I applied in-person. The process took 1 week. I interviewed at US Navy (Lafayette, IN) in Feb 2013
Interview
You will go to a recruiter and fill out a bunch of paperwork and be asked some screening questions before being scheduled to go to a MEPS (military entrance processing station) where you will take a basic standardized knowledge test (ASVAB), go through a medical screen, and to through a final interview there with another recruiter after passing the former two steps. You will sign your enlistment contract in that second interview.
I applied in-person. The process took 1 day. I interviewed at US Navy (New York, NY) in May 2013
Interview
if you can tie your own shoes, they'll take you. Just walk in, say you want a job, they'll give you an ASVAB, you need to at least spell your name correctly to get a job.
I applied through a recruiter. The process took 10 months. I interviewed at US Navy (West Valley City, UT) in Apr 2012
Interview
There are two pre-qualifying tests: ASVAB and DLAB. It's a very involved back ground check, so be prepared to provide a lot of contact information, addresses, and dates. Also, foreign contacts are going to be vetted so make sure you can procure names and feel comfortable disclosing entire nature of the relationship. It's the military so be prepared for a ton of paperwork.
Interview questions [1]
Question 1
Is there anything about your conduct that could be used to coerce you?