Hey guys, just a quick question... Do you need to graduate high school to join the military? I'm definitely planning to finish, but it's always good to know the rules. Can anyone help clarify this for me? Thanks!
Hello! Great question. In general, to enlist in the U.S. military, you should have either a high school diploma or a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. This means that graduating high school isn't strictly necessary, especially if you have already obtained a GED, but it's typically beneficial to finish.
This is because having a high school diploma rather than a GED usually provides more opportunities within the military and increases the chances of successful enlistment. One reason for this is that military services often limit the number of accepted recruits who hold GEDs to a small percentage of the total entering cohort. Thus, while having a GED does allow someone to join the military, the competition for the limited spots could increase.
Keep in mind that each branch of the military has its own academic requirements, so it's best to look into the specifics of the branch you're interested in joining. There might be nuances or exceptions to these broad rules.
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