[email protected]

Hi all -

My 16, almost 17 year old son has his heart on a military career. He went
to visit a Marine Recruiter today, and was told that you cannot enter the
Marines with a GED...only a high school diploma. I KNOW I've heard differently
through the years, but we are not members of HSLDA so I can't ask them. Does
anyone know about this? Thanks

Nancy B.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Sylvia Toyama

I don't know what state you're in, but some states issue a High School Diploma for those completing the GED test. For all intents and purposes -- even military service -- it's identical to one granted by any high school.

You might also check your state's homeschooling laws to see what is required to draft your own high school diploma, or if your son could receive one thru an umbrella school.

Another option would be for him to try college first -- many community colleges will accept anyone age 18, without even asking for a HS diploma. After a couple of years, students can transfer to a 4yr college, or just receive an AA at the comm. college. Once you can produce a college degree of some sort, a hs diploma isn't an issue. It would also give him a few years to explore his talents, interests and skills, making him potentially more valuable to the Marine Corps. Such a path might keep him out of the current war, altho it's looking like it may well outlast the average college stay.

Sylvia



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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

queenjane555

--- In [email protected], CelticFrau@a... wrote:
>
> Hi all -
>
> My 16, almost 17 year old son has his heart on a military
career. He went
> to visit a Marine Recruiter today, and was told that you cannot
enter the
> Marines with a GED...only a high school diploma.

I fished around a little bit on the internet, and found this:
****************************************************
From the official marines website, marines.com:
"I have my GED. Can I be a Marine?"

GEDs are accepted in certain circumstances. You need to talk to your
recruiter about eligibility requirements for the Marines.
*************************************************************


I also found this post, on a website called grunt.com
(http://www.grunt.com/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=6499), a
post by a mom who goes into a little more detail, here's an excerpt:

***********************************************************
"While he was testing they told me that they have three tiers - Tier
1 is a traditional high school graduate, tier 2 is a non traditional
high school grad (i.e. Homeschooler or GED recipient etc...) and the
third tier is a drop out and they don't want them. They take very
few young men from tier 2 - I think he said only two percent or
something ridiculously low like that. Once a tier two has 15 college
credits they considder them on the same level as a tier one, so
Michael is now a tier 1. Once they get 27 college credits they can
enlist at the same rank and pay scale as a young man with an AA or
AS Degree"
******************************************************************

I don't know if this is accurate info or not, but sounds pretty
plausible to me. If the above info is correct, your son just has to
get 15 college credits in order to be considered the same as a HS
graduate...thats about one semester of college, give or take a few
credits.


Katherine

[email protected]

_http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/asvabminimum.htm_
(http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/genjoin/a/asvabminimum.htm)


