What is the correct spelling for military service?

The correct spelling of the word for serving in the military is Enlist: e-n-l-i-s-t, six letters, with no silent letters or doubled consonants. The word comes from the Old French enlister, from en- (into) plus list (a roll or register), originally meaning to enroll on a military list. The most common spelling errors are using two s's (Enlisst), inserting an extra letter (Enloist), or substituting an i for the e (Inlist).

The verb conjugates as enlist, enlists (third-person singular present), enlisted (past tense), enlisting (present participle), and the noun form is enlistment. On the USCIS writing test sentences containing enlist may include "Citizens can enlist in the Army" or "He enlisted in the Navy."

In U.S. military practice to enlist is to voluntarily join one of the six branches of the armed forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, and Coast Guard). The U.S. armed forces have been an all-volunteer force since 1973. Lawful permanent residents are eligible to enlist in most branches and have an expedited path to U.S. citizenship under sections 328 and 329 of the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The civics test asks several questions about military service and the duties of citizens, and the rights-and-responsibilities category includes Selective Service registration (the requirement that males aged 18 to 25 register, even though no draft is currently active). The U.S. military pays salaries to enlisted members ranging from roughly $2,000 per month for an entry-level recruit in 2026 to over $7,000 per month for a senior enlisted leader, plus housing and food allowances. Service members also gain access to the GI Bill for education benefits after qualifying service.