Requirements, top ratings, boot camp at Great Lakes, and what life in the Navy is really like: your complete enlistment guide for 2026.
Enlistment Age: 17–41
Min AFQT Score: 31
Contract Length: 4–6 years active
Boot Camp: 10 weeks, Great Lakes IL (RTC)
Active Duty Size: ~340,000
What makes the Navy unique, and who it's best for.
The Navy offers the chance to see the world. Deployments take sailors to every ocean: the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, and beyond. You'll visit ports in countries most people only read about, all while serving your country and building skills that last a lifetime.
The Navy provides exceptional technical training. From nuclear power and propulsion to cybersecurity and aviation, sailors gain hands-on experience that translates directly to civilian careers. The nuclear program is the highest-paid enlisted track in the military, with bonuses and pay that reflect the elite training required.
Life in the Navy means life on ships and submarines: close quarters, teamwork, and a culture built on the motto "Forged by the Sea." Post-service career prospects are excellent, especially for those in technical ratings. The Navy is best for those who want travel, strong technical skills, and don't mind months at sea. If you thrive on adventure and hands-on learning, the Navy may be your path.
What you need to qualify for enlistment.
Age: 17–41. Applicants who are 17 need parental consent to enlist.
Citizenship: U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (green card holder).
Education: High school diploma preferred. GED holders may qualify with 15 college credits and face additional requirements in some cases.
ASVAB: Minimum AFQT score of 31. Higher scores unlock more rating options. The nuclear program requires significantly higher ASVAB line scores. Aim for 50+ to maximize your choices at MEPS.
Medical: Pass the physical and mental health screening at MEPS. Certain conditions require waivers; discuss your medical history with your recruiter.
Legal: No felony convictions. Some misdemeanors may be waivable. Be honest on your paperwork.
Height/Weight: Meet Navy body composition standards. Your recruiter can provide the exact charts for your age and gender.
Waivers are available for many disqualifying factors: medical, moral, and administrative. If you're unsure, talk to a recruiter before assuming you're ineligible. Learn more in our enlistment process guide.
Popular rating options: check our job selection guide for full strategy.
Medical care and support: often attached to Marine units. One of the most respected ratings in the Navy. Strong civilian transfer value.
Networking, cybersecurity, and IT support. Maintain communications systems at sea and ashore. Excellent post-service career prospects.
Elite nuclear program: highest-paid enlisted sailors. Operate and maintain nuclear reactor electronics on submarines and carriers.
Flight deck operations: launch and recover aircraft from carriers. High tempo, physically demanding, and central to naval aviation.
Languages and intelligence. Requires language aptitude exam. Strong ASVAB scores. Signals intelligence and translation work.
Engineering and propulsion systems. Maintain and operate shipboard machinery. Nuclear variants (MM-Nuc) offer top pay and training.
10 weeks at Recruit Training Command (RTC), Great Lakes, Illinois.
Navy boot camp is 10 weeks at Great Lakes, Illinois, the Navy's only Recruit Training Command (RTC). Every enlisted sailor passes through here before heading to rating-specific "A School" and the fleet.
Swimming: All recruits must pass a swim test. If you're not a strong swimmer, practice before you ship. It's non-negotiable for graduation.
Battle Stations: The final 12-hour capstone exercise tests everything you've learned. Teams work through simulated shipboard emergencies: firefighting, damage control, and teamwork under pressure. Passing Battle Stations is your ticket to graduation.
Division organization: You'll train in divisions of around 80 recruits. You'll eat, sleep, drill, and study together. Division cohesion is everything. Support your shipmates and they'll support you.
Expect intense physical training, classroom instruction on Navy history and customs, drill and ceremony, and firefighting fundamentals. Week by week, you'll build toward Battle Stations and graduation. For more details on all branches, see our boot camp guide.
Practical advice from those who've been there.
Practice swimming before shipping. The swim test is mandatory. Don't let it be your first time in the water. Tread water, float, and swim laps. Comfort in the pool translates to confidence at RTC.
Learn Navy ranks and terminology. Know your E-1 through E-9, officer ranks, and basic Navy terms (deck, bulkhead, head, etc.). You'll use them from day one.
Prepare for close quarters living. You'll share berthing with dozens of recruits. Learn to stay organized, respect others' space, and work as a team. It's part of Navy culture.
Choose your rate carefully. Your rate defines your career. It's your job for the life of your contract. Research ratings, understand line score requirements, and never ship without a guaranteed rate in writing. See our job selection guide for strategy.
Stay physically active during DEP. The longer you wait before shipping, the more you can build endurance and strength. Run, do push-ups and sit-ups, swim. Boot camp is easier when you arrive fit.
Yes, you must pass a swim test in boot camp. All Navy recruits are required to demonstrate basic swimming competency before graduating from Recruit Training Command.
Typically 6-9 months at sea. Deployment length varies by platform (carrier, destroyer, submarine) and mission, but sailors can expect to spend significant time underway during a standard deployment.
The Navy Nuclear Propulsion Program is an elite technical program for operating nuclear reactors on submarines and aircraft carriers. It requires high ASVAB scores, offers the best pay and bonuses among enlisted sailors, and provides exceptional civilian career prospects in nuclear power.
You can request specific duty stations, but needs of the Navy come first. Career counselors consider preferences when possible, but assignments are driven by service requirements and availability.
Your ASVAB score determines which ratings you qualify for. Take a free practice test and prepare for MEPS.