We’re in the army now! And the marines, and the navy, and the air force, and the national guard, and the coast guard…yes, homeschoolers are accepted into any branch of the military! In 2012 and 2014, Congress amended the National Defense Authorization Act, which makes it clear homeschoolers may enlist in the military just like any graduate from a public or private school.
Entering the Military Out of High School
You will need:
- A homeschool high school diploma*
- A high school transcript
- Verification compliance with any state law during high school
- Take the ASVAB test and the Assessment of Individual Motivation test, which is 20-minute pencil and paper test. The AIM test score is used to obtain data and does not affect qualification for enlistment.
- At a minimum, the last academic year (9 months) must be completed in a home-school environment
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a multiple-aptitude battery that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military.
BONUSES FOR HOME-SCHOOL GRADUATES
The Army now offers enlistment cash bonuses to homeschool graduates. Those who qualify receive the same incentives as traditional high-school graduates, including up to $40,000 for enlistments.
*Each branch of the military has tiers for recruits and classifies all their recruits in one of 3 tiers.
– Tier 1 recruits have earned a high school diploma or have completed 15 credits of college. A score of at least 31% must be scored on the ASVAB. Tier 1 recruits get first choice at open positions.
– Tier 2 recruits have earned a GED/TASC. Tier 2 make up less than 5% of accepted recruits. A score of 50% must be scored on the ASVAB.
– Tier 3 recruits have neither a high school diploma or GED/TASC. It is rare to be accepted into the military as Tier 3.
A homeschool graduate HAS earned a high school diploma which is legally accepted in WV on the same basis as a public school diploma, and would thereby enter as a Tier 1 recruit.
It is not recommended for the student to submit a GED/TASC or an accredited online high school diploma, which would place the student as a Tier 2 recruit. A GED/TASC is generally earned by students who were unable to obtain a high school diploma for some reason. An online accredited diploma is considered a correspondence diploma by the military and placed on the same level as a GED/TASC.
Attending a Military Academy
Does free college tuition sound appealing? Then entering a military academy will get you there! After academy graduation, you will need to agree to serve for a specified number of years.
You will need:
- A rigorous college prep plan
- Good SAT/ACT scores
- Physical exam
- Fitness test with a high score
- Detailed course descriptions
- Congressional or Presidential appointment
- A plus is showing leadership skills by being involved in school clubs, Civil Air Patrol, JROTC, Naval Seal Cadet Corps, Scouts, sports teams, or community service
The military has proven to be an excellent choice for many high school graduates. It provides the training and skills needed to help young adults succeed and advance in a military or civilian career.
More information can be found at the following websites:
*https://hslda.org/post/preparing-to-enter-the-military-your-mission
*https://www.thebalancecareers.com/us-military-enlistment-standards-3354009
*https://www.goarmy.com/benefits/additional-incentives/home-school-graduate.html
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