How to Join the Philippine Army 2026: Qualifications, Requirements and Salary

Last updated: October 30, 2026

The Philippine Army is the main branch of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) in charge of ground warfare. It is also known as Hukbong Katihan ng Pilipinas.

Do you want to serve our country as a soldier or as an Army officer? This guide explains the two main ways to join, the current qualifications posted by the Philippine Army, the AFPSAT, and how much you can earn in 2026.

Ways to join the Philippine Army

There are two main entry programs for civilians:

• Candidate Soldier Course (CSC) – for those who want to become enlisted personnel. This is a 16-week training.
• Officer Candidate Course (OCC) – a one-year training for college graduates who want to become commissioned Second Lieutenants in the Regular Force. Training is held at the Officer Candidate School, TRADOC, Camp O’Donnell, Capas, Tarlac.

The Army also has an OCC-ROTC track for graduates of the Probationary Officer Training Course (POTC) or MS43 who are already Second Lieutenants in the Reserve Command.

If you want to be an officer through the Philippine Military Academy instead, see our PMA entrance exam guide.

Candidate Soldier Course qualifications

Based on the official Join the Army website, you must be:

• At least 18 years old but not a day older than 26 years old upon oath-taking
• A natural-born Filipino citizen
• A Senior High School graduate or have at least 72 college units
• Single with no parental obligation
• At least 5 feet tall (male and female)
• Physically and mentally fit
• Free of pending cases in any court

Initial requirements

• High school or K-12 diploma
• Form 137 or copy of grades
• PSA birth certificate
• Valid ID

Officer Candidate Course qualifications

You must be:

• A baccalaureate degree holder
• A natural-born Filipino citizen
• Single with no parental obligation
• At least 5 feet tall (male and female)
• Physically and mentally fit
• At least 21 years old but not a day older than 27 years old upon oath-taking
• Free of pending cases in any court

Initial requirements

• College diploma
• Transcript of Records
• PSA birth certificate
• Valid ID

AFPSAT

All applicants must pass the AFP Service Aptitude Test (AFPSAT). The Army recruitment offices also run other screening steps such as the physical fitness test, medical and neuro-psychiatric exams, and background investigation.

AFPSAT schedules change often and depend on the recruitment office. Check these guides:

• AFPSAT exam schedule and requirements
• ARO Luzon AFPSAT registration
• ARO Visayas AFPSAT schedule
• ARO Mindanao AFPSAT schedule and online registration
• AFPSAT reviewer

How much is the salary in 2026?

Military pay is set by the base pay schedule for military and uniformed personnel (MUP). Under Executive Order No. 107 (s. 2025), the first tranche of the new base pay took effect on January 1, 2026. Here are the 2026 monthly base pay rates for Army entry ranks:

• Candidate Soldier: ₱19,516
• Private: ₱31,151
• Cadet / Probationary Second Lieutenant: ₱40,284
• Second Lieutenant: ₱46,020

These are base pay only. Soldiers also receive allowances on top of base pay, such as subsistence allowance (₱350 per day starting January 1, 2026), so the actual take-home amount is higher.

For the full table, read our post on the base pay schedule of military and uniformed personnel and Philippine Army ranks and salary.

Benefits

• Pay and allowances even while on training
• Health care benefits
• Billeting and housing privileges
• Job security
• Leadership and skills training
• Career advancement based on performance
• Chances for local and foreign postgraduate studies

How to apply

Apply online through the official Philippine Army recruitment website: jointhearmy.ph.

You can also follow the official Facebook pages of the Army Recruitment Offices (ARO) for announcements and AFPSAT schedules:

• Army Recruitment Office – Luzon (Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City)
• Army Recruitment Office – Visayas (Camp Lapu-Lapu, Cebu City)
• Army Recruitment Office – Mindanao (Cagayan de Oro City)

Applying to the Army is free. Do not pay anyone who promises to make you pass the AFPSAT or get you in.

Related posts

• Philippine Army officer recruitment
• How to apply as a Philippine Army reservist
• Philippine Marines recruitment and qualifications
• AFPSAT result
• Latest government job openings

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