, keep the following factors in mind:
- Personal and career goals: Choose a military branch that offers careers in fields you’re interested in.
- Branch culture: Determine what kind of lifestyle you want to have (e.g., structured, physically demanding, or slow-paced) and choose the branch that provides that.
- Physical fitness level: How physically active do you want to be? The Army and Marines are both physically demanding, while the Air and Space Forces have more office roles.
- Location preferences: Some branches offer you flexibility in where you’re stationed, whereas others give you less say.
- Qualifications: Make sure you meet the requirements for the branch you’d like to join.
- Educational and financial benefits: Branches offer varying levels of education and financial benefits, with the Army providing some of the best benefits.
Which branch of the military should I join?
Still undecided about which branch of the military you should join? No worries! We have a list of personal qualities associated with each one to help guide your decision-making.
Find your military-friendly match with Appily
Now that you understand each branch and what it offers, you can make an informed decision about where to enlist. If you also have the goal of attending college—whether while in the military or further down the line—you’ll need further guidance on which program to choose.
Appily can aid that process as well. With a free account, you can explore different schools, including colleges that support military-affiliated students, and choose the best one for you.
Click the button below to sign up and find your military-friendly match.
