If you are interested in supporting the US Navy’s mission to make the seas free and safe for travel and trade, then join the more than 400,000 active-duty and reserve men and women who do that daily. Opportunities range from serving on surface ships or submarines to flying jets from a carrier to working in the fields of electronics, engineering, cyber warfare, nuclear propulsion and aviation, to serving in special operations or intelligence while possibly traveling the world.
Requirements to Join the Navy
Enlisted
Enlisted sailors are the backbone of the Navy, making up about 83% of the service. Each member has his or her own specialized training and fills a role within their unit.
Navy requirements to join as an enlisted sailor are as follows. You must:
- Be between 17 and 41 years old (Enlisted). Age requirements for officer programs vary.
- Meet the physical, mental and moral standards of the Navy.
- Hold U.S. citizenship or be a legal permanent resident.
- Earn a minimum Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score of 31 on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test (Enlisted).
- Pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam.
In early 2024, the Navy dropped its requirement that enlisted sailors must have a high school diploma or GED equivalent, as long as they score 50 or higher on the AFQT.
Read More: Joining the Navy: Overview
Officer
Officers, which make up about 17% of the Navy, are the branch’s leaders. Commissioned officers handle a variety of duties at sea, in the air and ashore. They guide enlisted sailors and provide them with their assignments and orders on the job.
To join the Navy as an officer, you must:
- Be at least 19 years old generally, but age requirements for officer programs vary.
- Have a four-year degree from an accredited university
- Meet the physical, mental and moral standards of the Navy
- Hold U.S. citizenship
- Earn a minimum score on the Officer Aptitude Rating (OAR) or Aviation Selection Test Battery (ASTB)
- Pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam
There are several ways to become a Navy officer. Here are a few possible routes:
- The U.S. Naval Academy (USNA), which accepts high school graduates and provides the education and training necessary to make them commissioned officers by the time they graduate. Those who graduate from the academy serve for at least five years in the Navy.
- The Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (), which allows students to enroll in elective leadership and military courses at colleges and universities.
- Prior Service Members who have a college degree can apply for a commission into the Navy and an active-duty reserve officer.
- Enlisted sailors can move up in the ranks with the help of tuition assistance and the GI Bill through Enlisted-to-Officer scholarships and programs.
There are also direct commissioning programs for other qualified candidates. You can go through Officer Training Command (OTC), which includes:
- Officer Candidate School (OCS), a 13-week course open to those who already have a four-year degree.
- Officer Development School (ODS), designed to provide newly commissioned Navy officers with the basic information required to understand naval culture.
Finally, individuals with certain specialized skills and abilities may be eligible for a direct commission to become an officer. This typically includes fields such as law and medicine. Joining the Navy this way requires attending the Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course, a two-week program designed to train newly commissioned officers.
Read More: How to Become a Naval Officer
How to Join the Navy
The Navy recruitment process begins with working with a Navy recruiter. Recruiters know the ins and outs of the service and can help you navigate the process and make important decisions along the way.
There is no obligation when working with a recruiter. They will help you decide whether the Navy is right for you, and will shed light on which job opportunities within the service might be of interest if you sign up.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is an aptitude test that helps sailors narrow down which field of work is best suited for them. It is designed to evaluate skills in several areas, including math, science, language and technical knowledge such as electronics, automotive and mechanical abilities.
For enlistment into the Navy, you must get a minimum AFQT score of 31 on the ASVAB. Once you have qualified for enlistment based on your AFQT score, the Navy uses your line scores (a combination of all ASVAB areas) to match you with a rating that you qualify for.
In January 2024, the service announced that applicants with Armed Forces Qualification Test, or AFQT, scores of 50 or higher who do not have a diploma can still enlist. The AFQT is one type of ASVAB score, which determines whether you’re eligible to join the service.
Physical Examination
Once an applicant has taken the ASVAB and passed with a qualifying score, the recruiting process moves on to a medical exam at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).
The basic physical examination includes alcohol and drug testing; a urine check for indicators of glucose, protein, pregnancy and other health indicators; an HIV test; a vision test, including color perception; an ear exam and hearing test; blood pressure and pulse rate; an orthopedic and neurological demonstration and exam; plus an overall exam of the main body systems and organs.
Navy weight requirements are based on height and gender. For example, a 5’9″ man can weigh no more than 186 pounds. If you do not meet the weight requirements, an abdominal circumference and body mass index (BMI) measurement will be taken to determine if you meet Navy health requirements. View the Navy weight rules by height and gender here.
Military Training
Once you meet all Navy entrance requirements, you will be scheduled to attend one of the best-known aspects of the Navy recruiting process, Recruit Training Command, also known as Navy boot camp at the Great Lakes Naval Training Center north of Chicago for 9 weeks, you will be immersed in Navy culture and be transformed from a recruit into a sailor, not only physically but mentally. Boot camp involves intense physical fitness training. You’ll also learn about Navy values and traditions, teamwork, seamanship, firearms, firefighting and shipboard damage control.
Physical Fitness
The Navy’s Physical Readiness Test (PRT) is designed to measure both cardiovascular fitness and muscular endurance and is based on a maximum of 100 points.
The PRT consists of the following events which must be completed on the same day, with at least 5 minutes, but no more than 15 minutes between each event and in the following sequence:
- Push-ups
- Forearm plank
- Cardiorespiratory (1.5 mile run and/or walk, rower, stationary bike, treadmill, or swim)
Note: The 1.5-mile run/walk is the primary method for cardio fitness testing, but commanders have the authority to allow for alternate options.
Requirements are adjusted based on age and gender and the PRT is broken down into five scoring categories:
- Outstanding: Performance above or equal to top 10th percentile.
