What will disqualify you from the military?

Asked by: Marge Jacobs  |  Last update: May 16, 2026
Score: 4.8/5 (44 votes)

You can be disqualified from the military for medical issues (like severe asthma, uncontrolled mental health conditions, serious vision/hearing loss), criminal history (felonies, multiple DUIs, drug offenses), lack of citizenship/residency, low ASVAB scores, certain tattoos, or failing physical fitness/weight standards, though many issues might be overcome with a waiver depending on the specific circumstances and military needs.

What are the most common disqualifiers for the military?

Psychiatric and Personality Disorders

  • Any disorder or history of disorders with psychotic features.
  • History of impulse control and conduct disorders.
  • History of depression requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.
  • History of anxiety requiring medication, outpatient treatment or hospitalization.

What disqualifies you from the military background check?

Military background check disqualifiers often involve serious criminal offenses (especially violent or drug-related felonies), ongoing illegal drug/alcohol abuse, significant financial irresponsibility, mental health issues like certain disorders, foreign influence/ties, past security violations (like revoked clearances), dishonesty, or lack of U.S. citizenship/allegiance, with some minor offenses potentially waived depending on the branch and circumstances. The evaluation is a "whole person" review, weighing negative factors against positive ones like honesty and self-correction. 

Who is not allowed to join the military?

Military disqualifications stem from medical, moral (criminal record), and administrative issues, including conditions like severe asthma, certain mental health disorders, major felony convictions (especially violent or drug-related), substance abuse, and failure to meet height/weight standards, though many medical and some criminal issues may be waived with proper documentation and approval, while others, like terrorism or specific severe felonies, are generally permanent bars. 

What are the 5 military discharges?

The U.S. military has six official types of discharge characterizations, but often grouped into five main categories for understanding their impact: Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable (DD), with an additional Entry-Level Separation (ELS). These types range from the highest (Honorable) to the most severe (Dishonorable), significantly affecting a veteran's eligibility for benefits, future employment, and rights. 

What REALLY Disqualifies You from Joining the Military

16 related questions found

What's the worst discharge in the military?

Dishonorable discharge (DD)

A dishonorable discharge, colloquially referred to as a "duck dinner", is the most serious type of discharge in the US military.

Can you quit the military?

You have to sign a contract, so your position is a contractual one and you have to honor that document. This means that you have to serve the term that you agreed to serve, at which point you can decide if you want to stop or sign up for another term. There are ways that you can quit, such as asking for a discharge.

What permanently disqualifies you from the military?

Being permanently disqualified from military service means you have a condition (medical, legal, or behavioral) that prevents you from meeting standards, but it's often a MEPS term meaning you need a waiver, not necessarily an absolute "never," as other branches or reserves might approve it with documentation proving you're fine now, though serious felonies, some mental health issues, or major physical limitations usually lead to permanent ineligibility. Common disqualifiers include untreated asthma after childhood, severe mental health history, certain legal issues (like recent felonies or sexual offenses), and significant physical limitations from injuries or chronic conditions.
 

Who will the Army not accept?

You generally cannot join the Army if you are not a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, have significant medical issues (like certain mental health disorders, severe allergies, or chronic illnesses), have a serious criminal history (felonies, drug offenses), are overweight, lack a high school diploma, or score too low on the ASVAB, though many of these disqualifiers can sometimes be overcome with a waiver, depending on circumstances and military needs, notes GoArmy.com, Military.com, and Today's Military. 

Can a Canadian join the U.S. military?

U.S. citizens and some non-citizens can join the military. If you are not a U.S. citizen, you must: Have a U.S. Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) Speak, read, and write English fluently.

What is a red flag on a background check?

Red flags on a background check are discrepancies or concerning findings like criminal records (especially violent, financial, or drug-related), significant inconsistencies in employment/education history, poor credit history (for finance roles), negative references, failed drug tests, or unprofessional social media activity, all raising concerns about a candidate's integrity, judgment, or suitability for a role.
 

Can debt disqualify you from the military?

Having debt does not automatically disqualify you from military service. Many recruits enter the military with existing loans or financial obligations. What matters most is whether the debt raises concerns about responsibility, stability, or security risks.

Who cannot be drafted?

