Which Branch of the Military Would You Join Based on Your Particular Set of Skills?

By: Teresa McGlothlin
Estimated Completion Time
5 min
Which Branch of the Military Would You Join Based on Your Particular Set of Skills?
Image: Coneyl Jay/DigitalVision/Getty Images

About This Quiz

Protecting and serving your country is an honorable thing to do! No matter which branch you choose, you'll make a difference in your life and to the world. Before you commit to such a huge responsibility, it's a good idea to make sure you are making the right choice. You might be thinking of the Marines, but are you more qualified for the Air Force?

Every branch of the military has its own set of requirements and assessments. The Navy needs a different skill set than the Army, but where do your skills fit in? Throughout this quiz, your abilities will be put to the test. You'll be asked to think on your feet, describe your job experiences and 'fess up to your physical condition. When you cross the finish line, your scores will be compared to the needs each military branch likes to see. 

Will you be a candidate for the uniform you've always dreamed of wearing, or will your skills point you in a new direction? After you lay out your skills and your qualifications, it will be easy to place in you the branch where you would succeed. Let's go a little deeper than the ASVAB and find out where you really belong! 


01_bilingual Being bilingual is a great military skill. Can you speak more than one language?
I know a few words in another language.
I know more than two!
I am bilingual.
I only speak one, but I'm willing to learn.

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02_ASVAB Which part of the ASVAB would be easiest for you to ace?
Electronics information
Word knowledge
General science
Mechanical comprehension

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03_office gossip Are you diplomatic enough to avoid getting involved in office gossip?
It's too much fun to ignore.
I hear, speak or see no evil.
I smile and nod a lot.
I've been known to stir the pot.

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04_CPR Can you reach into your wallet and pull out your CPR certification card?
I know CPR, but I'm not certified.
Yes!
I think it's expired.
I've never tried to get one.

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Q17 Hobby How often do you head to the range to sharpen your marksmanship skills?
At least once a week
I've never learned to shoot.
Once a month or so
A couple of times a year

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06_computer has been updating Your computer has been updating for over 24 hours. Do you panic?
It takes time.
It's time to call tech support.
It just needs to be unplugged and plugged back in again.
I'll panic when it starts smoking.

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07_rucksack Could you run at least 12 minutes with a 35-pound rucksack on your back?
I could go a lot longer.
That's a lot of weight. It might take me longer than that.
I'm willing to try it.
I think I'll pass on that challenge.

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Timer How long would it take you to disassemble and reassemble an M4?
I can do it in under 10 minutes.
I need at least five minutes.
I'm trying to break the two-minute mark.
If I have a manual, I can do it in 15 minutes.

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09_mechanically inclined Are you mechanically inclined to change the spark plugs in your Jeep?
I pay the pros to do that.
I can do it, but it's a giant pain.
No problem!
I've never tried it, and I don't think I want to.

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10_security clearance Is there anything in your background that might stop you from getting security clearance?
Of course not!
I think that's been removed.
I can't think of anything.
There was that one time ...

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11_deliver a speech If you have to deliver a speech to your platoon, could you handle it?
It would make me a little nervous.
I would bribe someone else to do it.
I'll do what my duties need me to do.
I enjoy public speaking.

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12_swimming Could you swim well enough to retrieve a buoy 500 feet from shore?
Done!
If the water is rough, I'm not going out there.
That shouldn't be a problem.
I can do it with the right diving gear.

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13_lecture How would you remember everything you're told in a meeting or a lecture?
I would take notes.
I wouldn't remember everything.
Hopefully, they'll hand out a summary.
I'll record it on my phone.

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14_manage_time Are you good at managing your time or do you procrastinate?
I'll tell you later.
I stick to my agenda.
I don't like to be rushed.
I'm a task master.

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15_creativity or logic Do you tend to use creativity or logic to solve tough problems?
Logic never fails.
Sometimes, you have to use both.
I've been known to improvise.
I'll do whatever the situation needs.

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16_interpersonal skills What would your current boss have to say about your interpersonal skills?
My boss would say I'm pleasant and warm.
Please don't ask my boss about that.
I am the boss.
I'm sure you would hear that I'm polite and hardworking.

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17_type You'll need to type at least 35 words per minute to write military reports. Can you do that?
I can do that on my phone.
I type faster than that.
I type with two fingers.
I think I can manage it.

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18_compass You're lost on the hiking trail. How do you find your way back?
I'll use the GPS on my phone.
I'll yell until someone hears me.
Retracing my steps always works.
I'll build a signal fire.

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19_flat_tire What is the first thing you would do if you experienced a flat tire in rush-hour traffic?
Turn on my hazard lights
Curse
Pull off to the side of the road
Break out the jack

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20_motivation Your team is running low on motivation. What do you do to help?
I'll bribe them with food.
A pep talk should do the trick.
I'll threaten them with longer hours.
It's a good chance to talk about our feelings.

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21_make_bed Do you have enough self-discipline to make your bed every morning?
No one is that disciplined.
I make it every single day.
I make it when I have time.
Someone else does that for me.

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22_stress When you're under extreme stress, do you always manage to stay calm?
I'm always level headed.
I lose my cool from time to time.
I focus on doing my job.
I show my stress, but I power through it.

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23_resume Which one of these skills would you put at the top of your resumé?
Positive attitude
Self-motivated
Easily adaptable
Ability to accept criticism

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24_degree Do you hold a degree, or are you planning to attend college?
I have a couple of years of school on my resumé.
I would love to go to college.
I'm hoping to learn a good trade.
I have a college degree.

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25_giving orders When you're in a position of leadership, what are you like?
Bossy
Kind
Fair
Strict

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26_bunker Would you say that you're handy enough to build your own bunker?
I've built a treehouse. It can't be that different.
I can fix a car, but that's out of my league.
I can build nearly anything.
No, but I could build my own shed.

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27_snow_foxhole If you were stuck in a snowstorm, what would you use to build a shelter?
I would make a snow cave.
I wouldn't be outside in a snow storm.
I carry a trap for these situations.
Some twigs and a trash bag should work.

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28_orders You're given an order you don't want to follow. Do you?
I'm sure I would ask about it first.
An order is an order.
I would follow it and report it later.
It depends on the consequences of the order.

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29_winter_work Could you handle working outside all year 'round? Even in the winter?
I do it now.
I prefer a desk job.
It's nice to get out, but that's too much.
If it wasn't cold, I wouldn't mind.

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30_bring to the job table In your opinion, what's the best thing you bring to the job table?
A willingness to learn
Reliability
Consistency
Experience

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