The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) and Enlistment Club recently formed for students interested in pursuing a career in the U.S. military.

Advised by English teacher and military veteran Mr. Dee, the club meets afterschool on Wednesdays in Rm. 1012 and is geared toward both students who are 100 percent committed to the military and those who are thinking about enlisting. 

The ASVAB exam is a multiple-choice exam used to determine the qualifications of people enlisting in the United States Armed Forces. According to Prep Weeks, it is not a difficult test but may be challenging for those who struggle with math or reading comprehension. 

More than 14,000 schools nationwide administer the ASVAB. At PA, the ASVAB test is offered  in November. 

Before signing up for the exam, interested students must research and choose a military branch to pursue, meet with a recruiter, then visit the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). 

Currently a combat medic in the Army Reserves, Mr. Dee said that he tries not to show bias toward a specific branch of the military. “I don’t try to promote just that,” he said. “I just try to get them to research each branch and ask them the critical questions that an English teacher would ask.” 

After taking the ASVAB, recruits are still not obligated to enlist.

“Whatever you score on the ASVAB, even afterwards, if you still haven’t signed the contract yet, you can still say, ‘I’m going to drop this. I don’t want to join,’”said Mr. Dee. “There are no hard feelings on the recruiter’s part or our part. It’s just good that they have done the research and looked into it.””