Which military branch gives the most waivers?

Asked by: Ms. Kaelyn Barrows DVM  |  Last update: April 14, 2025
Score: 4.5/5 (48 votes)

Different branches have different personnel needs and may approve of your waiver. In general, the Army has the reputation of approving the most moral waivers, while the Air Force and Coast Guard approve the fewest. The Navy and the Marines fall somewhere in the middle. However, this is not always the case.

What military branch is most lenient?

That being said, the Army is generally considered to have the most lenient standards among the branches. The Army offers more jobs—over 150 specialties—and therefore has a wide range of ASVAB scores they'll accept. This isn't to say that entry is easy—there are still physical, and medical standards to meet.

What military branch gets deployed the most?

U.S. Army: Soldiers in the Army have historically experienced the most deployments due to the Army's size and wide range of capabilities. They provide support in peacekeeping, humanitarian efforts, and combat operations. 2. U.S. Marine Corps: The Marines often deploy in specialized units for combat operations.

How common are waivers in the military?

According to a 2022 Accession Medical Standards Analysis and Research Activity report, 1.35 million applicants received a physical at MEPS from 2016-2020. Of that population, 13-16% were medically disqualified, yet only 47-66% of disqualified applicants applied for a medical waiver.

What branch is the easiest to get a medical waiver?

The policies regarding medical waivers can vary between the branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, and Coast Guard), and within them too. Typically, the Air Force is often perceived to be more accommodating, particularly if they have a high enlistment goal.

Joining the Military with Waivers

18 related questions found

What branch approves most waivers?

Different branches have different personnel needs and may approve of your waiver. In general, the Army has the reputation of approving the most moral waivers, while the Air Force and Coast Guard approve the fewest. The Navy and the Marines fall somewhere in the middle. However, this is not always the case.

What branch is the toughest to get into?

Comparing the difficulty of entering various military branches can be quite complex as each has its own distinctive set of requirements and standards. However, in terms of sheer selectiveness and competitive standards, the U.S. Air Force often ranks as the hardest branch to get into.

What Cannot be waived in military?

(See paragraph (b)(8)(iii) of § 66.6 of this part; waivers for these offenses are not authorized.) Riot. Robbery (including armed). Sale, distribution, or trafficking of cannabis (marijuana) or any other controlled substance (including intent).

Which military branch is easiest to join?

Joining the military can certainly be a fulfilling and honorable path. Based on general consensus, the U.S. Army is often regarded as the military branch that could be the "easiest" to join due to its size and the number of enlistees it takes in each year.

What disqualifies you from MEPS?

What can disqualify you at MEPS? Any disqualifications that appear during your MEPS physical exam or interview may prevent you from joining the Army. These disqualifications can include illegal drug use, alcohol dependence, not meeting height and weight requirements, having certain contagious diseases, among others.

Which military branch is least likely to deploy?

The frequency of deployment can vary quite a bit depending on the specific career field and the current global situation, but generally speaking, the U.S. Air Force and the U.S. Coast Guard typically have lower rates of deployment compared to other branches.

What branch goes to war first?

The Marine Corps is often first on the ground in combat situations.

What is the most useful branch in the military?

Most Suitable US Military Branch
  • The Army is the most significant of all the military branches and offers the broadest job selection. ...
  • The Navy emphasizes seaborne operations. ...
  • The Air Force is known for its focus on technology, aviation, and intelligence functions.

What is the most feared branch of the military?

That said, people often consider the Marine Corps to be one of the most dangerous branches, primarily because it's typically at the front lines during combat operations. Marines often engage closely in ground combat, which can present heightened risks. Similarly, the Army can also be considered dangerous.

How long do military waivers take?

The Waiver Authorities are all separate and independent entities from DoDMERB. Their process to review a case for a final waiver decision can take from weeks to months. The Waiver Authority might request additional medical records, statements, or testing, which you will send to DoDMERB for inclusion in your record.

Which is the safest military branch to join?

The Coast Guard tends to be safer statistically in terms of injuries and fatalities. Similarly, the Air Force is known to be a safer branch where service members are often involved in non-combat activities.

Which military branch pays the most?

There is no branch that pays more. Base pay at a given grade and time of service is the same across the services. However, total pay and compensation can differ a lot due to allowances and special pays. But those are based on location and duties, not branch-of-service.

Which boot camp is the hardest?

The Marine Corps' boot camp often gets discussed as the most physically and mentally challenging. It's noted for its Crucible event, a 54-hour team evolution culminating in an emotional ceremony in which recruits become Marines.

Which military branch promotes the fastest?

The Army is generally the branch of the military that promotes the fastest.

What military branch approves the most waivers?

Overall Medical Waiver Consideration and Approval Metrics

Overall, waiver approval rates ranged from 61% (Air Force) to 73% (Marine Corps).

What are the most common disqualifiers for the military?

This list is not comprehensive but is intended to provide some guidance to applicants regarding common disqualifying issues.
  • Vision Disqualification. ...
  • Dental Disqualification. ...
  • Ears and Hearing Disqualification. ...
  • Allergic Conditions Disqualification. ...
  • Skin Disqualification. ...
  • Psychiatric Disorders.

What percent of military waivers are approved?

Among all prospective enlisted applicants, the military services approved 77 percent of 54,206 medical waiver requests received from fiscal 2021 through 2022, according to a 2023 Department of Defense Inspector General report.

Which branch has highest demand?

What Are the Fastest-growing Engineering Fields?
  • Mechanical Engineering.
  • Computer Science Engineering.
  • Electronics and Computer Engineering.
  • Aerospace Engineering.
  • Civil Engineering.
  • Chemical Engineering.

What military branch is least likely to go to war?

While any branch of the military might involve some risk given the nature of their mission, the U.S. Air Force or the U.S. Coast Guard generally have fewer roles that are directly engaged in combat compared to the U.S. Army or the U.S. Marines.