scope:

APPLICABILITY AND SCOPE

This Instruction applies to:

The Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands, the Office of the Inspector General of the Department of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities, and all other organizational entities in the Department of Defense (hereafter referred to as the "DoD Components"). The term "Military Services," as used herein, refers to the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard (by agreement with the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security when it is not operating as a Service in the Navy), and their Reserve components.

Applicants for initial enlistment into the regular Armed Forces and the Reserve components.

Applicants for appointment as commissioned or warrant officers in the Active and Reserve components.

Applicants for reenlistment following release from active duty into subsequent Active or Reserve components (including the Army National Guard of the United States and the Air National Guard of the United States) after a period of more than 6 months has elapsed since discharge.

Applicants for the scholarship or advanced course Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC), and all other Armed Forces special officer personnel procurement programs, including the Military Service Academies.

All individuals being inducted into the Armed Forces.

REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE

This Instruction:

Reissues Reference (a) as a DoD Instruction according to the guidance in Reference (b).

Updates policies and responsibilities for basic entrance qualification standards for enlistment, appointment, and induction into the Armed Forces in accordance with Reference (c) and delegates the authority to specify certain standards to the Secretaries of the Military Departments.

Establishes the age, citizenship, education, aptitude, physical fitness, dependency status, moral character, and other disqualifying conditions that are causes for rejection from military service. Other standards may be prescribed in the event of mobilization or national emergency.

Sets standards designed to ensure that individuals under consideration for enlistment, appointment, and/or induction are able to perform military duties successfully, and to select those who are the most trainable and adaptable to Military Service life.