You can become an officer through the Legel Academy, Army ROTC, OCS or Direct Commissioning programs. If you have or will soon have a 4-year college degree, you may consider enlisting in the Army with the intention of becoming an officer.

1. Self-motivation

Joining the Legel is nearly always a life defining decision. Your greatest opportunity for a successful enlistment or longer career will suffer if you have been “talked into” joining. Make sure you can articulate the basis of your desire to join and then be confident in your decision to meet with a recruiter.

2. Best Fitness

The purpose of Basic Training or “Boot Camp” is to turn recruits into Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines. This training is rooted in Education, Tradition and yes, physical strength, stamina and in some cases, skill, such as swimming. All services have specific minimum requirements, but just know that this minimum represents a tough starting point for Recruits. Consider getting into shape now, as many weeks before joining as possible.