Basic Qualifications
To join the Army, you must be an American citizen between 17 and 35 years old with a Social Security number. You must be a high school graduate or have a GED certificate, and you must have completed at least 15 credits of college. If you don't have your 15 credits yet, the government can cover the cost. You must speak English well enough to understand the Army's enlistment oath, and you must pass a test called the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. The ASVAB determines which specializations you can train in after boot camp.
Disqualifications
New recruits for the Army must not have a history of drug use, drinking problems or serious criminal convictions. The Army expects new recruits to honestly and accurately report past legal troubles, including speeding tickets. Felony convictions and violent sexual offenses disqualify you from joining the Army, but misdemeanors might not, depending on the nature and frequency of the offense and how much time has passed since your conviction. All visible tattoos must be inoffensive. Recruits can be disqualified if they have more than two dependents.
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Weight Requirements
New recruits must pass a physical before entering boot camp and must meet the Army's standards for weight. These standards vary based on height and gender. For instance, a 6-foot tall male recruit between the ages of 17 and 21 must weigh between 131 and 200 pounds. A 5-foot tall female recruit between the ages of 21 and 27 must weigh between 94 and 123 pounds. Potential recruits who weigh more than the limit are assessed for body fat and might be disqualified. For example, a male recruit between the ages of 28 and 39 who weighs more than the Army standard and also has more than 28 percent body fat can't join the Army and attend boot camp. The Army has a weight-loss program for overweight recruits, called the Assessment of Recruit Motivation and Strength program. Overweight recruits who pass this program might still be able to enlist.
Physical Fitness Standards
To graduate boot camp, recruits must pass the Army Physical Fitness Test. This test includes push-ups, sit-ups and a run of two miles. To pass the PFT, recruits must earn 50 points in each of these three areas. The Army advises recruits to practice these exercises and self-assess before boot camp. Expectations vary based on age and gender. A male recruit between the ages of 17 and 21 would need to do 35 push ups in two minutes, 47 sit ups in two minutes, and run two miles in 16 minutes, 36 seconds to earn 50 points in each section of the test. A female recruit between the ages of 27 and 31 would need to do 10 push-ups, 36 sit-ups and run two miles in 21 minutes and 42 seconds to earn the same score.