How Long Does It Take To Become A Soldier?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Basic Combat Training (BCT) is a training course that transforms civilians into Soldiers. Over the course of

10-16 weeks

, depending on your military occupational specialty (MOS), trainees will learn basic tactical and survival skills, along with how to shoot, rappel, and march.

How long does it take to join the army?

Most first-term enlistments require a commitment to

four years of active duty and two years of inactive

(Individual Ready Reserve

How long does it take to be a US Army soldier?

Usually, you'll sign up for

four years of active duty and four years inactive

. After you've completed your active duty time, you can either extend your contract or re-enlist if you want to continue serving. Officers make up a much smaller part of the workforce.

What qualifications do you need to be a soldier?

  • You must be a U.S. citizen or a resident alien.
  • Be between the ages of 17-34. …
  • Have a high school diploma.
  • Have no more than two dependents.
  • Pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test.
  • Pass a Military Entrance Processing Station medical exam.

Is Army training hard?


Army Basic Training

is both physically and mentally demanding, but knowing what to expect before you get there will help you start off on the right foot for your Army journey. And at some point during basic, you'll be grateful for any leg up you can get.

What GPA do you need to join the army?

Have a

high school GPA of at least 2.50 or College cumulative GPA of a 2.0 (minimum)

Have a high school diploma or equivalent. Meet physical standards (Pass the Army Physical Fitness Test). Have no medical issues preventing you from serving.

What is the salary of a soldier?

Annual Salary Monthly Pay Top Earners $50,000 $4,166 75th Percentile $35,500 $2,958 Average

$30,572


$2,547
25th Percentile $25,000 $2,083

What skills do soldiers need?

  • physical fitness and endurance.
  • concentration skills and fast reactions.
  • active listening skills and the ability to follow instructions quickly.
  • the ability to work well with others in a team.
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations.

How many hours a week does a soldier work?

You are on call 24 hours, 7 days a week. Full-time jobs are usually

35-50 hours per week

.

Do military recruiters lie?

shows. Unfortunately, some

(perhaps even many) recruiters do lie

. Obviously it's a detestable thing to give misleading information just to help your sales numbers, especially when it's a substantial stretch of a recruit's life that may result in him or her in a combat environment.

What happens if you go AWOL in basic training?

The worst option for someone trying to get out of boot camp is going AWOL, meaning

absent without leave

. Once you've signed your recruitment contract, you're legally bound to the military. A recruit simply walking away from the military is considered desertion, which carries a criminal penalty.

Is it hard to fail basic training?



Yes, it is possible to fail basic training

. You could go through the trouble of leaving your home, job, family and friends and come back a failure. In fact, this happens to about 15% of recruits who join the military every year. Too many recruits I speak to think that it is impossible to fail basic training.

How much do I have to weigh to be in the Army?

As of 2020, the height requirement is 58-78 inches (147-198 centimeters) for men and 58-72 inches (147-183 centimeters) for women. The maximum weight allowed varies by height, from

148 to 267 pounds (67 to 121 kilograms) for men

and 120 to 184 pounds (54 to 83 kilograms) for women.

Do you have to be smart to join the Army?

All military

recruits must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) to qualify for

. The ASVAB is essentially an IQ test (correlation = 0.8). … To qualify, recruits must score higher than roughly one-third of all who take the ASVAB.

Can you have tattoos in the Army?

The Army tattoo policy was updated and relaxed in 2015 but is still one of the most strict in the military.

It prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar

. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited.

How much do soldiers earn monthly?

Annual Salary Monthly Pay Top Earners $50,000 $4,166 75th Percentile $35,500 $2,958 Average

$30,572


$2,547
25th Percentile $25,000 $2,083
Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.