Hey everyone, so I didn't exactly finish high school, but I managed to get my high school equivalency diploma. I've been considering joining the military, but I'm a little bit anxious: would they accept an equivalency diploma or do I need a traditional high school diploma? What's the difference for them?
Yes, the military does accept high school equivalency diplomas such as the GED, but the path might be slightly more difficult than if you had a traditional high school diploma.
The U.S. military classifies applicants into three tiers based on their educational achievements. Tier 1 is for applicants with traditional high school diplomas, Tier 2 is for those with alternative credentials like a GED, and Tier 3 is for those with other credentials or no high school education. The military prefers Tier 1 applicants due to statistical evidence showing they tend to complete their first term of enlistment at a higher rate than those from the other tiers.
That being said, Tier 2 applicants are not rejected outright. They can still enlist, but the slots available for such applicants are limited, as regulations set a cap on the percentage of new recruits who can be from Tier 2 (currently about 10%). So competition can be stiffer if you're coming from this background.
To increase your chances, consider adding to your qualifications. This could be by earning college credits (15 semester hours or 22 quarter hours count as a Tier 1 credential), scoring well on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), or becoming physically fit to meet the physical standards of service. Some branches also offer programs that might help you move up from a Tier 2 to Tier 1 status.
In short, while having only a high school equivalency diploma might make the path to the military a bit more challenging, it's certainly not a disqualifier and there are different ways to improve your chances. It's also worth reaching out to your local recruiting office who can give more specific advice tailored to your situation.
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