How old do you have to be to go in the navy?

Answer 1

Entrance requirements tend to be a bit relaxed during times of war or crisis, so if you want to join now is a good time. General requirements are that you must be a US Citizen (for most all rates), between 17 & 34 years of age (17 requires parental consent to join), have a HS diploma or GED, and generally good health and vision. Though there are upper and lower limits, it's usually health problems that disqualify most people who want to join. Certain problems, like Asthma, are automatic disqualifiers, unless you're like me and obtained it as a result of being in the Navy. Basically if you haven't got anything that contagious, requires constant treatment, or is handicapping, you shouldn't have a problem. For some cases, there are waivers, but not often.

Criminal record - other than minor traffic fines (speeding, etc.), anything of consequence (misdemeanors, felonies, major traffic violations (DUI, etc.) drug use, etc., can get you DQ's. It's not necessarily that you can't do the job - the problem is that virtually every job in the Navy requires some type of security clearance, and with anything other than minor problems in your record, you wouldn't be able to pass a background investigation. No BI, no clearance, and no job. It's also the reason that Veterans are more sought after for civilian jobs requiring clearances - contractors neither have to pay for a full BI, and they get someone with experience. BI's are very expensive.

Height/Weight - You must meet certain height & weight requirements also.

In addition to the basic educational requirements, you must also pass the ASVAB - the Armed Forces entrance exame, which is like a compehensive SAT. Your score determines your job/rating eligibility, and hence your career path. I was fortunate to score high enough that I was able to pick whatever I wanted. Since I knew I wanted and electronics career and wanted to ride submarines, I chose to be a Submarine Sonar Technician on a fast-attack submarine.

You can view the list of requirements at the Navy Recruiting Command site or at Military.com:

http://www.navy.com/about/before/enlistmentstandards/

http://www.military.com/Recruiting/Content/0,13898,rec_splash,,00.html

Answer 2

* All you do is go to a recruiting liason fill out a lot of paperwork. They send you to meps and they do a bunch of medical tests and observations to see if your fit. If you pass they send everything back you fill out more paperwork. They ask you when you want to go to bootcamp and they find a bulletin in that time. they send you to meps again and this time its to ship you off.

Answer 3

You're graduating from high school and want to enlist in the Navy. Smart decision. You must be no older than 34 but at least 17 years old. However, if you are not yet 18, you must have parental consent. (The Navy Reserve has slightly different age standards.) per http://www.navy.com/about/before/enlistmentstandards/#requirements

Answer 4

Boot camp lasts 2 months and then, if you go to "A" school, if is whatever number of months needed to complete that school. After completion, you receive your first duty assignment and are sent there to start your career in the fleet.