Requirements for Enlistment

Most people between the ages of 17 and 42* qualify for the Army National Guard. However, we do have a few strict guidelines. Read on to see how you measure up.

Physical Size and Fitness
Height, weight and physical conditions all factor in. You can refer to the chart below for height and weight specifications and download the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) standards. 

Age

If you have never served in the military, you must be between the ages of 17-42* to qualify. Certain states have lower age limits. There is an exception for qualified non-prior service applicants assessing into the MOS 09L (interpreter/translators specializing in Dari, Farsi and Pashto). Contact your recruiter to see if you qualify in your state.

Education
You must meet one of these three academic conditions:

  1.  Have a high school diploma or GED
  2.  Currently be in high school, and expect to graduate
  3.  Be willing to earn your GED through our GED program

*Applicants with no prior military service must not have reached their 42nd birthday prior to shipment to Basic Combat Training. Certain states have lower age limits.

Height

Non-Prior Service
Prior Service

Minimum weight any
age for females

Maximum weight
by years of
age for females

Minimum weight any
age for males

Maximum weight
by years of
age for male
17-20 21-27 28-39 40 and over 17-20 21-27 28-39 40 and over
58"
(4'10")		 Non-Prior 91 122 124 126 127 - - - - -
Prior 91 119 121 122 124 - - - - -
59"
(4'11")
 Non-Prior 94 127 128 130 131 - - - - -
Prior 94 124 125 126 128 - - - - -
60"
(5ft)		 Non-Prior 97 132 134 135 136 97 139 141 143 146
Prior 97 128 129 131 133 97 132 136 139 141
61"
(5'1")		 Non-Prior 100 136 137 139 141 100 144 146 148 151
Prior 100 132 134 135 137 100 136 140 144 146
62"
(5'2")		 Non-Prior 104 140 141 144 145 104 148 150 153 156
Prior 104 136 138 140 142 104 141 144 148 150
63"
(5'3")		 Non-Prior 107 145 147 148 149 107 153 155 158 161
Prior 107 141 143 144 146 107 145 149 153 155
64"
(5'4")		 Non-Prior 110 149 151 153 154 110 158 160 163 166
Prior 110 145 147 149 151 110 150 154 158 160
65"
(5'5")		 Non-Prior 114 154 156 158 160 114 163 165 168 171
Prior 114 150 152 154 156 114 155 159 163 165
66"
(5'6")		 Non-Prior 117 160 160 162 165 117 168 170 173 177
Prior 117 155 156 158 161 117 160 163 168 170
67"
(5'7")		 Non-Prior 121 163 166 168 169 121 174 176 179 182
Prior 121 159 161 163 166 121 165 169 174 176
68
(5'8")		 Non-Prior 125 168 171 173 174 125 179 181 184 187
Prior 125 164 166 168 171 125 170 174 179 181
69"
(5'9")		 Non-Prior 128 173 176 178 180 128 184 186 189 193
Prior 128 169 171 173 176 128 175 179 184 186
70"
(5'10")		 Non-Prior 132 178 181 183 185 132 189 192 195 199
Prior 132 174 176 178 181 132 180 185 189 192
71"
(5'11")		 Non-Prior 136 183 186 188 191 136 194 197 201 204
Prior 136 179 181 183 186 136 185 189 194 197
72"
(6')		 Non-Prior 140 189 191 194 196 140 200 203 206 210
Prior 140 184 186 188 191 140 190 195 200 203
73"
(6'1")		 Non-Prior 144 194 196 200 202 144 205 208 212 216
Prior 144 189 191 194 197 144 195 200 205 208
74"
(6'2")		 Non-Prior 148 199 203 204 206 148 211 214 218 222
Prior 148 194 197 199 202 148 201 206 211 214
75"
(6'3")		 Non-Prior 152 205 208 210 212 152 217 220 224 228
Prior 152 200 202 204 208 152 206 212 217 220
76"
(6'4")		 Non-Prior 156 210 213 215 216 156 223 226 230 234
Prior 156 205 207 210 213 156 212 217 223 226
77"
(6'5")		 Non-Prior 160 216 219 221 223 160 229 232 236 240
Prior 160 210 213 215 219 160 218 223 229 232
78"
(6'6")		 Non-Prior 164 222 224 227 229 164 235 238 242 247
Prior 164 216 218 221 225 164 223 229 235 238
79"
(6'7")		 Non-Prior 168 227 230 234 236 168 241 244 248 253
Prior 168 221 224 227 230 168 229 235 241 244
80"
(6'8")		 Non-Prior 173 233 236 240 241 173 247 250 255 259
Prior 173 227 230 233 236 173 234 240 247 250
Height will be measured in stocking feet standing on a flat surface with the chin parallel to the floor. The body should be straight but not rigid, similar to the position of attention. The measurement will be rounded to the nearest inch with the following guidelines:
If the height fraction is less than 1/2 inch, round down.
If the height fraction is 1/2 inch or greater, round up.
Weight will be measured and recorded to the nearest pound.
All measurements will be taken in the AP'uniform..
Add 6 pounds per inch for males and 5 pounds per inch for females measuring over 80 inches tall.

Maximum Allowable Body Fat

Male Age Group

  

Female Age Group
Age 17-20 21-27 28-39 40+ 17-20 21-27 28-39 40+
Prior 20 22 24 26 30 32 34 36
Non-Prior 26 26 28 30 32 32 34 36