- Excellent: Performance in top 25th percentile, but less than Outstanding.
- Good: Performance better than or equal to lowest 25th percentile, but less than Excellent.
- Satisfactory/Probationary: Performance in bottom 25th percentile, but above lowest 10th percentile.
- Failure: Performance in lowest 10th percentile.
The lowest passing category is Probationary.
For example, as a minimum requirement to pass the PRT at boot camp, you must complete:
Men ages 17-19 (45 points):
- 42 push-ups
- 1:11 in the forearm plank
- 1.5-mile run in 12:45 or
- 2-km row in 9:20 or
- 500-yd swim in 12:45 or
- 450-m swim in 12:35
Women ages 17-19 (45 points):
- 19 push-ups
- 1:01 in the forearm plank
- 1.5-mile run in 15:00 or
- 2-km row in 10:40 or
- 500-yd swim in 14:15 or
- 450-m swim in 14:05
Navy JobsOnce you’ve completed boot camp, it’s time for your Navy job training to begin. This is officially done through the Navy Enlisted Classification (NEC) system.
There are more than 150 different roles in a variety of fields, including aviation, information warfare, medical, nuclear, security, special operations, submarine and more.
Read More: ASVAB Scores and Navy Jobs
The Oath
To be sworn into the Navy, you will take the Oath of Enlistment, which is a pledge to defend the Constitution throughout your military career. If you are entering as an officer, you’ll instead take the officer’s oath.
Benefits of Joining the Navy
Joining the Navy comes with a variety of benefits.
Basic Pay and Allowances
When you join the Navy, you will get pay raises based on your time in service and through promotions. As of 2026, basic pay for a Seaman Recruit (E-1) begins at $2,407.20 per month, or $28,886.40 annually. A Navy Ensign’s (O-1) initial basic pay is $4,150.20, or $49,802.40 per year.
When you join the Navy, your paycheck grows as you gain more experience and rise up the ranks. The service also offers a variety of allowances that increase your total compensation. These include free or reduced-cost health care, food, housing, education and more.
Full-time recruits can earn a variety of bonuses for enlisting in certain jobs, including for hazardous duty, advanced skills like aviation or high-demand roles such as health care.
Bonuses
Navy enlistment bonuses are offered for certain enlisted and officer jobs. For example, in 2026, you can earn up to $140,000 in stacked enlistment bonuses. For example, as a Special Warfare Combat Crewman (SWCC), you will get a $35,000 enlistment bonus, and if you agree to ship out quickly, you can earn an additional $25,00 bonus.
Educational Benefits
You can also attend college and join the Naval Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (NROTC), which helps pay for tuition and other expenses, and offers you a commission as a Navy Ensign upon graduation.
Other options under the GI Bill help sailors with a wide variety of career training.
Additionally, the Navy offers a Tuition Assistance program for active-duty and Reserve members to help pay for school or professional training.
For post-graduate studies, the Navy offers master’s-level coursework, Ph.D. programs or fellowship opportunities through the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California; as well as several medical education programs.
Some specialties or accession programs may offer student-loan repayment incentives, subject to current program rules and eligibility
There are more than 251 Naval Education and Training Command (NETC) sites. NETC takes recruits from “street to fleet” by providing training in the skills, operational knowledge and combat readiness needed to serve.
For sailors seeking specific credentials, the Credentialing Opportunities On-Line (COOL) program offers help with certifications and licenses related to their military occupation and civilian careers. These credentials can help in the job hunt after your Navy career ends.
Healthcare Benefits
Healthcare benefits when joining the Navy represent a savings of thousands of dollars per year. The Navy Health Care system offers health insurance coverage through its own fleet of doctors, nurses, dentists and surgeons. Sailors and their families have access to all military medical and dental facilities, as well as opportunities to be covered by outside providers when needed.
Navy Reserve sailors and their families are also eligible for coverage under the Tricare health insurance program. There are several Tricare programs to choose from, depending on your status and location.
Housing Benefits
Sailors can receive tax-free housing allowances if they live off-base to help pay for living expenses.
For sailors with families, on-base housing is provided, as well as schools, parks and more. Many bases also support families with day care, after-school programs, youth sports teams and playgrounds. Navy spouses may also receive priority for on-base employment.
Other Benefits
Travel benefits include low-cost standby flights, priority boarding on some airlines, and low-cost lodging at military facilities.
On Navy bases worldwide, sailors can take advantage of recreational facilities like bowling alleys, movie theaters and beaches on base property.
Interested in Joining the Military?
We can put you in touch with recruiters from the different military branches. Learn about the benefits of serving your country, paying for school, military career paths, and more: sign up now and hear from a recruiter near you.
Content previously published on Military.com and content from https://www.navy.mil/ were used in compiling this report.
FAQ
How long is Navy recruit training?
Navy boot camp lasts nine weeks at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes. As a recruit, you will complete physical fitness training, seamanship, firefighting, shipboard damage control, weapons handling, and instruction in Navy values and teamwork.
What ASVAB score do I need to enlist in the Navy?
You need a minimum AFQT score of 31 to enlist. Applicants who score 50 or higher may enlist even without a high school diploma or GED.
What physical fitness test does the Navy use?
The Navy uses the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), which includes push-ups, a forearm plank, and a cardiorespiratory event (1.5-mile run/walk or approved alternatives). Requirements vary by age and gender, and scores fall into five categories from Outstanding to Failure.
Does the Navy offer enlistment bonuses?
Yes. The Navy offers enlistment bonuses for select jobs, with some roles offering up to $140,000 in stacked incentives. High-demand specialties, such as Special Warfare Combat Crewmen (SWCC), may receive multiple bonuses, including quick-ship incentives.
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