Exemptions from the U.S. draft (Selective Service) generally include females, men on active military duty, those in service academies, certain non-immigrant visa holders, and men with severe, continuous physical or mental disabilities, though registration requirements vary, with categories like medical professionals or sole surviving sons having specific rules or deferments available. Deferments for factors like dependency (fathers, sole supporters) or religious conscientious objection have existed historically but are subject to change by Congress, with current exemptions focusing on non-service and severe inability.
 

Is anxiety a military disqualifier?

A history of depressive or anxiety symptoms may be considered for waiver if treatment has been completed and a period of convincing stability demonstrated without need for ongoing medication or psychotherapy.

What is 3 clicks in military terms?

In military terms, "3 clicks" (often spelled "klicks") means 3 kilometers, a unit of distance used for brevity and standardization, equating to roughly 1.86 miles (3 kilometers x 0.62 miles/km). It's a phonetic shortening of "kilometer," widely used in radio communication for speed, originating from interactions with metric-using forces and NATO standardization. 

Do they give you $10,000 if you join the Army?

Yes, the U.S. Army offers enlistment bonuses, including up to $10,000 or more, but it's not guaranteed for everyone; these funds are for specific, in-demand jobs, certain enlistment terms (like quick shipping or 2-year options), or for filling critical skills, with total incentives potentially reaching $50,000 or more when combined with other benefits. Eligibility depends heavily on your chosen Military Occupational Specialty (MOS), your contract length, and meeting specific criteria, like joining quickly for certain roles, notes the official Army benefits website. 

Who cannot join the Army?

You generally cannot join the Army if you are not a U.S. citizen/permanent resident, have significant medical issues (like certain mental health disorders, severe allergies, or chronic illnesses), have a serious criminal history (felonies, drug offenses), are overweight, lack a high school diploma, or score too low on the ASVAB, though many of these disqualifiers can sometimes be overcome with a waiver, depending on circumstances and military needs, notes GoArmy.com, Military.com, and Today's Military. 

What is the rule 13 in the Army?

13. Authorities empowered to authorize discharge. (1) Each of the authorities specified in column 3 of the Table below shall be the competent authority to discharge service person subject to the Act specified in column 1 thereof on the grounds specified in column 2.

What are the 5 types of military discharges?

The U.S. military has six official types of discharge characterizations, but often grouped into five main categories for understanding their impact: Honorable, General (Under Honorable Conditions), Other Than Honorable (OTH), Bad Conduct (BCD), and Dishonorable (DD), with an additional Entry-Level Separation (ELS). These types range from the highest (Honorable) to the most severe (Dishonorable), significantly affecting a veteran's eligibility for benefits, future employment, and rights. 

What makes you unfit for military service?

Disqualifying conditions for military service are broad, covering significant medical issues (like heart disease, severe allergies, uncontrolled diabetes, certain mental health disorders such as bipolar or schizophrenia, or history of major surgeries/injuries), criminal history (especially felonies, drug offenses, or domestic violence), and failure to meet basic physical/moral standards, but many issues, particularly medical ones, can be waived depending on severity and branch policy, with waivers being a common pathway for otherwise qualified candidates. 

What crimes stop you from joining the military?

Criminal Charges That Disqualify You from the Military

  • Felony Offenses. ...
  • Domestic Violence Convictions. ...
  • Drug-Related Offenses. ...
  • Sexual Offenses and Misconduct. ...
  • Crimes Against Children or Vulnerable Individuals. ...
  • Multiple or Repeat Offenses. ...
  • Dishonorable or Bad Conduct Discharge (Prior Service Members) ...
  • Fraudulent Enlistment.

What is the 10-10-10 rule in the military?

In addition, for orders dividing retired pay as property to be enforced under the USFSPA, a member and former spouse must have been married to each other for 10 years or more during which the member performed at least 10 years of military service creditable towards retirement eligibility (the 10/10 rule).

Can you quit the military in Canada?

To obtain voluntary release before the expiry of your obligatory service period, you must submit a written request through your chain of command. This request will include the reasons that justify your release. While your request is under consideration, you may raise any questions with your chain of command.

What is the penalty for quitting the military?

Desertion is still considered an extremely serious offense under modern military codes. It remains punishable by harsh penalties such as imprisonment, dishonorable discharge, and forfeiture of pay.