If you have never served in the military and wish to join the Air Force Reserve, you must:

• Be 17 to 34 years old.
• Be in good health.
• Be of strong character.

Check with a Recruiter for specific details. Call 800-257-1212 or chat online.

Another important pre-requisite is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), a comprehensive series of academic and psychological tests.

A timed multi-aptitude test, the ASVAB is administered at over 14,000 schools and Military Entrance Processing Stations (MEPS) nationwide, and is developed and maintained by the Department of Defense.

Your scores in four critical areas - Arithmetic Reasoning, Word Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension and Mathematics Knowledge - count towards your Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score. Your AFQT score, in turn, determines whether you're qualified to enlist in the U.S. military.

Your scores in the other areas of the ASVAB will determine how qualified you are for certain military occupational specialties and Enlistment Bonuses. A high score will improve your chances of getting the specialty/job and signing bonus you want.

Various Internet sites have sample ASVAB questions if you wish to see what these tests are like. Try a sample test here!

Basic Training is an eight and a half week course for new Reservists that combines intensive physical conditioning with a crash course in military culture. It is conducted at Lackland Air Force Base, Joint Base San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.

You must complete Basic Training if you have never served in the military. To do so, you'll be required to pass a number of physical fitness tests. For that reason, it's a good idea to prepare for Basic Training by exercising three to five times a week for at least six weeks in advance of your session.

When you join the Air Force Reserve, you are entitled to a wide range of benefits - similar to benefits you would receive if you were on Active Duty.

• Do the extraordinary. You will go to places and do things that are just not possible as a civilian. You will meet people and make friendships that only exist in the military.
• Get an education. the Air Force Reserve constantly stresses education, and encourages Reservists to continue to learn. To facilitate that, the Reserve offers a non-contributory GI Bill, and another program that pays as much as 100% Tuition Assistance, free credits at the Community College of the Air Force, and specialized technical training that leads to certifications and licenses. There can also be bonuses and incentives for those going into critically needed areas.
• Earn a second pay check. The Air Force Reserve offers good part-time jobs with great benefits and competitive pay. If you're a full-time student, you will have the time to study while you serve in the Reserve. If you have a job, you will enjoy the extra income earned as a member of the Reserve.
• Save through the Commissary and BX Privileges. Reservists are eligible to use military bases which offer tax free department store shopping and supermarket shopping at great savings, and there is the opportunity to rent recreational equipment at discounted rates.
• Low-cost health insurance. The Air Force Reserve is offering inexpensive health care insurance for the Reservist and members of his or her immediate family. This can be a significant cost savings through TRICARE, a program which is offered to those on Active Duty as well.
• Plan for the future. The military offers excellent retirement benefits, inexpensive life insurance, and a reserve health care plan. These benefits make it very easy to build security.
• Don't move. When you join the Air Force Reserve, you do not have to relocate. You can continue to live at home and still serve. However, you can join the Reserve in the city of your choice. It's your decision.

Talk to an Air Force Reserve Recruiter about the latest benefits details.