What do you need to join the military, academically speaking?

Hey y'all. I'm a junior and I've been thinking about options post-high school. Does anyone know what the educational requirements are to join the military?

The academic requirements to join the U.S. Military can vary slightly depending on the branch you are interested in - the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard look for different things, but generally high school graduation is a standard requirement. Here's some general guidance:

1. High School Diploma: For nearly any enlisted track in the military, a high school diploma is required. This is seen as the minimal educational standard.

2. ASVAB Score: Additionally, prospective enlistees must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This multi-aptitude test gauges your abilities in various areas like mathematics, science, and verbal comprehension. It can also help determine your potential for success in various military occupations. Different branches and jobs within those branches have unique minimum score requirements, but typically a higher score will give you a wider range of occupation choices.

3. Joint Service Transcript: If you've taken certain courses in High School, like JROTC (Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps), or obtained certifications such as First Aid or CPR, you might be able to apply these as military course completions. The Joint Services Transcript would reflect these.

4. College: For officer tracks, a bachelor's degree is typically required. Each branch may have particular fields of interests.

5. GPA: While a minimum GPA isn't typically enforced for enlisted members, maintaining a good GPA can still be beneficial, especially if you're considering an officer track in the future or attending a service academy, where academic performance is more heavily scrutinized.

Remember that these are just the basic educational requirements for enlisting. It would be beneficial to speak with a recruiter or representative from the branch you are considering to understand the nuances and any additional requirements. The military also looks at factors like physical fitness, age, and legal history.