3 answers
Mattie
Student
Franklin, Pennsylvania
1
Question
Asked
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I'm 15 years old and I want to join the Army, what do I do?
What are the different job roles available? What does the enlistment process look like? What are the physical and educational requirements? I know that this is a lot of questions but I am very curious and interested... I don't think that an Army Recruiter would talk to a trans (FTM), shy, 15 year old high scholar... I'm just very scared of what my parents would think of me... and how long should I even do it for? I'm confused on what I want to do with myself... Any tips?
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3 answers
Rafael Diaz Montelongo
Consultant
395
Answers
Raleigh, North Carolina
Updated
Rafael’s Answer
Hi Mattie,
At 15, you have some time to prepare. You can enlist at 17 with parental consent or wait until 18. Focus on doing well in school for your diploma or GED, and start a workout routine to meet the Army's fitness standards. When the time comes, a recruiter will guide you through everything, including choosing a job that matches your interests—whether it's tech, medical, or combat roles. The Army supports LGBTQ+ individuals, so you have that backing as well. Talk to your parents about your goals; they might be more supportive than you expect. In the meantime, explore different careers, volunteer, or get a part-time job to find what excites you. You are on the right track by exploring your options!
At 15, you have some time to prepare. You can enlist at 17 with parental consent or wait until 18. Focus on doing well in school for your diploma or GED, and start a workout routine to meet the Army's fitness standards. When the time comes, a recruiter will guide you through everything, including choosing a job that matches your interests—whether it's tech, medical, or combat roles. The Army supports LGBTQ+ individuals, so you have that backing as well. Talk to your parents about your goals; they might be more supportive than you expect. In the meantime, explore different careers, volunteer, or get a part-time job to find what excites you. You are on the right track by exploring your options!
Thank you so much for the advice.
Mattie
Karin P.
Lecturer, Academic Advisor, Career Coach
488
Answers
Göttingen, Lower Saxony, Germany
Updated
Karin’s Answer
Hi Mattie,
At 15 you are still too young to join the army, but you can get the information you need. I left a few links for you below that will answer most of your questions. There is also a recruiting station in Franklin if you want to talk to someone. It's their job to talk to people interested in joining.
One of the Trump Executive Orders aims to ban transgender people from enlisting and to remove trans people from military service. A judge has blocked the ban for now, but we won't know the final outcome before this has made its way through the courts, probably up to the Supreme Court. By the time you are 17 and old enough to enlist, the situation might be different.
I hope this helps for now! All the best to you! Stay safe!
KP
https://www.goarmy.com/
https://members.venangochamber.org/list/member/united-states-army-franklin-recruiting-station-32042
https://nationalguard.com/recruiter
At 15 you are still too young to join the army, but you can get the information you need. I left a few links for you below that will answer most of your questions. There is also a recruiting station in Franklin if you want to talk to someone. It's their job to talk to people interested in joining.
One of the Trump Executive Orders aims to ban transgender people from enlisting and to remove trans people from military service. A judge has blocked the ban for now, but we won't know the final outcome before this has made its way through the courts, probably up to the Supreme Court. By the time you are 17 and old enough to enlist, the situation might be different.
I hope this helps for now! All the best to you! Stay safe!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Donna Hull
Engineer
73
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Hi Mattie;
I feel your fears and anxiety about the future. A couple things to point out. This is YOUR future! Parents try to steer their children where they think they will be the most productive member of society but in the end it is your choice.
As above members suggested, focus for now on your grades and your physical fitness. Part of the recruiting process they will be pulling your medical records. So make sure you understand if there are any ailments or history which may disqualify you or require you to have a waiver.
Your ASVAB scores will help evaluate for the recruiters the best jobs you have an aptitude for. And the recruiter will help guide you through a selection process. Just remember the recruiters job is to fill the open positions at that specific time. As you are not committed to any specific job field this makes it a little more easy. But certainly if the jobs they are offering are not appealing to you, you may want to have a plan B.
Loving and hating your time in the military will hinge on your job selection. A good job selection may give you a 20 year career (retirement). A bad one will make you hate every day, until your enlistment is up.
Do your research. Talk to other military people. Do you have an ROTC in your school, it is a good way to get a taste of what the Army/ military will be like. Why Army? Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force. or National Guard.
https://ahec.armywarcollege.edu/ U.S. Army and Education Center Museum in Carlisle, PA FIELD TRIP
https://www.goarmy.com/
I feel your fears and anxiety about the future. A couple things to point out. This is YOUR future! Parents try to steer their children where they think they will be the most productive member of society but in the end it is your choice.
As above members suggested, focus for now on your grades and your physical fitness. Part of the recruiting process they will be pulling your medical records. So make sure you understand if there are any ailments or history which may disqualify you or require you to have a waiver.
Your ASVAB scores will help evaluate for the recruiters the best jobs you have an aptitude for. And the recruiter will help guide you through a selection process. Just remember the recruiters job is to fill the open positions at that specific time. As you are not committed to any specific job field this makes it a little more easy. But certainly if the jobs they are offering are not appealing to you, you may want to have a plan B.
Loving and hating your time in the military will hinge on your job selection. A good job selection may give you a 20 year career (retirement). A bad one will make you hate every day, until your enlistment is up.
Do your research. Talk to other military people. Do you have an ROTC in your school, it is a good way to get a taste of what the Army/ military will be like. Why Army? Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force. or National Guard.
Donna recommends the following next steps: