My 17 year old is considering getting his GED and signing up for the Navy. Do any recruiters have any advice?

Anne

He will probably not be able to get into the Navy, who are quite strict about who they accept.

Has he looked into alternative high schools? He will have many more options for training, whatever service he enters eventually, if he has a diploma and college first.

John

I'm not a recruiter, but was in the same situation as your son. I'm not sure if his struggle in school is making him want to join the Navy because he thinks he may not be able to go to college, but if that's the case, I'd suggest he re-think his situation. Not to say anything against the Navy or any other branch of the Military - we wouldn't be here without them and I have family and close friends there.

I was 17 and was going to join the Marines because I was struggling with my grades in high school. My parents suggested I try some tutoring programs to see if they would help, and they did, drastically. Because my high school GPA was low, I went to a community college first, and there was told by counselors (after telling them I wanted to get a lab tech certificate) that I wouldn't be able to get into a 4 year school due to my grades and that the jr. college would be the only degree I'd get. I studied harder than others (it took more of an effort for me) but things became easier, i learned how to test better and become more efficient with studying. I ended up making it to the 4 year university (UCSD - good school!) worked hard there, decided I could do more than the lab tech certificate and ended up getting into, and eventually, finishing my training to be a Physician Assistant.

If it's only because of the grade/studying issue he is considering the military, I think he should take some time to reconsider and maybe try some jr. college courses - the environment is alot different from high school and he may do much better there.

Opportunity wise, the military has great education as well, but it won't be any easier there, and there's the included chance of being deployed.

I wish you the best, I know it's a hard time, I experienced my parents go through it.

complicatedtallblonde

I would STRONGLY suggest he try and graduate with a diploma, a GED can work for the Navy but a diploma is more respected in every branch. I also know that if you get a GED instead of a diploma, you sometimes must score higher on the ASVAB to prove your intelligence. I'm curious as to why he wouldn't want to just get his diploma. I wasn't GREAT in school either but I finished... To be honest if you can't finish high school with a diploma because you find it too hard, you will find almost every job in the Navy too challenging.

Kat

Make him get a diploma!! Getting a GED will hinder him in the future, even just getting into the military nowadays.

Unless it is a get-out-of-town-now emergency, have him stick it out for another year.

boreduninspired

He should get his diploma, it'll make things a lot easier.

Alicia

He should definitely atleast finish highschool and get his diploma... My fiance has a GED and he was told that unless he gets 15 college credits that he cannot join. So he either has to get his diploma or gett he ged and then go to college for a semester or so.

Jc C

It's up to him, you have done all that you can up to this point. He might be making the right decision or the worst decision but everything happens for a reason, good or bad.

uscg_recruiter

I'm a recruiter for the Coast Guard.

My advice is always - keep your butt in school and get a diploma!!!

A GED is not the equivalent!!!!

The Coast Guard, the Navy, and all the rest will still be there.

sgtadams2004

Not sure about the Navy but in the Army, many recruiters are NOT taking GED holders at all anymore. The economy is bad enough that they are now being choosy with who they put in. (Well, three Army recruiting stations that I know are.)

A GED will limit your job choices and make things difficult. Have him stick with it, you don't need good grades you just need a Diploma.

However . . . if he does get a GED great. There is a recruiter SOMEWHERE that needs to make mission and will put him in. No problem. Its just that a GED nowadays will hinder job choices. But then, I don't even know if the Navy even lets you choose your job. In fact. . . what the hell does the navy do anyway? Other than the Seabees?

I need to get out more.

charles.young580

I entered the army when i was 18. It was enlist or be drafted. I spent 20 years in the army and can say that even though i served in two wars i never regretted a day. The military made me a man and gave me a career.

rbs

You can have your GED. He will need your permission though (since he is not 18). Military is always a good choice, it teaches discipline, and all military branches have many jobs that your 17 could be good at. If that is his dream, you should support him all the way.

Go talk to a recruiter with him. Wouldn't do any harm, and you might be able to get more info.

dizzy_up13

I joined the Navy with a GED back in December and the only reason MEPS let me join was because I scored high on the ASVAB... but it took a lot of work on my recruiter's end.

Right now, all the recruiters Ive talked to say that the Navy is no longer accepting people with GEDs due to the Navy being so over-manned... But with a good ASVAB score, who knows?

joobanga

If he can score well in the ASVAB, i'm sure it wouldn't matter, and if this is what he want's to do, let him pursue his dreams. Im sure it will pay off in the future.

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