Does homeschooling impact military enlistment?

I'm homeschooled and thinking about joining the military after I graduate. Will my homeschooling background affect my ability to enlist or my options within the military? What should I know about the enlistment process for homeschoolers?

Rest assured that being homeschooled does not disqualify you from enlisting in the U.S. military. The military does accept GEDs and homeschool diplomas, although they sometimes place caps on the number of enlistees with non-traditional high school diplomas each year. Prior to 2020, homeschool graduates were in a "Tier 2" category for enlistment, which was lower priority than public school graduates, but these restrictions changed and now homeschool graduates are generally classified as "Tier 1" candidates.

However, you may be required to provide additional documentation during your enlistment process. This can include providing homeschooling curriculum information as well as a diploma from your state, a letter from an umbrella school, or results from a GED or another state-approved high school equivalency test. In some cases, the military may require an equivalency test even if they accept your homeschool credentials.

As for options within the military, the path available to those who were homeschooled is generally comfortable with those who graduated from a public or private high school. Additionally, outstanding performance on the ASVAB, which is the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, could open more doors for you, regardless of your educational background.

To prepare for enlistment, you should focus on improving your physical fitness, studying for the ASVAB, and gaining a broad understanding of the branch you're looking to enlist in. Researching potential jobs within the military and thinking about which path you'd like to take can also be helpful. Consider discussing these plans with a recruiter, who will be able to give you specific advice tailored to your goals and circumstances.