• Learn the requirements to be on active military duty.uniform from dutch army image by Ivonne Wierink from Fotolia.com
  
  Examine all pros and cons of joining the United States military before enlisting. Consider the lifestyle change, actual job, and whether you'll need to relocate, as well as the benefits and opportunities which the military affords. This conscious commitment is what keeps the armed forces strong, and active duty requirements are a part of the enlistment process.
  
  

Age and Education

• Enlistees must be between 17 and 34 years old, and be a United States citizen or a resident alien. A high school diploma or equivalent is required. Applicants must either be single or be married with fewer than two children.
  
  

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery

• The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a test of 200 questions with such varying topics as general science, math reasoning, word knowledge and comprehension, numerical operations, mechanical comprehension and electronics. The test is timed at 180 minutes, and is multiple choice.
  
  

Physical Exam

• The physical enlistment exam occurs during boot camp and basic combat training, which lasts nine weeks. The physical exam consists of three parts that are meant to test endurance. The two minutes of push-ups test the shoulder, triceps and chest muscles. The two minutes of sit-ups measure abdominal and hip-flexor strength. Finally, the two-mile run tests cardiopulmonary endurance and leg muscles.