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Index
Military
Can a student who was homeschooled through high school have a successful career in the armed forces? Is he allowed to enlist on an equal footing with traditionally schooled graduates? Can she become an officer? Are these students prepared to serve their country with honor and distinction? The answer to all these questions is yes—but do your homework. Military policy doesn't always recognize the clear evidence of homeschooling's success. If your child wants to join the military, do plenty of research so that you know all of the options open to him and he is prepared to demonstrate his aptitude to recruiters. For more information refer to the March 2007 Homeschooling Thru High School email newsletter: “The Military’s Homeschool Policy.”.
Academic Preparation
Your high schooler's academic preparation will depend on the type of military career he plans to pursue. The academic requirements for an enlisted man are different from those for a service academy applicant. Participation in JROTC may be advisable. In addition, the service academies seek well-rounded individuals who have participated in community service, and students applying to be officers must exhibit leadership ability.
Detailed information on entrance requirements for service academies.
Find out the academic requirements for enlistment in the armed forces.
How one homeschool grad aimed for the Air Force Academy.
Homeschooling helped this young man succeed.
Military Academy High School Camps
Military academies offer summer sessions to high school juniors (prior to their senior year) who may be considering a military career. Each service academy has its own application requirements, deadlines, etc.:
Recruitment
Current military policy requires homeschool graduates to be treated just like any other high school grad. In January, 2006 President Bush signed into law the National Defense Authorization Act that requires all four branches of the Armed Forces to institute a uniform recruitment policy for homeschool graduates that included an exemption for homeschool graduates from any requirement to have a secondary school diploma or a GED (which suggests the student dropped out of high school). However, sometimes receiving fair treatment still comes down to case-by-case interaction with individual recruiters. For homeschool grads who have already taken one or more semesters of college, high school status should not be an issue at all.
HSLDA members who encounter discrimination in the enlistment process should contact our legal department immediately to resolve the problem.
The U.S. Marine Corps has joined the U.S. Army in actively pursing homeschooled students.
There is more good news for homeschool graduates seeking to enlist in the Armed Services.
Understand the military's tier system and how it has affected homeschoolers.
A basic history of homeschoolers and the military.
HSLDA President Mike Smith recaps the most recent developments in military policy regarding homeschoolers.
HSLDA has been working with the military for several years to remove discriminatory barriers for homeschool graduates. As a result, many homeschoolers are serving our country faithfully in the armed services.
Effective immediately, most homeschoolers enlisting in the military will be considered Tier 1*. HSLDA recently received this news from the Deputy Director of Accession Policy in the Pentagon, Captain Christopher Arendt, USN.
Choosing the right path
Joining the military requires careful consideration of the many options available to your son or daughter. Your student must decide if he wants to enlist or become an officer, whether to obtain a college degree, how long he wants to serve, which branch he plans to enter, and whether he wants to join the reserves. Gather as much information as possible before making any firm decisions—and be sure to talk to as many people as you can who are in or have been in the military. They are your best source of military career advice!
Prior to military enlistment, you may want to provide your teen with the opportunity for further training in discipline, character, and response skills.
The following sites can help answer questions you may have about military careers, the various branches, and how to talk to a recruiter. The sites also contain information especially for parents and advisors.
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