Effect of GED Scores on Military Occupation

Hello, everyone! So, I didn't really perform that well during high school and opted for a GED instead of a traditional diploma. I'm really interested in pursuing a career in the military, but I'm not sure whether my GED results will impact my job availability in the armed forces. Does anyone have information on this?

Greetings! It's good to see that you're considering the military as a career path. To be straight to the point, the military does accept GED earners, but preference is often given to those with traditional high school diplomas. This is primarily due to the number of slots available for recruits with GED qualifications.

The reasoning behind this approach comes from past statistics which suggest that recruits with a traditional high school diploma are more likely to complete their initial military service term compared to those with a GED. Consequently, the respective branches have set percentage limits on the number of GED recruits allowed in a year.

Here's the breakdown: In the Army, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard, up to 10% of new recruits can have GED. For the Air Force, this drops down to around 1%.

This doesn't mean you stand no chance, but it does mean competition for these slots is higher amongst GED earners and certain MOS (Military Occupation Specialties) might be more limited.

Another aspect to consider is your ASVAB score. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a test that determines the branches, and specific jobs within each branch, that you are qualified to enlist. A high ASVAB score can help offset the GED and open up more opportunities.

One last thing to note: certain branches offer GED Plus programs, where you head to a special training program, pass the GED, and then enlist on active duty - you can research further on this if it applies to your situation.

Best of luck with your military career aspirations!