DOD Updates Enlistment Priority for Certain Education Credentials
The Department of Defense announced today that eligible students with diplomas from home schools, virtual/distance learning and adult/alternative schools, who score 50 or above on the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT), will now receive Tier 1 enlistment priority.
The policy change implements the 2012 National Defense Authorization Act requirement. Previously, many of these graduates received Tier 2 enlistment priority.
The purpose of the DoD education credential policy is to predict adaptation to the military and successful completion of military service. The education credential tiers were initially developed more than 30 years ago, based on first-term attrition rates associated with various education credential types. Because Tier 1 graduates are more likely to complete their first term of enlistment, department benchmarks require that at least 90 percent of recruits enlisting possess a Tier 1 credential.
While numerous studies have shown education credential source or type as a predictor of first-term attrition, aptitude, as measured by the AFQT, also predicts attrition behavior. Those with diplomas from home schools, virtual/distance learning and adult/alternative schools who score above 50 on the AFQT have similar attrition to traditional high school graduates.
“It’s important for everyone interested in joining the military to understand that the current competitive recruiting environment, high retention, and force reductions, have impacted the number of positions available to interested applicants,” said Lernes Hebert, acting director of accession policy. “High demand has also affected the waiting time to enter the military. On average, a typical recruit is now entering the military eight or nine months after his or her initial visit with a recruiter.”
All applicants for military service, regardless of credential type, must also meet a variety of other enlistment standards – including aptitude, medical, and conduct standards.
U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)
So what do you think? I recruited for many years and dealt quite a bit with Homeschoolers and some alternative schools not so much with virtual at the high school level. With entrance into the military being more competitive do you think this will have any impact?
This is really awesome! I have wanted to join the military for the longest time, and I never could because I graduated from a virtual school, but now that they passed that new law I am surely going to enlist.
What service are you looking into joining?
Is this law true?so I can go and enlist in the navy with diploma I earned online?
I graduated from a Charter schooled program and i got a 32 on the asvab. Now they're telling me i need a 50 to qualify for the armed forces. It doesn't make sense to me. A high school is a high school you know!
Note my friend have a GED will he be able to join the Army and what score does he has to to make on the AFQT.
Thanks
He would have to make at least a 50 on the ASVAB && also have 15 college credits to be able to enlist into the Army with a GED.
I just talked to a Navy recruiter and he said that 5 months ago, they changed it to if you have a GED, you just have to score a 50 or higher on the ASVAB.. I thought that was awesome!
Hi.just wanted to ask if I can join the AF if im a Green card holder and just came here in US last aug of this year.Im a college undergrad in the Philippines.What shud b my score in asvab?thanks
Would depend on the expiration date on the greencard!
my green card is good for 10 years.My worry is my high school diploma and college transcript because I studied in the Philippines.Thank you
thank you.btw,wat score shud i get to qualify for AF?
same situation here. same nationality. same branch interested in. wow! lots of help from you. thanks a lot fella! hope you and i will make it.
The way it works is you will need to send you transcripts in to be evaluated. They will come back with a recommendation as to what your level of education is. High school equivilent, Associate's degree, Bachelor's degree. There are strick guidlines to where you send your transcripts for eval. Get with a recruiter in the branch you want to join to get the address for the eval. A greencard with 10 year expiration is good to join the service with!
You need to score at least a 55 on the ASVAB Test in order to qualify for the Air Force.
Just 50 ABOVE in USAF.. =)
Just wondering if a potential recuit with a GED scores above a 50 on the asvab will also need to have 15 college credits but someone who attends a virtual school or is home school only has to have a score of 50 or higher the asvab but needs no college credits, boy is that a double standard, the test for all three to receive either diploma is almost the same test that is given. Why is it that one need to have college credits and the other two dont?
It depends on the service! With the Army National Guard you can enlist with just getting a 50 if you have a GED
I am looking to join the navy and have a GED. I will have 15 college credits at the end of this semester. So all I need to do is get a 50 or higher on the ASVAB?
can i join the navy reserve and have a ged but no college credits?
so the army national guard is accepting recruits with a g.e.d and no 15 credits but a 50 or higher on the test? is that correct?
I can read, but several recruiters cannot. Get out of the office is the most common response. If homeschoolers who score below 50 on the ASVAB are tier 2 that tells me you must let them take the test to see what their score is and if they score above 50 they are tier 1. Also, you cannot believe how many times I have been told that the military does not have to obey federal law; they make there own rules.
If my bf received his GED about a year ago, had to drop out this semester of college due to his work schedule and doesn't have any more fafsa money to continue going until next year AND we're having a baby in 3 months…is there anything we can do to speed up the process??Also, when do they do drug testing in the process of enlisting??
FYI….If you have to ask when drug testing occurs during recruitment, you probally should not be considering enlistment. Wether you are clean at enlistment does not affect wether you are clean later. The miltary frowns upon drug usage.
I went to an alternative school and I received a diploma but they had a test that gave 5 credits if you passed each section. Would I still be able to join
the navy? I took a practice test for the AFQT in school and had a 55 so I'm not worried about the test at all.
