How to Join the Military Without a Diploma or a GED

In an education focused society, it is difficult to do anything without a high school diploma. Sometimes young people feel they cannot handle high school, or find themselves in a tough crowd and drop out of school. The military is high on education and requires at least a high school diploma or a GED to enlist. If you have dropped out of high school, are between the ages of 16 and 18, and are considering joining the army, they may be able to help through the National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

Things You'll Need

• Computer with Internet
• travel means (car, bus, train, etc.)

Instructions

1. Make sure you are eligible for the program. You must be a high school dropout or have been expelled. You must be unemployed. You must be a legal resident of the United States. You must not be convicted of any felonies, on parole, serving or awaiting jail time. You must be drug free.

2. Go to http://www.ngycp.org. Read about the program. The program is designed to help you finish your education and become eligible to join the Army. Upon joining the program, you will enter the pre-challenge phase. This is a two-week period that helps you adjust to the ways of the program. After this is the 20-week residential phase where you will attend classes to earn your GED. It is also designed to build self-confidence and life skills. When you have completed the 20-week residential phase, you will begin to join your community, move on to higher education or join the military.

3. Go the "ChalleNGe Near You" section (http://www.ngycp.org/site/node/67) for a map of all the states that have participating programs. If your state does not have a program and you are serious about joining, the program is residential whether you live in the state or not, so you will live at a Youth Challenge Program site.

4. Visit a site near you. The actual site of the program is where you will obtain all the information you need to join.

5. Tell them you are interested in joining the program. They will give you all of the information you need to apply to the program. The people working at the program want to help you achieve your goals.

6. Once you have completed the program, you will be able to join the military.

References

• National Guard Youth Challange Program
• http://www.army.com