Are you thinking about joining the US Army or Navy? If you want to serve your country, then you should consider enlisting. The benefits of joining the armed forces include free college tuition, health care, housing, food, and much more.
There are currently over 2 million active duty members of the US Armed Forces. In addition, there are also over 3.5 million veterans who served their country.
There are many ways to become a member of the armed forces. For example, you can apply directly through the Department of Defense (DOD). Or, you can try to get into the Army National Guard or Reserve.
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Can a High School Dropout Join the Military?
Yes, but it depends on what branch of service you want to join. For example, the Army accepts GED applicants at a higher rate than any other branch. The Army has a special program called the Military Accessions Vital to National Interest (MAVNI) that recruits individuals without college degrees.
How to Join the Military With No High School Diploma?
If you don’t have a high school degree, you may still qualify if you’re between 18 and 20 years old and meet certain requirements. For example, you’ll need to pass a physical fitness test and complete at least one year of service in the National Guard or Reserves.
The National Guard Youth Challenge Program (NGYCP) is for high school dropouts. This federal program is operated through a collaborative agreement by the state National Guard that aims to improve life skills and employment potential by providing military training and work experience to shape them into productive citizens. The candidates develop basic skills and leadership skills.
Does the Military Accept Dropouts?
Yes, but it’s not easy. Military recruiters look at applicants’ academic grades and test scores. They consider whether they’ve had any disciplinary problems, too. If you’re accepted into the armed forces, you’ll attend physical training. There, you’ll learn how to march, shoot weapons, and perform physical fitness tests. After the basic training, you’ll move on to advanced military training, which includes things like driving tanks.
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What Branch of the Military Does not Require a High School Diploma?
The US Army accepts GED graduates into its ranks. The Navy and Air Force both accept applicants without a high school equivalency diploma.
Each military branch has its academic achievement standards. The candidates fall into one of three tiers from the three-tier system.
- Tier 1
1st tier includes candidates with a high school diploma. Students with 15-semester college credits can also apply. Those who fall in this category are the most in-demand. They are expected to have a strong educational background and a high ASVAB score.
- Tier 2
The 2nd recruits tier includes those with a GED or an alternative certificate. The military branches limit the number of recruits from this tier. Ideally, Tier 1 candidate has a preference over 2nd tier candidate.
- Tier 3
The non-high school graduates fall in the 3rd tier. The candidates must be school graduates and pass GED, then go for a course to fall into the 1st tier or 2nd tier.
Can You Join the Army Without Graduating High School?
Yes, but it’s not a piece of cake To qualify, students need to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This test measures your aptitude in math, verbal reasoning, and science. It consists of four parts:
- General Science
- Electronics Information
- Mechanical Comprehension
- Arithmetic Reasoning
You can schedule it at one of your nearest test centers, and there are also centers at military bases. If you score well enough on this test, you may be able to skip some of the initial training and enter directly into one of the branches of the armed forces.
Can High School Dropouts Join the Marines?
Yes! High school dropouts can apply to become Marines. There are two types of Marines:
- Active Duty Marines (who serve one tour)
- Reserve Marines (who serve three tours)
Reserve Marines are eligible to re-enlist after completing their first tour. Active Duty Marines cannot re-enlist once they complete their first tour.
Can You Join the Military If You Dropout of High School?
Yes, but it’s not easy. Your chances of being accepted into the armed forces depend on your age, gender, ethnicity, physical condition, and whether you’ve ever had any disciplinary problems at school. You must not have any criminal record. If you’re under 18 years old, you’ll need parental consent before joining military services. Then there are additional requirements.
Can You Join the Military With a Certificate of Completion?
Yes. There are two ways to get into the armed forces without having completed high school. One way is to have a service of at least three years in the National Guard or Reserve Service before applying to Active Duty. If you’re already serving in one of those units, you’ll need to apply through the unit’s chain of command.
The second option is to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This test measures your aptitudes in math, verbal reasoning, and science. Scores on this test determine which job you’ll qualify for. You can schedule your test at your nearest test centers, and some of them are located near military bases.
If you meet the standards, you may be able to join the military as a commissioned officer. Commissioned officers are usually required to complete four years of college, although some branches allow for less. Officers typically earn more than enlisted personnel.
Does the Army Accept GED?
Yes! The army accepts GED. It often requires a high school diploma but it is still possible to join the armed services with a GED.
You must meet the requirements of age, height, weight, citizenship, education, and legal conditions.
Is a GED Better than a High School Diploma?
A high school diploma is a way to many career opportunities. It helps the students to prepare for their next level of education which is not equivalent to a one-day long test. The military limits the number of accepted GED applicants and requires higher GED scores. This is because GED holders have a 45% military dropout rate than high school diploma holders, which is only 24%. So, if you are a high school dropout, you should consider pursuing it.
Do Jobs Really Ask for High School Diploma?
Yes, they do. But it’s not always required. Some branches of the military don’t require a high school equivalency diploma. And some employers may consider a GED equivalent to a high school diploma.
What Does a Real GED Look Like?
A real GED looks just like any other high school diploma. It’s a document issued by the Department of Defense that certifies you’ve completed all the requirements for graduation from high school.
How Hard is a GED Test?
A GED test consists of four sections:
- Language Arts
- Mathematical Reasoning
- Science
- Social Studies
Each section has a different level of difficulty. If you prepare well, you will not find it difficult to clear.
Can You Join The Marines With A GED?
Yes! To qualify for the United States Marine Corps, you’ll need to earn at least 2 years of college credits and pass all the required tests. To become a commissioned officer, you’ll need to complete two years of college and pass the Officer Basic Course (OBC).
What Branch of the Military Can I Join Without a Diploma?
Are you looking to join the US Army or other branches of the armed forces? If so, you should know that joining the military requires a high school diploma or GED.
The US Army has three main branches:
- Infantry
- Armor
- Special Operations
Each branch has its educational and physical requirements for enlistment. For example, infantry recruits must be at least 17 years old, whereas armor recruits must be 18 years old.
You can apply to join the army through the Selective Service System. This system allows young men and women who meet certain criteria to register for the draft lottery.
Can You Join the Army at 17 With a GED?
Can you join the Army at age 17 with a GED? The answer is yes. There are several ways to get into military service. One way is through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). This program allows high school students to earn college credits and become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army or Air Force.
To qualify for ROTC, applicants must meet the requirement. They must be between the ages of 17 and 21, live within 50 miles of their local recruiting station, and pass a background check.
There are two types of ROTC programs: Officer Candidate School (OCS) and Military Science Institute (MSI). OCS is designed for those who want to pursue a career in the Armed Forces. MSI is for those interested in becoming a commissioned officer in the Navy, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, or National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps.