Lexi Webster
To join the U.S. military, you must be a U.S. citizen or have a Permanent Resident Visa (also known as a Green Card). Additionally, you must be under 34, have no more than two dependents, be a high school graduate, and pass mental and physical tests. Australian citizens who want to join the U.S. military must meet these requirements. Some roles in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) also require a relevant degree, but it is unclear whether an Australian degree is accepted by the U.S. military as equivalent to a U.S. degree. Australian citizens interested in joining the U.S. military should contact the U.S. Embassy in Canberra for more information.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country of Citizenship | Must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident (Green Card holder) |
| Education | High school diploma or equivalent is required; a college degree is needed to join as an officer |
| Age | Under 34 years old |
| Dependents | No more than two dependents |
| Physical Fitness | Must pass a physical fitness test |
| Security Clearance | Required for all ADF members; Australian citizenship is typically required for security clearance |
| Military Experience | Overseas applicants with relevant military experience from allied countries may be eligible |
| Australian Military Academies | Australian citizens can attend U.S. military academies if nominated by the coinciding Australian service |
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What You'll Learn
Requirements to join the US military
To join the US military, there are several requirements that individuals must meet. Firstly, applicants must be either US citizens or permanent residents with a Green Card, and they must be under the age of 34, with proof of age. Additionally, they can have no more than two dependents and must have graduated from high school or obtained an equivalent qualification.
All potential recruits must also pass rigorous mental and physical health evaluations to ensure they can handle the demands of military service. This includes a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam, which assesses vision, hearing, and mental health, among other elements of physical health. Certain mental health conditions or criminal records may disqualify applicants from serving, although waivers may be granted in some cases.
Another requirement is taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, which determines the jobs recruits are qualified to perform within the military. Each military branch has unique roles and cultures, and specific age requirements, so it is essential to research and consider which branch is the best fit.
For those interested in attending a US Military Academy, additional prerequisites apply, and Australian citizens must be nominated by their coinciding Australian service.
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Australian citizens and US military academies
To join the U.S. Armed Forces, you must be either a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Visa. However, Australian citizens who wish to attend U.S. military academies can do so if they meet all the prerequisites and are nominated by the coinciding Australian service. For example, the Australian Navy can nominate personnel to attend the U.S. Naval Academy.
The Australian Defence Force (ADF) has recently changed its policy to allow non-Australian citizens to join and commence the citizenship process. However, a security clearance, which is required for all ADF members, will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
In exceptional circumstances, if a position cannot be filled by an Australian citizen, the citizenship requirement may be waived, and applications may be accepted from permanent residents who can prove they have applied for citizenship. Overseas applicants with relevant military experience may be eligible to start a new career in the ADF and a new life in Australia through a lateral transfer.
There are several other countries that recruit foreigners into their militaries. For example, the Luxembourg Army accepts any citizen of a country in the European Union who has resided in Luxembourg for at least 36 months and is at least 18 years old but not yet 27. The French Foreign Legion, a corps of the French Army, accepts foreigners willing to serve in the French Armed Forces. The Russian Armed Forces accept foreigners of any country to their ranks, offering them Russian citizenship after serving three years.
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Australian Defence Force (ADF) citizenship requirements
Australian Citizenship is a requirement for a security clearance to join the Australian Defence Force (ADF). However, there have been recent changes, and non-Australian citizens may now be eligible to join the ADF and commence the citizenship process. A clearance will only be granted to a non-citizen in exceptional circumstances.
To obtain the minimum-security clearance, you must have lived in Australia or have a checkable background for the past ten years. This is the minimum entry-level requirement. For higher-level clearances, you will need to refer to the Citizen Requirements section of the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA) website.
New Zealanders who call Australia home will be the first non-Australian citizens able to join the ADF under expanded eligibility criteria. Permanent residents wishing to join the ADF must have lived in Australia for at least one year before applying, not have served in a foreign military in the preceding two years, and be able to attain Australian citizenship.
Other requirements to join the ADF include age, education, and fitness. The minimum and maximum ages vary by role, but you need to be at least 17 when you enter the ADF. Some roles require a relevant degree specific to your chosen role. You may need to pass a physical fitness test before you join.
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Foreigners in the US military
To join the US military, you must be a US citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Visa (also known as a Green Card). Other requirements include being under the age of 34, having no more than two dependents, being a high school graduate, and being able to pass mental and physical tests.
Foreign-born individuals may be eligible to serve in the US military if deemed to have skills or expertise that are "vital to the national interest". An example of this was the Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest (MAVNI) program, which ran from 2008 to 2016. This program allowed eligible noncitizens, including refugees, asylees, and certain nonimmigrant visa holders, to join the military in exchange for expedited US citizenship.
In addition, citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau are eligible for US military service due to their countries' free association with the United States.
In Australia, citizens can join the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and may be nominated by their service to attend a US Military Academy. For example, the Australian Navy can nominate personnel to attend the US Naval Academy.
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US military fitness requirements
To join the U.S. military, one must be either a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Visa and be under the age of 34. In addition, one must be able to pass specific mental and physical tests.
The U.S. Army, for example, has a fitness test called the Army Fitness Test (AFT) that assesses and improves physical strength, mental toughness, coordination, and flexibility. The AFT is scored differently based on gender and age, with a minimum passing score of 60 points for each event and a total score of 300 for all five events. The events include lifting a 60-pound hex bar and plates, hand-release push-ups, a 50-meter shuttle sprint, a plank, and a two-mile run.
The Marines have a similar test, the Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test (PFT), which consists of pull-ups or push-ups, a plank, and a three-mile timed run. The PFT evaluates stamina and physical conditioning, with males and females having different time requirements for the run.
In addition to these formal fitness tests, the U.S. Army also has Unit Physical Training (Unit PT), which is part of the daily routine and ensures soldiers are ready to perform their jobs and maintain a minimum fitness level. Athletic and training facilities are provided to help soldiers stay fit and prevent injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
To join the U.S. Armed Forces, you must be either a U.S. citizen or possess a Permanent Resident Visa (aka Green Card). Other requirements include being under the age of 34, having proof of age, having no more than two dependents, being a high school graduate, and being able to pass mental and physical tests.
A degree is not required to join the U.S. Military. However, a high school diploma or general equivalency diploma (GED) is necessary for enlistment. If you have a GED, possessing a degree from a four-year college can improve your chances of joining as an officer.
Australian citizens can join the U.S. Military if they meet the basic requirements, including possessing a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card). Additionally, Australian citizens with relevant military experience can apply to attend U.S. Military Academies, such as the U.S. Naval Academy, with a nomination from the coinciding Australian service.
Some roles in the ADF require a relevant degree specific to the chosen role. However, the primary eligibility factor for ADF membership is Australian citizenship or permanent residency, along with meeting fitness and security clearance requirements.
Yes, Australian citizens with relevant foreign military experience can apply to join the U.S. Armed Forces. They must meet the basic requirements, including possessing a Green Card, and be willing to apply for U.S. citizenship. In certain areas of defence involving sensitive work with ASIO or ASIS, citizenship is mandatory.
