As a branch of the American military tasked to defend our nation’s freedom, Sailors must be able to pull their own weight. The Navy’s physical requirements are measured through the Navy Physical Readiness Test (PRT), which consists of pushups, situps and running. Your overall score must amount to 60 points.

Requirements are adjusted based on age and gender. For example, as a minimum requirement to pass the PRT at boot camp, you must complete: 

MEN 17-19

• 50 situps in 2 minutes
• 42 pushups in 2 minutes
• 1.5 mile run in 12:30

WOMEN 17-19

• 50 situps in 2 minutes
• 19 pushups in 2 minutes
• 1.5 mile run in 15:30

For more detailed information, contact a recruiter. Sailors who receive a “Satisfactory” grade in their PRT may also receive enlistment bonus compensation. 

All Sailors must meet the weight requirements based on their corresponding height. If the requirement is not met, an abdominal circumference and body mass index (BMI) measurement will be taken. Please see the chart for your information. 

Whether you’re a skilled swimmer or have never swum a stroke, you’re welcome in the Navy. Part of Navy boot camp is the swim test. Many Sailors join the Navy without knowing how to swim, but instructors at boot camp are trained to teach you everything you’ll need to know before the test. The test consists of three events: a jump into a pool, a 50-yard swim and a prone float for five minutes.

The Navy has the most accepting tattoo policy of any military branch. In fact, Sailors have a long history of getting tattoos to symbolize milestones within their Navy careers.

• Sailors can have full-sleeve tattoos on arms and legs.
• Sailors are permitted to have a single tattoo on their neck no larger than 1 inch.
• Tattoos located on the ears, behind the ears, on the neck (below the jawline) viewable from the front as well as those on the back of the neck may be waived by Commander, Navy Recruiting Command, on a case-by-case basis.
• No tattoos are permitted on the head, face or scalp.
• Offensive, racist, extremist and sexist tattoos are not allowed.

Grooming standards in the Navy exist to promote neatness, cleanliness and safety. 

Men are expected to keep their hair short and neat. 

A religious accommodation request can be submitted for personnel to wear a beard.

There is no requirement for women to cut their hair short. Short hair is permitted to be worn down if it falls above the collarbone. Long hair is expected to be pulled back in a bun, ponytail, braids or corn rows.

Sailors rotate between sea and shore duty. You may spend three years assigned to a ship’s command and then rotate to serve three more years at a shore command. You will not be at sea during your entire Navy career. During your sea tour, you may live off-base nearby, but must be available to travel with the ship for deployments or training.

A typical sea deployment on a Navy ship can last anywhere from six to nine months. Ships typically deploy once every 18-24 months. In preparation for deployment, Sailors should be prepared to go to sea for 10 to 14 days each month for training.

Enlisted positions typically require an initial service commitment of four years, but positions involving longer-term training may involve five- or six-year obligations.

Officer positions typically require an initial service commitment of three to five years, but positions involving longer-term training may involve longer service obligations.

Unpaid loans, overdue bills or a history of bad credit could impact your ability to serve in the military because you must be eligible for security clearance. In certain cases, you must prove you can meet your current financial obligations before joining.

Congratulations, and here is the deal: If there are no children in the household, spouses are eligible to enlist. The Navy Reserve also offers opportunities for personnel married to an Active Duty Servicemember.

Yes, you can. However, due to the risks associated with serving in the military, the Navy requires a waiver for any single-parent applicant.