Can High School Dropouts Join the Military?

Bit of a sticky situation, here - I had to drop out of high school for personal reasons but I'm not done pursuing my life's ambitions. I've been thinking about the military lately, but I'm unsure whether they'll accept someone without a high school diploma. Thoughts?

I understand your situation and it's commendable that you want to continue pursuing your life's ambitions despite facing personal challenges. The military can be an excellent path forward, providing both career opportunities and the chance to serve your country.

However, the U.S. military does generally require its recruits to have a high school diploma. They strongly prefer their recruits to have a traditional high school diploma because it suggests a certain level of educational accomplishment and persistence. Statistics have shown that those with high school diplomas tend to better complete their military term compared to those that don't.

That said, the military does sometimes accept those with a General Education Development (GED) compromise or other equivalency diploma. The GED is a series of tests that, when passed, certify that the test-taker has high school level academic skills. However, the number of recruits accepted with a GED or an equivalent is subject to quotas that can change depending on the needs of the military, and these recruits may not be eligible for certain bonuses or programs.

Therefore, if you're keen on joining the military, one option would be to consider obtaining a GED or similar equivalency diploma. You could then talk to a recruiter about your options so that you are well-informed about the requirements and any possible limitations because of not having a traditional high school diploma.

Remember, you are not alone and there are resources and help available for you during this time. Best of luck with navigating your path ahead!