Do you need a diploma to join the military? The question should probably be more like, “Is it worth it to finish high school?”

If you are reading this article to find out if you should finish your high school education, you are not alone. School may not seem as important when your family needs you to work but you may find that your job options are more limited without it.

Military Enlistment Requirements

One industry that many are drawn to is the United States military. The US military offers U.S. citizens and legal residents a wide variety of career options, from enlisted soldier to Space Systems Operator. Military personnel defend the country in ways that were previously unimaginable. A military job can provide employees with a great sense of purpose and offers huge rewards. Depending on how far you go in your military career or what branch you join, it can provide great benefits.

There are many possibilities in the US military, however, to be selected for service, you must meet some basic requirements. There will be many physical demands in a military career, so you must meet certain physical and mental standards. You will need to be in good health and be able to pass the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) medical exam. Some branches also encourage high moral standards as military personnel become representatives of their branch and must be above scrutiny.

Education Requirements

When it comes to education, most branches have the same requirements. Currently, all branches of the military require at least a high school diploma or equivalent. Some do accept a G.E.D. but it comes with added requirements such as 15 units of college credits or a higher score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. Some of the armed services limit the number of accepted G.E.D. applicants because the military service dropout rate is higher for those with a G.E.D. For this reason, G.E.D. applicants are often considered Tier 2 recruits while those with a high school diploma are Tier 1.

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) is one branch of the military that does not accept a G.E.D. at all. For a look at the education requirements, see the table below.

Table: Some of the general requirements for enlistment

Branch	H.S. Diploma	G.E.D.	Age (years)	Status
U.S. Air Force (USAF)	Yes	Yes with more requirements	17-39	U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
U.S. Army (USA)	Yes	Yes	17 - 35	U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)	Yes	Yes with more requirements	17 - 35	U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)	Yes	No	17 - 28	U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
U.S. Navy (USN)	Yes	Yes	17 - 39	U.S. citizen or a legal permanent resident
U.S. Space Force (USSF)	Yes	Yes	17 - 39	U.S. citizen.

Note: Most branches require a minimum qualifying score on the ASVAB test or similar test

Career Growth Possibilities

In the U.S. military, there is a defined hierarchy that provides a clear way to grow as a military professional. As an enlisted soldier, you may decide to grow in your career and strive to become an Officer. Officers are personnel that have gained knowledge and leadership skills during their career as an enlisted officer. They are leaders and trainers that manage and oversee a number of different military functions. There are many opportunities for those that reach the rank of Officer, but it does have some requirements. Officers must have training, experience, and a college degree.

So, if you’re wondering whether or not to return to high school or get a GED, remember that your window of opportunity to finish high school is always there BUT it gets smaller the more time goes on. It becomes harder the longer that you are away.

A million students or more dropout of high school each year but few of them return. If you are considering going back to high school, there are alternatives out there. We can help guide you to them. Find out how the Smart Schools can work for those who never finished high school. It’s an accredited high school for adults who need a flexible school option. Learn more here: https://smartschoolsusa.org/.