Uncle Sam doesn't want me?

[HolinessWarrior]

Hi, so I've recently decided that I would like to join the Guard. I've studied the military since I was very young. It's always been a great interest of mine and I'm sure that I could make a good soldier. But there's a catch. I'm home schooled, which means my way of graduating is to get a GED after my senior year. After talking to a Marine recruiter I learned that a GED doesn't qualify you for the military. I was devastated. So naturally I was thrilled to hear about the GED plus program that the Guard offers. But there's a problem there too. I didn't drop out of, or fail school, I was home schooled since the beginning. Which means that I wouldn't even have the required papers (certified 9th grade paper) to get into that program? Which leaves me with seemingly no other option. This frustrates me, like you wouldn't believe... Surely there's a way for a home schooled kid to serve his country. It's been my dream since I was very young. Please help!

[HR NCO]

There are homeschooled people in the guard. Not all of homeschool graduates get a GED, many actually graduate with an actual diploma. You can always get 15 college credits and then join with a GED.

[Mike.]

If you look through the forums you will see that its dependent on your state what they take for enlistment.

I believe one enlistment option is GED with 15 college credits you might want to look at that.

Do you have a GED, specifically?

[HolinessWarrior]

Well, I'm supposed to get a GED at the end of this year. And the problem with getting the credits is that I was depending on the Guard to help pay for college. And I've heard that it can take up to two years to earn enough credits... So I'm totally confused. I just don't see how I'm gunna join

[Mike.]

Well, I'm supposed to get a GED at the end of this year. And the problem with getting the credits is that I was depending on the Guard to help pay for college. And I've heard that it can take up to two years to earn enough credits... So I'm totally confused. I just don't see how I'm gunna join

I don't know what your economic situation is.

Do you live near a community college? Community colleges, generally, are cheap. If you can go to school full time for 1 semester and take 5 three hour courses then you could knock out that requirement in about 4 months. I would take 5 100 or 200 level classes that you like.

There is also CLEP. Which is an exam to get credits. Its about $20-30 for a study book and about $110 for each individual the test and processing.
I wouldn't recommend this route unless you know a subject really well.

I'm sure there are other ways too, that somebody can recommend.

[SSG_CONLEY]

I've enlisted kids in RI that were home schooled but, they had a deploma. Their parents simply submitted the required required by whichever home school review board would review them and then waited for a Diploma in the mail. Look online for a better place to send ALL of your mid terms & finals FOR A DIPLOMA.

Hi, so I've recently decided that I would like to join the Guard. I've studied the military since I was very young. It's always been a great interest of mine and I'm sure that I could make a good soldier. But there's a catch. I'm home schooled, which means my way of graduating is to get a GED after my senior year. After talking to a Marine recruiter I learned that a GED doesn't qualify you for the military. I was devastated. So naturally I was thrilled to hear about the GED plus program that the Guard offers. But there's a problem there too. I didn't drop out of, or fail school, I was home schooled since the beginning. Which means that I wouldn't even have the required papers (certified 9th grade paper) to get into that program? Which leaves me with seemingly no other option. This frustrates me, like you wouldn't believe... Surely there's a way for a home schooled kid to serve his country. It's been my dream since I was very young. Please help!

[A.Mac+]

As a homeschooling parent, it was brought to my attention that in most states, as long as a student meets the state requirements for graduation, a diploma can be granted by the "school" (read - teachers/parents). There are also many homeschool associations that can help with this, and it may require some testing, but many high schools (public or private) will actually grant a diploma to homeschooled students in their district.

Bottom line, you can get a GED and there are options for enlistment, but a diploma makes a lot of things easier across the board. Explore your options for obtaining an actual diploma.

Good Luck,

[HolinessWarrior]

Thanks a lot for all the replies. They're much appreciated. I've asked my parents about possibly switching to a home schooled program that offers a diploma. With this being my final year that's rather complicated though. I'm thinking right now the best option would be to just bust my tail and try and get the credits in one semester. I'll just have to find a reasonably priced school. Not to seem like a bother, but I have one more question for any recruiters reading this. My best friend joined the Marines, and his recruiter pulled strings to acquire an infantry slot for him. Well, since the fact that I'm home schooled is the reason that I don't have the required papers for the GED plus program, is there any possible way I could still get into that? Or is there no exceptions whatsoever? Thanks, a lot!