Education - As with the Army and Air Force, those without a high school
education are ineligible. The Marine Corps limits GED enlistments to no more than
five percent per year. Those with a GED must score a minimum of 50 on the
AFQT to even be considered.
~~~

Whether that is up to date or not, I don't know. But it's something. I
guess if he waited until the beginning of the year, he might get into that 5%.
I can't imagine a recruiter turning away anyone who is interested at this
point; recruiting rates are pretty low.

Karen



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

mamaaj2000

--- In [email protected], tuckervill2@a... wrote:

> I can't imagine a recruiter turning away anyone who is interested
at this
> point; recruiting rates are pretty low.

No, that's not true.

http://www.washingtontimes.com/national/20040930-122138-5753r.htm

Only the Nat'l Guard isn't meeting their recruiting goals. Maybe
Nat'l Guard service while taking college classes is an avenue to
explore...

--aj

wifetovegman2002

Why not just graduate him from your homeschool?

Have him do whatever you want to qualify for "graduation", issue him
a diploma (www.homeschooldiploma.com) and he is done.

My nephew graduated by taking the 12th grade CAT test, and scoring
well enough that his parents were satisfied and declared him
graduated at age 17.

~Susan (wifetovegman)

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/21/2004 7:57:57 PM Mountain Standard Time,
wifetovegman2002@... writes:
Why not just graduate him from your homeschool?
===========

A high school diploma from an accredited high school is more than a piece of
paper.
If the Marines will take high school diplomas from NON-accredited high
schools, then that's a possibility.

Sandra


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/21/2004 5:04:57 PM Mountain Standard Time,
queenjane555@... writes:
Once a tier two has 15 college
credits they considder them on the same level as a tier one, so
Michael is now a tier 1. Once they get 27 college credits they can
enlist at the same rank and pay scale as a young man with an AA or
AS Degree"
=============

"Some college" always trumps "high school diploma."
This is a good alternative. Maybe he'll find something at college that
appeals to him more than the marines, and if he doesn't, then the parents know he
really wants to pursue that, but it being a bad season to be a marine, I think
a year of college might be a great requirement to press.

Sandra


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/21/2004 4:31:45 PM Mountain Standard Time,
sylgt04@... writes:
I don't know what state you're in, but some states issue a High School
Diploma for those completing the GED test. For all intents and purposes -- even
military service -- it's identical to one granted by any high school.
-----------

In New Mexico it's that way at first, if it's taken young. But I think if
one waits a while they get a different paper. I don't know the ages or
cut-offs, but I've seen a couple that other homeschoolers got and it looks just like
and says "High School Diploma" but lists the state board of education or some
state agency as the issuing "school."

I've heard that after a while, for adults, they just get the same old "GED
certificate."

Sandra


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

pam sorooshian

On Dec 21, 2004, at 2:52 PM, CelticFrau@... wrote:

> My 16, almost 17 year old son has his heart on a military career. He
> went
> to visit a Marine Recruiter today, and was told that you cannot enter
> the
> Marines with a GED...only a high school diploma. I KNOW I've heard
> differently
> through the years, but we are not members of HSLDA so I can't ask
> them. Does
> anyone know about this? Thanks

Each service can determine their own recruitment rule about this -- but
a GED does put him in what they call "Tier 2" as opposed to Tier 1
which is a traditional high school diploma. Some recruiters will take
Tier 2 and some won't - depends, apparently, on the service and on how
their recruiting is going. For about 5 years they did away with this
distinction and accepted a GED just like a high school diploman, then
did an analysis of the attrition rates of those with just a GED
compared to those with a diploma. Those with just GED's had a
significantly higher attrition rate and therefore are not as desired as
recruits. He can get into Tier 1, even without a traditional high
school diploma, by taking 15 or more units of college work. That's the
easiest thing to do.

There is information here <http://www.ed.gov/pubs/GED/gedusaf.html> on
the 5-year study.

-pam

pam sorooshian

On Dec 21, 2004, at 3:29 PM, Sylvia Toyama wrote:

> Another option would be for him to try college first -- many community
> colleges will accept anyone age 18, without even asking for a HS
> diploma.

Many community colleges (and other colleges) will accept students
younger than 18, without a high school diploma, as special admit
students - to take a class or two. My youngest daughter has just
followed in her sister's footsteps by signing up for her first college
courses at 13 years old - both music classes. It took some effort to
get all the permissions that she needed - a counselor's approval, the
fine art dean's approval, the vice president of academic affairs, and
then applying to the college and getting registered, but she's in.


> After a couple of years, students can transfer to a 4yr college, or
> just receive an AA at the comm. college.

They don't even need the degree, they only need 15 units of college to
be moved into "Tier 1" for recruitment purposes - the top tier. Fifteen
units is typically 5 courses - of the usual academic type courses like
English, history, economics, psychology, etc. Foreign language and math
courses are often as many as 5 units each -- 3 semesters of college
Spanish class would, for example, get him moved to Tier 1. Fine arts
classes and PE classes are usually 1 to 3 units - so it would take more
classes to qualify.

-pam

>

[email protected]

In a message dated 12/22/2004 12:43:59 PM Eastern Standard Time,
pamsoroosh@... writes:

>>Those with just GED's had a
significantly higher attrition rate and therefore are not as desired as
recruits. He can get into Tier 1, even without a traditional high
school diploma, by taking 15 or more units of college work. That's the
easiest thing to do.<<
*********************************
THis is probably what he'll do. He's not happy about it, because he has no
desire to go to college, but it may end up being a blessing in disguise.
Maybe he'll see college isn't so bad, and go ahead and get a degree before
entering the military. Then he'd go in as an officer and his pay would double.
When my husband was in the military he was always an E4 or below, and it's
tough making it on that pay without a second income.

Nancy B.


