Joining the U.S. Marines isn’t something that people can decide to do on a whim. Instead, there’s a strict application process. Before you decide to join, you need to know if you meet the requirements to join the Marines.

1. Requirements To
Join The Marines:
Do You Have What
It Takes To Be A
Marine?
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http://www.usmilitary.com/

2. Joining The U.S.
Marines
• Joining the U.S. Marines isn’t
something that people can
decide to do on a whim.
• Instead, there’s a strict
application process.
• Before you decide to join,
you need to know if you
meet the requirements to
join the Marines.

3. What’s Not
REquired?
• Although many people think that all U.S. Marines are
American citizens, citizenship is not a requirement.
• Instead, it’s possible to join the Marines with a
permanent resident alien card (also called a green
card).
• Non-citizens may be unable to work in certain
career fields, but could cross train if they do become
a citizen.

4. Requirements To
Join The Marines:
Get an Education
• An education is a must in the U.S. Marine Corps.
• If you haven’t completed your high school diploma,
it’s important to stay in school until you have it.
• If you have a GED, it’s possible to join the Marines,
however you’ll need a special waiver.
• Obtaining at least 15 college credit hours will help
ensure that you’ll be treated as any other recruit.

5. Requirements To
Join The Marines:
Get an Education
• If you want to become an officer in
the Marine Corps, you’ll need a
four year degree from a college or
university.
• The Marine Corps will accept applicants from a
variety of majors.
• However, the school must be an accredited one.

6. Requirements To
Join The Marines:
Stay Out Of Trouble
• Minor offenses, such as traffic offenses or
misdemeanor offenses won’t keep you from joining
the U.S. Marines.
• Potential Marines with multiple offenses may need a
waiver, however.
• Past drug use may prohibit someone from joining the
U.S. Marines, as will current problems related to
drug or alcohol abuse.

7. Requirements to
Join The Marines:
Age Limits
• The best time to become a Marine is while you’re
young.
• Currently, potential Marines need be between 17
and 29.
• Although 17 year olds can enlist, they do need a
parent’s permission if they enlist before their 18th
birthday.

8. Requirements To
Join The Marines:
Get fit
• Marines are expected to perform grueling physical
tasks, both in boot camp and in their regular jobs.
This means they need to be physically fit.
• Males need to be between 58 and 78 inches tall with
no more than 18% body fat.
• Females need to be between 58 and 72 inches tall
with no more than 26% body fat.

9. Requirements To
Join The Marines:
Get fit
• Potential Marines also need to be able to pass a
standard physical and be in good physical condition.
• Perfect vision is not required, but vision must be
correctable through glasses, contacts or even laser
vision surgery.
• Even color blindness won’t prohibit someone from
joining the U.S. Marines, however career choices may
be limited.

10. Joining The U.S.
Marines
• These are just a few of the requirements to join the
Marines.
• If you’re worried that something in your past will
prohibit you from joining the U.S. Marines, it’s
important to talk to a recruiter.
• He or she can look at your specific situation and
help you determine what you need to do to meet
your goal of becoming a U.S. Marine.

11. About
USMILITARY.com
• USMilitary.com is an online resource that’s available
to help anyone who’s searching for a job in the
military.
• The website has an extensive library of information,
including information on the Army, the Air Force, the
Coast Guard, the Navy and the Marine Corps.
• To receive a free 2012 guide to the G.I. Bill, or to
learn more about the U.S. Military please visit http://
www.usmilitary.com/.