Hey, I'm currently in my junior year, and I've been considering going for my GED then joining the military instead of sticking out all four years of high school. I was wondering though, do all branches of the military accept recruits with a GED or are there only specific ones that do this? If this is possible, could someone give me more information? Thanks in advance!
It's great that you're considering a path that aligns with your interests! Yes, you can indeed join the military with a General Educational Development (GED) certificate, but there are certain limitations and conditions to this.
All branches of the U.S. military – the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, and Space Force – do allow enlistment of individuals who have earned a GED. However, each branch caps the number of enlistees who hold a GED instead of a high school diploma, often only accepting GED holders for about 1-10% of new recruitment per year.
The military prefers recruits with a traditional high school diploma because statistics have shown that those with a high school degree tend to complete their first term of enlistment at a higher rate than those with a GED. This is a key reason why the military places a limit on GED enlistments.
One thing to keep in mind is that individuals with a GED might not be eligible for certain bonuses or programs.
In addition, having a GED instead of a high school diploma can affect an individual's "eligibility tier". The military categorizes potential recruits into three tiers, with Tier 1 being high school diploma holders, Tier 2 including recruits with a GED or other alternate credentials, and Tier 3 being individuals who dropped out of high school without receiving a diploma or alternate credential. Tier placement can impact a recruit's footing in the competitive enlistment process.
My best advice would be to consult a local recruiter who could provide you the most current information regarding the military's acceptance of GEDs. Consider the instances mentioned above, and make sure to weigh all your options and gather as much information as possible before making your decision.
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