I was wondering if I would still be able to join the marines although i was home schooled and I do not have my high school diploma or a GED
okay im 18 years old a female and i want to be in the marines or the army what would be the scores i would need to have to get into those branches
Hi, I am seeking help, I am an ex felon at the age of 17. I have not tried to list yet i am interested in the navy but willing to consider any as a 23 year old male, scoring high on the test will not be a prob. In the state of Illinois 17 is considered an adult idk if i was tried as an adult. I want to know if any service will consider felons as a candidate.
Doubt It. Pretty sure thats a No
I finished hs but a week before graduation found out I missed five points on science ogt test from the state of ohio (i live) getting my ged now. Will the army let me join? I finished hs which is a plus.
If you missed 5 pts on a test and are now required to take a ged then you did not finish high school. You can get with a Army office and they will let you know what additional requirements, if any will need to be ment.
Thank you
i want to join the marine corps after high school and i wondering if my boyfriend can come with and don't know and i'm getting marry in 2 years from now and i'm 19 year old and i'm female and i love the marine corps a lot and i wonder if i can talk to the recruiter about it.
those this aplly on texas too?
I was wondering, i graduated from a National Guard Youth Challenge Academy Program with my GED but i do not have college credits. I am forced to work a dead-end job just to help support my parents. I am very interested in the airforce. However What do you think are my chances of enlisting into the Airforce?
I am dreaming for so long to join the AF and now it is time, but the problem is that I am a little bit overweight. What should I do to quickly lose weight?
crap.I just started these stupid college credits last week and hope to gid that when I'm done and go back to the recruiting office they don't tell me more bad news like my 15 credits aren't enough. I mad like a 70 on my ASVAB and that should be enough. With my ASVAB score and college credits together I should be more than someone else with a regular diploma.Just ridiculous.
I graduated from a homeschooling academy and finished all 230 credits plus got my diploma. Except I have to score over a 50? How is that possible if I have my high school diploma instead of a ged. Someone help lol
I'm 17years old,interested in joining the navy.i can't get my diploma.what is my best option.need answers…need help
I have an online diploma from ashworth college can I join the army if I score a 50 or higher?
I have an online Diploma can I join the army if I score a 50 or higher?
so does this mean with my GED i can join the military because i have spoken to an army recruiter and she stuck to the old "if you dont have 15 college credits you cant even sign up" but the navy recruiter told me it wasnt an issue.
I got my GED about a month after they changed the enlistment requirements, im wanting to join the navy but i keep getting told that i need the 15 college credit hours. I scored a 73 on my asvab so am i eligible or not? I keep getting the run around and the recruiters act like im not worthy to join the navy. i was in the DEP program my senior year but some things happened and i was forced to get my GED. I cant help what happened, i just want to better myself by enlisting in the US Navy. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Would u be able to test out of highschool and enlist in the airforce? I scored a 68 on my asvab my sophomore year any other requirements?
my niece is 17 almost 18 and has a 11month old baby. she has mentioned joining the airforce.. can anyone give me some information as what she would have to do what is required?
I have my Ged and scored an 83 on the asvab and was still turned away by the marines. this law is rather old and i think it only.applies to “adult education diplomas”
what if you have a high school proficency exam diploma will you still be able to get in to the military????
Im from Fiji will be migrating to the us in months time I want to join the army I was wondering if my high school diplomah here will get me through.. to the army… I did some testson the ASVB test and it wasn't that hard just basic questions.. Anyone can give me an answer for this please thanks…
i misplaced my diploma, and getting a new one is gonna take weeks. My question is can I use my high school transcripts to join?
My son graduated in June of 2012 and at the time he graduated his school was considered a “tier 1″ (non-traditional) high school. He was already enlisted in the Army (future soldiers) with a ship date of July 3rd 2012. When he arrived at MEPS he was not able to ship off because he had road rash from a bike injury. So he was to go home and heal for 3 weeks. During this 3 weeks his contract (future soldiers) had expired-thus causing him to re-enlist. When he went to re-enlist (per the new education policy memo dated June 1, 2012) he was now told his high school diploma was no longer valid because it was a “non traditional” school and needed to retake the ASVAB and score higher. He was only able to score a 46….so now he has to attend college and obtain 15 college credits. This whole change has been very frustrating and disappointing. His school is a tier 1 currently but they consider my son a “covered graduate”. If so… then the law clearly states under (P.L. 112-81) section 532 will ensure that “covered graduates” are given the same opportunity to enlist for the purpose of recruitment and enlistment with EQUAL treatment in the U.S. Armed Forces as a “traditional” high school graduate. So Im not sure what the problem is…. maybe Im confused….if so please advise.
I’m 18 years old, I’m a Junior at an Alternative High School. I’m working on getting credits to graduate and hoping I will make enough to graduate by the of my senior year, may 2014 (I will be 19 by then) and I want to join the Army. Will I be able to enlist as a Tier 1 recruit with my alternative high school diploma if I pass the ASVB test with a 50 or higher? Also, will the Army not accept me if I had really poor grades on my transcript even though I receive a Alt. High school diploma and score well on the ASVB test??
I meant, **ASVAB TEST.
Does the Marine Corps take diplomas from private Christian schools??
Are you sure these guys with 80's and 90's are not just turning down the jobs the army has available?