How much training do you need to be in the military?

Depends.

If you enlist in the military, none. Enlisted members of the services attend eight plus weeks of training, length depends on the branch of service, where you’ll learn to work as a team, learn the importance of attention to detail, and run through various physical and mental exercises meant to teach and prepare you for necessary combat skills. After you’ve successfully completed the first let if your training, you’ll attend a technical school where the military will teach you the skills to perform whatever career field you’ll end up in. Some people wait for a specific job while some take whatever is available at the time of enlistment, but either way jobs are based off military need. After that, you’ll head to your first duty station likely, or more additional training, where you’ll spend your career continuing your education, with both formal and informal training.

If you choose to become an officer however, you’ll need at least a bachelors degree, although you’re not guaranteed to end up in the same career field in the military. If you choose this route, when you first commission, you’ll attend an officer training program, similar to enlisted basic training, and a technical training school for whatever your career field may be. Again, officers continue their education through leadership courses and attending war college, amongst other things.

However, no matter if you choose to enlist or become an officer, both physical and mental training is the most important thing. Physically you’ll need to be able to endure some tough things, so a healthy physique is a necessity. But more importantly, mental training, being as prepared as you can be for what you may encounter and endure.