Do my high school grades have any impact if I enlist in the military?

Hey, peeps. I'm exploring my post-high school options, military being one of the tops. I was wondering if my high school grades will affect my chances of enlisting, or if they look at things like that at all? Any military folk out there able to clear things up?

Sure, happy to help with that. When it comes to enlisting in the military, the main academic requirement is that you have a high school diploma or GED, although the branches do prefer a high school diploma. Now, does your GPA matter for enlistment? Not directly. Your GPA won't form part of the enlistment qualifications. But remember the skills you learn in high school—including discipline, responsibility, and self-organization—will likely translate into success in military training and beyond.

However, be aware that the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test is a big part of the enlistment process. It's designed to gauge your aptitude in different areas to determine your qualifications for various military occupational specialties. The better you do on this test, the more job options you may have available to you in the military. The study habits and subject knowledge you've acquired in high school, regardless of the actual grades, can be beneficial for performing well on this test.

The military also offers officer candidate programs usually to those with a bachelor's degree, and your high school transcript could be more significant then, particularly if you're applying to a service academy or ROTC program.

Overall, while your enlistment won't directly hinge on your high school GPA, the academic and non-academic skills you've learned could still play an important role in your military future. Best of luck with whatever you decide!