Sparking
the Future
KNOWING WHAT YOU NEED: THE ASVAB
GRADES: 9-10
LESSON: 6
LEARNING GOALS :


Students will identify the testing requirement to enlist in the military.
Students will identify potential military and civilian careers of interest.
ALIGNMENT WITH STANDARDS :



Essential Academic Learning Requirements Grades 9/10 Grade Level Expectations: This
lesson is aligned with Writing 1.5.1 and Educational Technology 1.3.2 and 1.3.3. Students
will develop materials in an appropriate format for a college search. They will locate,
analyze, and use information from military web sites.
Common Core State Standards Grades 9-10: This lesson is aligned with English Language
Arts Writing 4, 7, and 8. Students will prepare a short writing exercise and conduct a
focused research project using military web sites.
American School Counselor Association National Standards: This lesson is aligned with
ASCA Academic A1.2, A2.1, and B1.3. Students will display an interest in learning,
demonstrate task management skills, and apply the skills needed for academic success.
MATERIALS NEEDED:


ASVAB Handout (included in this lesson plan)
Internet Access – for students to take Army career assessment
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES:
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 1
Rev 12/11
1. Explore levels of interest in the military. Ask for a show of hands: how many people
know someone in the military? Ask volunteers to share information about people they know
in the military: what branch and rank, where they are stationed, if they have been
deployed, etc. Then ask how many students think they may be interested in enlisting in the
military after they graduate from high school. If you wish, have students talk in small
groups to discuss their goals for life after high school, focusing on allowing those with an
interest in the military to share their ideas and plans with other students. (5-10 minutes)
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 2
Rev 12/11
Sparking the Future | Grades 9-10 | Lesson 6
THE ASVAB, continued
2. Introduce the ASVAB. Next, ask students if just anyone can join the military. Note their
answers, then explain that before someone can join the military they must take an exam
called the ASVAB. The ASVAB stands for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery.
It tests both academic and career related skills. Ask students to call out the subjects they
think might be on the ASVAB. Note their answers on the board. Then, distribute the ASVAB
Handout and review it, explaining that the ASVAB includes: general science, arithmetic
reasoning, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, mathematics knowledge,
electronics information, auto information, shop information, and mechanical comprehension.
Discuss why this range of skills might be helpful for placement in the military. (5-10
minutes)
3. Use Army web site to explore career interests. Next, explain that those who join the
military – just like those who go to college – need to select a career interest. Based on
their interests and aptitudes, new recruits receive training for a specific military career.
With students working at the computer either individually or in small groups, have them go
to www.goarmy.com/goarmywebapp/GetAdvicceResults.do and take the Army’s career
interest survey to determine the types of military and civilian careers they might want to
pursue. Ask them to complete the handout. (15-20 minutes)
STUDENT PRODUCTS:

ASVAB Handout. Students should complete the handout.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
Students who are interested in a future with the military might be interested in the following
resources:


ASVAB Information: www.military.com/ASVAB
March 2 Success: www.march2success.com
Military-sponsored test preparation and student academic assistance
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 3
Rev 12/11
ASVAB
Handout
WHAT IS NEEDED FOR MILITARY ENLISTMENT?
LEARN WHAT THE MILITARY REQUIRES
Name _____________________________
WHAT IS THE ASVAB?
If you want to join the military, you will need to take the ASVAB! The ASVAB is the Armed
Services Vocational Aptitude Battery and it is an exam that tests your skill in both academic and
career areas. The ASVAB includes:









General science
Arithmetic reasoning
Word knowledge
Paragraph comprehension
Mathematics knowledge
Electronics information
Auto information
Shop information
Mechanical comprehension
WHAT TYPES OF JOBS DOES THE MILITARY OFFER ?
If you think you might like to join the military, you will need to pursue a career. What are you
interested in doing? Find out at www.goarmy.com/goarmywebapp/GetAdvicceResults.do
INFORMATION TO RESEARCH
FINDINGS
One potential career
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 4
Rev 12/11
Requirements
Training
Helpful skills
Related civilian jobs
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 5
Rev 12/11
ASVAB HANDOUT
ANSWER KEY (for one example)
If you think you might like to join the military, you will need to pursue a career. What are you
interested in doing? Find out at www.goarmy.com/goarmywebapp/GetAdvicceResults.do
INFORMATION TO RESEARCH
FINDINGS
One potential career
Translator Aide
Requirements
Proficient in one or more target languages
Training
Basic Combat Training + Advanced Individual
Training + language proficiency
Helpful skills
Talent for foreign languages
Related civilian jobs
Civilian interpreter
Sparking the Future is sponsored by the Washington State Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction
with funding provided by College Spark Washington. For more information, please visit
www.k12.wa.us/SecondaryEducation/CareerCollegeReadiness
Page 6
Rev 12/11