Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 3/4/2009

Question
How old do you need be to join the air force? must you have ged or hs diploma? What classes would be helpful to take in high school to prepare for the airforce? Do they require a person to have a drivers license?

Answer
Jill,
Minimum age for all the Services is 17.  17-year old applicants require parental consent, over 17 no problem.
You will need proof of completion of High School requirements, so either a diploma or a GED will usually work.  No, you do not need a drivers license.  It's OK if you've never had one, but it's a no-no if you've had one and had it taken away.  You must pass a medical exam.  For each branch of the Service there are slightly different enlistment requirements.  For the Air Force you must have no more than two dependents, and pass the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Barrier (ASVAB) [an aptitude test] with a minimum score of 36, which generally is easy to do.  (Army applicants need only score 31.)  There really are no high school-level classes that would help you.

Have you thought about what career field (job) you'd like to do in the AF?
Go to the web site:  http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforce/l/blafscquick.htm
and get an idea what you'd like to do.  For example if you want to be a Dental Assistant (coded 4Y0X1) you may want to research the Internet and read-up on dental hygiene.  Maybe you want to work in Services (coded 3M0X1) where they manage bowling alleys, golf courses, gymnasiums, libraries, motels, and dining halls.  You can read-up on those areas.  Get the picture?  It helps to know what's available before you go.  Life can be really miserable if you want to be a jet engine mechanic and you end up being a cop because you let them decide for you.
Be sure you meet the height/weight requirements below.
New Air Force Weight Requirements
Height(Inches) Min.Weight(Lbs.) Max Weight(Lbs.)
58   91   131
59   94   136
60   97   141
61   100   145
62   104   150
63   107   155
64   110   160
65   114   165
66   117   170
67   121   175
68   125   180
69   128   186
70   132   191
71   136   197
72   140   202
73   144   208
74   148   214
75   152   220
76   156   225
77   160   231
78   164   237
79   168   244
80   173   250


If you're close to enlistment age (teenager) go talk to a recruiter and pick his brain.  Most of them love to talk military and if they have time will be glad to answer questions for you, regardless of your age.
Good luck, and thanks for considering the military.
Colonel H