Military Requirements for Homeschool Enlistment
Updated July 15, 2024
Q. Can homeschool graduates enlist in the military? I understand it is sometimes difficult.
A. Occasionally, homeschoolers have problems enlisting not because of discriminatory policies but because some military recruiters are unfamiliar with the Armed Forces homeschool policy. If this seems to be the case, ask the recruiter to clarify the policy with his or her superior officer and schedule a follow-up appointment.
Here are some basic requirements for a homeschool graduate (varies by branch):
- must have been homeschooled during the previous nine months;
- fulfill all regular military requirements;
- provide a copy of a high school diploma signed by a parent;
- provide a transcript compiled and signed by a parent (include transcripts from other sources);
- verify that the homeschool was legal under state law (provide a copy of NOI or RE).
The student’s score on the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) significantly impacts the choice of placement in military positions and training, and the score will follow a student throughout their whole military career. ASVAB study guides, which are comprehensive resources designed to help students prepare for the ASVAB, are widely available in bookstores and online..
The student should state that he is a homeschool graduate. It is not necessary to take a GED to join the military. A military candidate with a GED will be placed in Tier 2, while a homeschool graduate will be placed in Tier 1. A Tier 2 candidate will not be afforded the same opportunities or bonuses.
Respectfully,
Sheri Payne
Director of Leadership and Military Support
