How long does joining the army take

This is a program but limited in scope compared to the majority of enlistments into the military: The National Call to Service - All of the services also participate in the Congressional - mandated National Call to Service Program.

Under this program, following basic training and an advanced training school, a member spends 15 months on active duty full time , followed by a minimum of two years in the active drilling Guard or Reserves, with the remainder of the total eight-year commitment in the IRR.

However, all the services except the Army strictly limit the number of folks who can enlist under this program each year. That's right — when you sign on the dotted line, you commit yourself for eight years. But the ways to serve can be in active duty, reserves, or Individual Ready Reserves. However, most of these contracts are four to six years of active duty followed by the remaining years in the Reserves or IRR.

The Reserves or National Guard duty is a part-time soldier but a way to complete your commitment with the military by going to drill one weekend per month, and two weeks per year. You are subject to be called to active duty should the need arise.

In the IRR, individuals are not required to drill, nor do they draw any pay, but their names remain on a list and they can be recalled to active duty at any time until their total eight-year service obligation is complete. In fact, for the war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army has already recalled over 5, soldiers in the IRR back to active duty so far, the Army is the only service who has recalled IRR.

For example, let's say you enlist in the Army on a two-year active duty contract. The number of shots you receive at basic training all depend on your vaccination history. You only receive the shots you actually need. Most recruits receive of the army shots below.

It just all depends on you. If you are allergic to any medications, such as penicillin, you will not be getting those shots either. When entering basic training, you only receive shots you do not currently have. So while waiting to go to basic, why not find out what vaccinations you need? Every year, thousands of foreign-born service members and their family members become naturalized U. Learn more about steps to become a U.

Prefer to live chat? Start now. As of , Department of Defense policy changes to how foreign-born service members may apply for U. During your meeting the team will help you plan what you need to do to go on to the next stage. Your assessment will take 2 days and will take place in one of our Assessment Centres in the UK. We will arrange for your travel to get there. During your stay, you'll be assessed on the following:. If you're successful at the Assessment Centre, you'll have the chance to enlist at the end of your time there.

You can choose to do this, or wait to enlist when you arrive back at your unit. Find out more about what to expect at assessment. Once you've passed the assessment centre, and you've enlisted.