Every year, thousands of people consider serving in the military. You can make the military a very rewarding growth experience if you prepare yourself before joining.

1. Self-motivation

Joining the Military 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.