What disqualifies you from being in the military?
Mia Moss
Published Jan 08, 2026
To enlist, you must be qualified under current federal laws and regulations or have an appropriate waiver. There are age, citizenship, physical, education, height/weight, criminal record, medical, and drug history standards that can exclude you from joining the military.
What makes you unfit for military service?
To be found unfit for duty, you: must have a medical condition that disqualifies you from fitness for service, and. cannot reasonably be expected to perform the duties of your rank and military career due to this medical condition.Can you be disqualified from the army?
Some applicants might receive a “temporary disqualification,” but this means that they need further documentation or testing before a Military Entrance Processing Station physician can either clear or permanently disqualify them.What disqualifies from basic training?
Felony convictions and violent sexual offenses disqualify you from joining the Army, but misdemeanors might not, depending on the nature and frequency of the offense and how much time has passed since your conviction. All visible tattoos must be inoffensive.What tattoos disqualify you from the Army?
Army Tattoo PolicyIt prohibits any tattoos on the head, face, neck, wrists, hands, or above the t-shirt collar. Essentially, any visible body tattoos are prohibited. The only exception is one ring tattoo per hand where a regular ring would lie.