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

wifetovegman2002

--- In [email protected], SandraDodd@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 12/21/2004 7:57:57 PM Mountain Standard Time,
> wifetovegman2002@y... writes:
> Why not just graduate him from your homeschool?
> ===========
>
> A high school diploma from an accredited high school is more than
a piece of
> paper.
> If the Marines will take high school diplomas from NON-accredited
high
> schools, then that's a possibility.
>
> Sandra


I would think there could be a case for it since if the family is
legally homeschooling in their state, they have met whatever
requirements are set by the state for that.

The Marines and the Air Force are quite tough about admitting
homeschoolers though. :-/

Nisha

No way would I want anyone I knew to go into the guard or reserves
at this point. Used to, it meant you weren't likely to be deployed,
the way it is now, it means you are MORE likely than active duty to
be deployed for a long time. (Many of the guard and reserve units
are going for 2 years, active duty is going for about a year.)
I'd try for delayed entry, or something similar if that is even
still an option.
You have more benefits and options as an active duty service member
than you do as a reservist or guard. The active duty troops seem to
be getting more of the stuff they need than the Res and Guard units.
Not right, but seems to be the reality.

ALso, if he comes in with some college, even a two year degree or a
certain number of hours, he will gain rank much faster than if he
doesn't.
Nisha
--- In [email protected], "mamaaj2000"
<mamaaj2000@y...> wrote:
> Only the Nat'l Guard isn't meeting their recruiting goals. Maybe
> Nat'l Guard service while taking college classes is an avenue to
> explore...
>
> --aj

Elizabeth Roberts

Well, most Coast Guard units aren't deployed overseas.
Those that are are mostly either TacLet (Tactical Law
Enforcement Team) or reservists who are Port
Securitymen (a ranking only for reservists). I know we
do have a few cutters escorting Navy vessels, but
compared to the entire Coast Guard it's not that many.

The Coast Guard would certainly be a way to serve
without quite so much risk of being involved firsthand
in frontline duty. However, it does have it's own
risks.

If the person in question would like to know more, I'd
be happy to answer what I can, and have my husband
answer anything else!

Elizabeth

--- Nisha <nishamartin@...> wrote:

>
>
>
> No way would I want anyone I knew to go into the
> guard or reserves
> at this point. Used to, it meant you weren't likely
> to be deployed,
> the way it is now, it means you are MORE likely than
> active duty to
> be deployed for a long time. (Many of the guard and
> reserve units
> are going for 2 years, active duty is going for
> about a year.)
> I'd try for delayed entry, or something similar if
> that is even
> still an option.
> You have more benefits and options as an active duty
> service member
> than you do as a reservist or guard. The active duty
> troops seem to
> be getting more of the stuff they need than the Res
> and Guard units.
> Not right, but seems to be the reality.
>
> ALso, if he comes in with some college, even a two
> year degree or a
> certain number of hours, he will gain rank much
> faster than if he
> doesn't.
> Nisha
> --- In [email protected],
> "mamaaj2000"
> <mamaaj2000@y...> wrote:
> > Only the Nat'l Guard isn't meeting their
> recruiting goals. Maybe
> > Nat'l Guard service while taking college classes
> is an avenue to
> > explore...
> >
> > --aj
>
>
>
>
>
>
>


=====
Elizabeth
Http://rainbowacademy.blogspot.com



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queenjane555

> No way would I want anyone I knew to go into the guard or reserves
> at this point. Used to, it meant you weren't likely to be
deployed,
> the way it is now, it means you are MORE likely than active duty
to
> be deployed for a long time. (Many of the guard and reserve units
> are going for 2 years, active duty is going for about a year.)

Tell me about it. My 50 yr old brother joined the National Guard in
July to make some extra money. He'd been in the Vietnam War, was a
career marine for 20 yrs, i'm not sure what he was thinking. He is
now in Kosovo, for at least a year. He's newly married, to a woman
with two small children.

OTOH, my nephew joined the Navy and is now living his dream of
living in Japan, eating sushi all the time, and has a Japanese
girlfriend.


Katherine

Sylvia Toyama

Does the Coast Guard have longer enlistment contracts than the other branches? I remember a guy in high school who signed up for the CG and it was a 6yr term vs. the 2 or 4 yr terms the other guys did in the Army or Marines. It was also in Antarctica -- no risk of war there, but 6 years is a long time to be cold! <g>

Also, there's the Merchant Marines. I don't know much about them, but my brother tried to talk my oldest son into the MM when he was considering the Marine Corps, on the premise that the MM isn't about wartime service and he thought had less risk of being killed in action. Thankfully, the whole Marine thing blew over.

Sylvia

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Elizabeth Roberts

I believe initial enlistments are still 4 years, but
my husband's last re-up was for 6. I don't recall if
there is a 6 year option for a initial enlistment
anymore..I joined up 10 years ago! LOL funny you
mention Antarctica..I had really wanted duty on the
Polar Star or Polar Sea so I could go there (they
alternate years) but the week I graduated boot camp,
they didn't have any openings, yet two companies back
sent 6 people to the Star! Oh well, I suppose I'm not
meant to go to Antarctica just yet. Maybe someday!

Elizabeth

--- Sylvia Toyama <sylgt04@...> wrote:

> Does the Coast Guard have longer enlistment
> contracts than the other branches? I remember a guy
> in high school who signed up for the CG and it was a
> 6yr term vs. the 2 or 4 yr terms the other guys did
> in the Army or Marines. It was also in Antarctica
> -- no risk of war there, but 6 years is a long time
> to be cold! <g>
>
> Also, there's the Merchant Marines. I don't know
> much about them, but my brother tried to talk my
> oldest son into the MM when he was considering the
> Marine Corps, on the premise that the MM isn't about
> wartime service and he thought had less risk of
> being killed in action. Thankfully, the whole
> Marine thing blew over.
>
> Sylvia
>
> __________________________________________________
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> Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam
> protection around
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>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been
> removed]
>
>


=====
Elizabeth
Http://rainbowacademy.blogspot.com



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