Issues Library—Military
Homeschool Graduates Enlisting in the Military
Can Homeschoolers Enlist in the Military?
Yes, homeschoolers can enlist in the military as Tier 1 candidates (reserved for those who have graduated from high school or who have at least 15 college credit hours). Prior to October 1998, homeschoolers were categorized with high school dropouts and GED recipients in the Tier II category, were required to obtain a GED, and often had difficulty in receiving the placement and positions they desired. In October 1998, Congress approved a five-year pilot program, which allowed homeschoolers to be considered high school graduates and placed in Tier I. This pilot program expired on September 30, 2004. However, on January 21, 2005, the Department of Defense authorized a new policy affirming that homeschoolers could be placed in Tier I without having to take a GED. This policy was set to expire on September 30, 2011, but HSLDA is currently working with DoD officials to have it extended permanently.
Do Homeschoolers Experience any Problems Enlisting in the Military?
In most cases, no, as an increasing number of recruiters are familiar with the 2005 policy and homeschoolers. If a homeschool graduate can provide the recruiter with a copy of his or her high school diploma, official transcripts, and proof of compliance with state law on homeschooling (as well as pass the regular physical test like all enlistees), homeschoolers usually have no problem enlisting. In the few cases where recruiters are confused about the DoD’s policy towards homeschoolers, a letter from HSLDA clarifying the policy and affirming that a child has earned his or her high school diploma solves the problem.
Under no circumstances should you have your homeschool graduate obtain his or her GED, because the military will use this to automatically place your child as a Tier II enlistee.
What are the requirements for a homeschool graduate enlisting in the military?
- The graduate must have been homeschooled during the last nine months of his or her academic year. In other words, he or she can’t have dropped out of his or her homeschool program.
- The homeschool graduate must pass the ASVAB (with a 50 or above) and the AIM test.
- The homeschool graduate must provide a copy of his or her highschool diploma. (Note: a professional-looking diploma, like that provided by HSLDA, seems to most easily satisfy the recruiters).
- You must provide a high school transcript that is clear and concise. Notarization is recommended. You must also provide transcripts from other institutions attended.
- Homeschool graduates must show that they were homeschooler under their state’s laws (for example, providing a copy of their notice of intent to homeschool letters from their highschool years).
For more detailed information, see HSLDA’s article, “Enlisting Help.”
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