US Military Education Enlistment Standards

US Military Education Enlistment StandardsUS Military Education Enlistment StandardsEach branch of the U.S. military has slightly different education requirements for enlisted personnel. The minimum requirement is a GED (general equivalency diploma), and a certain number of college credits. But if you dont have a high school diploma, the requirements to enlist are more stringent. While its still possible to enlist with a GED, your chances are not as strong as people with traditional high school diplomas, and youre encouraged to bolster your education with some college credits. Most branches will require at least 15 credits, which is a full semester at most community colleges. Armed Forces VocationalAptitudeBattery (ASVAB) All recruits must also take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test before enlisting. This helps assess not only whether an applicant has the skills to join the service, but for what role he or she might be best suited. The ASVAB test is used t o calculate the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) scores, using the test takers standard scores from the arithmetic reasoning, mathematics knowledge, paragraph comprehension, and definitiv knowledge subtests. For enlistment purposes, the military breaks education into three overall categories viech 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3. The vast majority (more than 90 percent) of all enlistments fall into the Tier 1 category. Tier I Applicants in Tier I have a high school diploma, or at least 15 college credits. This means a high school diploma, not a GED. Depending on state law, completion of high school by home study may or may not be considered equivalent to a high school diploma. This is the most viable route to enter the armed services as an enlisted member. Tier II Tier II includes GEDs, home study (in some states), Certificate of Attendance, Alternative/Continuation High School, Correspondence School Diplomas, and Occupational Program Certificate (Vo/Tech) holders. The services limit the number of Tier II candidates allowed to enlist each year. In the Air Force, the number of Tier II candidates is fewer than one percent each year. In such cases, and the applicant must have a suitable score on the AFQT. Usually, requirements for the AFQT are more stringent for GED holders, as opposed to those with high school diplomas. The Army has typically allowed up to 10 percent each year to be Tier II candidates, and theMarines will only allow about 5 percent, and the Navy about 10 percent. And like the Air Force, Tier II recruits in other branches have a higher minimum score requirement on the AFQT. The Coast Guard only accepts Tier 2 candidates if they have prior military service, and also requires them to score higher on the AFQT. Tier III This category is all but non-existent in the 21st-century armed services. It includes anyone who is notattending high school and is neither a high school graduate nor an alternative credential holder. The services almost never accept a Tier 3 candidate for enlistment. If you fall into this category, your best bet is to get at least 15 college credits, so that you will be qualified as Tier I. Speak to your recruiter about the latest requirements, and see what assistance may be available to you in order to make yourself a more suitable candidate for enlistment.