A high school diploma is the preferred standard for enlisting in the U.S. Military, but the General Educational Development (GED) certificate is generally accepted with additional requirements. The Department of Defense classifies applicants based on their educational background to predict the likelihood of completing their first term of service. A traditional high school diploma places a candidate into the Tier I category, while a GED is considered a Tier II credential. This classification system influences a recruit’s eligibility, job options, and the overall competitiveness of their application.
The Standard Educational Requirement
A high school diploma is the education standard across all branches, including the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard, and Space Force. This credential is the benchmark for a Tier I applicant, which the military prefers for its enlisted ranks. The preference for diploma holders is based on data indicating that these recruits have significantly higher retention rates. The diploma signals a consistent record of completing a long-term commitment, an attribute the military values in new recruits.
How the Military Views the GED Equivalent
The General Educational Development (GED) certificate is recognized by the military as a high school equivalent, but it automatically places the applicant into the Tier II classification. This tier system exists because data shows that individuals with alternative credentials, like a GED, have higher first-term attrition rates compared to high school graduates. Although the GED demonstrates academic competency, it is not treated identically to a diploma in the enlistment process. Tier I candidates receive priority access to enlistment slots and job opportunities. A Tier II candidate can upgrade their status to Tier I by obtaining 15 or more college semester hours from an accredited institution.
Limitations of Joining with Only a GED
Tier II applicants face strict annual quotas that significantly limit their chances of immediate enlistment. The Department of Defense limits the number of GED holders accepted each year, typically capping them at between 5 and 10% of the total annual enlistments for each service. This small percentage often results in longer wait times for an available slot. For example, the Air Force and Space Force have the strictest limits, often accepting less than 1% of their annual recruits as Tier II.
The Tier II classification affects the range of military occupational specialties (MOS) available to the recruit. Many technical, sensitive, or high-demand jobs are reserved exclusively for Tier I applicants. Tier II candidates may find themselves restricted to a narrower selection of jobs, regardless of their aptitude test scores. Entry into any officer program is typically inaccessible for a GED holder, as commissioning programs require a bachelor’s degree from a four-year college or university.
Waivers and Rare Exceptions
The military does have a Tier III category for applicants who possess neither a high school diploma nor a GED, but waivers for these individuals are rare. The services grant these exceptions only under specific, high-need circumstances, typically to applicants who demonstrate exceptional aptitude. In 2022, the Army briefly suspended its educational requirement entirely to address recruiting shortages. This rare exception was only available to non-graduates who achieved an extremely high score on the entrance exam. The program was quickly suspended, reinforcing the military’s commitment to the high school diploma or equivalent standard.
The ASVAB Score
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is a mandatory test for all enlisted applicants, and the resulting Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT) score is critical for GED holders. For a high school diploma holder, the minimum AFQT score required for enlistment is often 31, though some branches set their minimum slightly higher (e.g., the Navy at 35 or the Air Force at 36).
Tier II applicants are required to achieve a significantly higher score to compensate for the GED credential. The standard minimum AFQT score for a GED holder is 50 across most branches, and the Air Force may require a score as high as 65. The ASVAB is both an eligibility filter and a determinant for job placement. The scores from its individual subtests create composite scores that are used to qualify a recruit for specific technical or administrative jobs. A high score is paramount for a GED holder, as it is often the only factor that allows them to compete for limited Tier II slots and access desirable career fields.
Other Core Eligibility Requirements
While education is a primary requirement, several other standards must be met by all applicants. Age limits vary by branch: the Marine Corps has the strictest maximum age of 28, while the Army allows enlistment up to age 35, and other branches generally permit enlistment up to age 41 or 42. Applicants must be either a United States citizen or a Legal Permanent Resident.
The enlistment process includes a comprehensive moral standards review involving thorough background checks. A single felony conviction is generally disqualifying, and multiple misdemeanors often require a moral waiver. All candidates must also meet rigorous physical and medical standards, assessed during a medical examination at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).