[HR NCO]

Get into the marines or into an infantry slot?

As for the Guard, it doesn't matter what job you enlist for, you will still have the same basic education requirement.

[Chief Kemosabe]

Marine recruiter pulling strings for infantry? Either this applicant was CATIV or he was disabled haha.

You can walk and breath and you qualify for Marine Infantry.

[HR NCO]

Marine recruiter pulling strings for infantry? Either this applicant was CATIV or he was disabled haha.

You can walk and breath and you qualify for Marine Infantry.

lol..."I had to call a favor into the White House, but it looks like I got you...wait for it...Infantry!"

[Chief Kemosabe]

lol..."I had to call a favor into the White House, but it looks like I got you...wait for it...Infantry!"

SSG, you literally had me laughing out loud with your response.

[HolinessWarrior]

The Marine infantry slots are currently taken up. If you applied for the infantry they would say there's no slots left. But this kid is seriously the most patriotic kid I've ever met. He lives and breaths God and country. And his recruiters love him. I'd hardly call him disabled.
- Respectfully, Luke K.

[HolinessWarrior]

Well, make jokes if you want, but I'm not here to argue. I'm simply trying to figure out how to join so I can serve my country. If anyone can help, please do so. Thanks.

[crimeguy]

Well, make jokes if you want, but I'm not here to argue. I'm simply trying to figure out how to join so I can serve my country. If anyone can help, please do so. Thanks.

Well, I'm supposed to get a GED at the end of this year. And the problem with getting the credits is that I was depending on the Guard to help pay for college. And I've heard that it can take up to two years to earn enough credits... So I'm totally confused. I just don't see how I'm gunna join

You have been given some advice on here but I am a little confused now. You say you are joining because you want the Guard to help pay for college. After seeing a little military humor you become defensive and now want to join to serve your country. So if the Guard was not offering college assistance would your desire to join be as strong? Anyway, put your frustration aside, learn to laugh, and with the assitance of your parents start researching the high school dipoloma stuff.

[HolinessWarrior]

Well I want to join for multiple reasons. As I've already said I've wanted to join the military since I was very young. I wasn't exactly thinking of having them pay for my schooling at six years old lol. I've just always loved the military. So to say that I'm joining to have them pay for college is entirely wrong. But yes, it is a very nice benefit. And yes my desire would still be very, very strong. You'll have to forgive me if I seem short tempered. I apologise. It's just that my dream is to join the military and it frustrates me that a common high school drop out can join and yet I can't simply because I was home schooled.

[A.Mac+]

I think that there may be more options out there than you think. Don't get impatient and let impatience cause you to make rash decisions and/or statements you might later regret.

Do I understand correctly that you are a Senior this year? If so, unless you would be planning on getting your GED this month and starting community college in Jan to get your 15 credits, you actually have about 7-8 months to keep looking for other options. If you can work something else out sooner - BONUS!!

[robinpugs06]

Well I want to join for multiple reasons. As I've already said I've wanted to join the military since I was very young. I wasn't exactly thinking of having them pay for my schooling at six years old lol. I've just always loved the military. So to say that I'm joining to have them pay for college is entirely wrong. But yes, it is a very nice benefit. And yes my desire would still be very, very strong. You'll have to forgive me if I seem short tempered. I apologise. It's just that my dream is to join the military and it frustrates me that a common high school drop out can join and yet I can't simply because I was home schooled.

First of all, you might want to watch what you say because some people on here that can give you valuable advice are common high school drop outs.
Second, anyone without a regular diploma (GED) and doesn't have 15 college credits is in the same boat as you right now. The military is not in need of recruits so they can pick and choose who they want.
Third, you have options you just need to do some research to figure out what you or your parents need to do in order to have your education be counted by your state so you can get a regular school diploma

[robinpugs06]

Check out this website:
http://www.hslda.org/highschool/diploma.asp
"High School Diploma

A high school diploma is a document that bears record of the completion of a course of study. If you're wondering whether your homeschooled student can receive a diploma, the answer is yes!


