Most people know you need a high school diploma to jumpstart a military career, but what if you don’t have one? Can you enlist for the United States military if you don’t have a general educational development (GED) certification or high school diploma? We’ll discuss which military branches have more lenient education requirements for basic training below.
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All About Armed Forces Requirements
Each military branch has its own set of requirements. However, all branches have the same general ones. If you wish to enlist for the Coast Guard or Space Force, you should know that the Armed Forces is open to U.S. citizens and non-citizens. Non-citizens who want to enlist should either have a U.S Permanent Resident Card, commonly known as a green card, and have the ability to speak, read, and write in English.
The exact age range requirement varies according to the service branch, but you must be between 17 and 42 years old to sign up. All interested enlistees are required to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The passing grade from the Armed Forces Qualification test depends on the service branch you’re applying for.
All recruits must be physically fit, so you must pass the physical fitness and medical exam to join. The Armed Forces have the same general educational requirement.
However, recent developments have opened opportunities for those who lack a General Educational Development (GED) certification or high school diploma. You don’t need a college degree to pursue a military career. In fact, many enlistees use military benefits to pursue a degree once they get discharged.
Which Military Branch Doesn’t Require You To Have A High School Diploma?
In January 2024, the Navy announced that it would extend applications to people without a high school diploma or GED, provided that the applicants attain a minimum score of 50 in their Armed Forces Qualification test.
The Navy made this move to boost recruitment, and this is the first time the Navy has made the application process more lenient since 2000.
As of writing, the Navy remains the only service branch that permits the waiver of high school or GED requirements for recruits. However, the Navy maintains that relaxing educational requirements doesn’t mean that it is compromising its recruitment standards.
The Navy also hopes time in the branch will help recruits earn a GED once accepted. The Navy foresees an extra 500 to 2,000 sailors will join its ranks with this announcement.
There have been other adjustments to Navy recruitment policies in recent years. In November 2022, the Navy raised the maximum age requirement for enlistment from 39 to 41 and raised its enlistment bonus to $50,000. Nowadays, the highest bonus you can attain from the Navy is $75,000, exclusively for those in the nuclear field.
Creating opportunities for those without a high school diploma or GED doesn’t mean that absolutely anyone can sign up for th Navy. Those who intend to enlist must pass the other general requirements listed above. Moreover, you need a minimum score of 50 in the qualification exam to be accepted in the Navy.
The Navy has several recruitment hubs; you can find the ones nearest you through their website. If you have further inquiries, you can seek guidance through this link.
Once you’ve contacted a recruiter, you must go to a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS). This is where you’ll take your qualification and physical fitness exam.
Once you get your test results, you’ll receive counsel on your job options within the service branch. The Navy has plenty of opportunities, especially if you get a high score.
After you’ve decided which career path to take within the Navy, you must take the Oath of Enlistment. You’re then redirected to the Recruit Training Command (RTC), commonly referred to as boot camp.
Career Opportunities in the Armed Forces
Regardless of whether you end up in the National Guard, Marine Corps, or the Navy, a military career can open plenty of career opportunities. Each branch presents diverse opportunities, depending on the job vacancies and demands available.
In general, the bigger service branches have more jobs available. However, your opportunities would rely on how you fare in the recruitment exams.
If you intend to grow as a military professional, you can work towards becoming an officer. From there, you can rise in the ranks and get more military benefits. You can also have the chance to participate in exciting missions that may give you a sense of fulfillment.
Signing up for military duty doesn’t necessarily correlate that you’ve signed up to spend your professional life in the military. College education can be expensive, and many young recruits use military benefits to pursue their dream college degree after getting discharged.
Thus, working in the Armed Forces can be your stepping stone to other career opportunities. You have plenty of job choices as you get a favorable discharge status.
Benefits of Being a Service Member
Enlisting in the military can open many opportunities. Active-duty service members are compensated based on their pay grade. They’re also generally entitled to bonuses, free healthcare, basic housing allowances, and military discounts. All service members are granted access to the many facilities in military bases.
The benefits of being a service member aren’t confined to one’s military base. You can get financial and legal protections under certain circumstances if you’re on active duty, according to the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA).
The SCRA is designed to help service members concentrate on serving the country. This federal law grants eligible people with interest rate limits on pre-service debt, the ability to cancel contracts without penalties, protection from eviction, and many more.
Verifying Military Status with SCRACVS
If you’re wondering, ‘What branches of the military can you join without a GED?’ The answer is simple: Only the Navy permits people without a high school diploma or GED to enlist in its ranks. If you get accepted into the Navy and are granted active-duty status, you must present proof of active duty service to maximize military benefits, like SCRA rights.
SCRACVS can help you obtain the verification necessary to maximize your benefits as an active-duty member. Click here to sign up at SCRAVS and verify the active duty status.
FAQs
How to join the military?
You must meet the requirements of the service branch you’re aiming to join and look for a recruiter to take the exam. Each branch has its designated requirement standards, so you must be mindful of the branch you intend to join.
What disqualifies you from the Air Force?
Physical fitness is a requirement for all service branches, so physical impairments may hinder your chances of becoming an Airman. Moreover, you shouldn’t have any severe law violations on your permanent record to be accepted in this branch.
What is the easiest military branch to join?
The most accessible service branch is the Army because it’s also the biggest branch available. This branch has the most lenient recruitment requirements.
What is the age limit for the military?
It would depend on the service branch, but the oldest you can generally enlist is 41 years old. However, you should confirm with the service branch you intend to enlist in if you qualify.
What qualifications do I need to be in the Army?
The Army is open to both U.S. citizens and non-citizens. You must pass the physical and medical exam and be between 17 and 41 to join. You can join the Army as long as you have a GED or high school diploma. You also need to pass the aptitude test to determine your job options within the branch.