As the parent, you've prescribed your child's course of study and you can present a diploma that indicates he has successfully completed it. Some correspondence schools also provide diplomas for completion of their course of study.


If for some reason the college your child wants to attend looks skeptically at homeschool diplomas, the quickest way to demonstrate academic competence is to have your child take several courses at the local community college. By dual enrolling, your child can take classes that help complete her high school course work while earning college credit at the same time (subject to state and individual college policies). Those college credits will allow your child to transfer to the school of her choice. (If you select this route, be sure that your child's destination college will accept the specific college courses she plans to take.)"

"Do I need an “accredited” diploma? If so, how do I get one? Some colleges and employers look down on a homeschool diploma (they want it to be state-certified).The quick answer is, “No.” However, there are certain schools and organizations that have received accreditation from an accrediting body and their diplomas are considered to be accredited. In order to obtain an accredited diploma, a student must complete graduation requirements from a school—whether it be correspondence or on campus—that is accredited by a recognized accrediting organization. Public high schools are not necessarily accredited. Therefore, the diplomas they issue would not be accredited either. However, colleges and universities generally recognize these public high school diplomas as if they were issued by accredited organizations.
Even so, how do I get an “accredited” diploma?There are organizations which, for a fee, offer to give homeschool students an “accredited” diploma upon completion of their program. In HSLDA’s experience, most homeschool parents do not seek such an accredited diploma."

[Chief Kemosabe]

The Marine infantry slots are currently taken up. If you applied for the infantry they would say there's no slots left. But this kid is seriously the most patriotic kid I've ever met. He lives and breaths God and country. And his recruiters love him. I'd hardly call him disabled.
- Respectfully, Luke K.

Luke,

Nobody here was doubting his yearning for patriotic duty. I assume when you say that slots are taken up; its because the school seats are full for the fiscal year. I believe if he holds out; he will eventually will able to receive a slot. The joke was the qualification bit.

I joined the Army 29 years ago and still am serving so I know when you are young and eager for something.

Like I said before; good luck.

[robinpugs06]

I posted two seperate posts but both said they need moderator approval...hmmm...one had some good info!

[HolinessWarrior]

Okay, first of all, thank you guys for the replies. I appreciate them and I apologise if I seemed irritable. My tone wasn't as harsh as my words sounded lol. And as A.Mac+ stated, I've got months to find a solution. With that being said, I have one for question for you guys. Now mind you I'm not looking for any kind of special treatment, that's a poor attitude to have going into the military. But let's say I went ahead and got my GED at the end of the year, (I would need it for the credits anyway) now the GED plus program requires the 9th grade paper. If I went to a Guard recruiter and told him that my only flaw was that I didn't have the paper, but I had something better, I already had a GED, and respectfully requested a chance to prove myself in their own GED program, would there be the slightest chance of that happening? I mean surely a full GED qualifies you just as well as a 9th grade paper... Or is that just wishful thinking on my part? Thanks in advance.

[A.Mac+]

Ok, I think you may be getting tunnel vision and are missing something we've been trying to tell you. So here goes, one last time.

Assuming that you & your parents have met the requirements for your state (standardized test scores above 25th percentile, regular reporting, etc.) so you are not considered truant (drop-out), you can join the National Guard just like any other high school graduate.

Your parents can print and sign a diploma for you. It can be as fancy or as plain as they want. They could even have a print shop print & emboss it. You then take that diploma into your recruiters office and you proceed as a high school graduate.

Unless there is something you're not telling us, this is your easiest path into the National Guard. Some colleges may not be quite as easy but many are actually actively recruiting homeschool students because they generally out perform their peers. If you score well enough on the ACT and/or SAT they won't really care if your diploma is on the back of a napkin, so go take at least one of those tests.

Now, just start filling out your Path To Honor application here: National Guard Apply Online and then talk to a recruiter. If you don't want PTH to choose your recruiter for you, check out this thread: Different-Recruiter Make sure you mark anything regarding high school with the assumption that you are going to graduate and have a diploma in the spring.

Good Luck,

[HR NCO]

No, you can not go to GED plus if you have a GED already. There are no exceptions.