Should HS Diplomas or GEDs not be required to enter military service?

I don't think this will be a rerun of McNamara's Folly from the 1960s. The aspect that they still have to score at least the minimum on the ASVAB is a good sign. Hell, in all my years in the Army, I have come across many a high school, and sometimes college graduates, that were dumber than a box of 3-legged tennis balls yet managed to get into the Service (all branches), be promoted and put in charge of things/people. I mean, it's not like they're going to right away be put in sensitive areas of responsibility without earning it.

As long as they get a high enough score on the ASVAB, the piece of paper is irrelevant.

I always come down to one thing. Can you do the J-O-B?

Your piece of paper tells me far less than your ASVAB. And your ASVAB tells me far less than your AIT graduation. Which tells me less than your performance once you get to your unit.

At each gateway, the servicemember must perform to at least a minimum standard. I care FAR less about the standards for the first gateway than I do about AIT and promotions standards.

I do not think it a bad idea. I did not have a High School diploma when I joined, but took and passed the GED test while in Basic. It all depends on the individual.

Survey does not touch all the right buttons. Bottom line is not all people without degrees had a choice in attending HS. Many people lose a parent or both having to feed and house younger siblings. Others are not raised in a healthy environment with parents who don't care, are druggies, and or have medical and health issues, I could go on. There already exists an evaluation that tells the military what the aptitude of an individual is. I assure you this exams do not require a degree. I have had Soldiers throughout the years ace the ASVABand not have an education. Riddle me this, does someone need HS to pass the GED. Of course not, one is considered the equivalency.

I can bet that we could find Senior Enlisted leaders/advisors, Warrant 5s and General officers who entered services without HS.

So no, I don't think it hurts our country's national defense. They should be held to certain requirements, be able to pass an aptitude, obtain their GED within there first enlistment and before selection to E5 etc. the only reason for this is to show the will and drive to meets established military standard for continued service. Not to mention personal development. For future use post military.

A high school degree or GED shows a person is able to complete given tasks. Of course, from what I have read or heard of many schools today, they don't mean much. Many graduate from high school, yet there is a high percentage of illiteracy in the graduates. So actually today, a high school diploma/GED doesn't have the meaning as it once did. So, what is the big deal to have a diploma if you can't read over 6th grade level, perform basic math, write, spell? But then this is our world today, everyone gets a "participation" trophy, you don't really need to do anything for a reward. I see it all the time on this site. Some posts are hard to figure out because of the spelling and grammar Good example: how many don't know if they should use "there, they're or their". What about "to, too, two" Should I expect that person to write an OPORD I can understand??
https://literacysmc.org/literacy-in-america/

I personally don' think iti s a good idea. A high school diploma means a couple of things to me. 1.) You have a basic education on math, science, and english...when you join those things come in handy when you are reading a map, navigating, setting fire coordinates roundevouz points...etc. Don't have time to set up an additional training for basic educational skills...need a full up round ready for training when we get you. 2.) It shows a stick to type of mentality. You didn't quit, drop out, leave becasue of discipline problems or drugs...you showed that you can finish a task...may not have graduated with honors but you graduated.

If you do accept then don't allow promotion past a certain rank until education is achieved.

Just my opinion but I think it is important to not lower standards too much...when you lower standards you get lower standards from the start!

Lt Col Charlie Brown LTC Trent Klug CMSgt Marcus Falleaf Cpl Vic Burk MSgt James Parker SMSgt Lawrence McCarter CMSgt (Join to see) Sgt (Join to see) PO1 H Gene Lawrence LTC David Brown

It's not a huge deal in my view, someone can still be competent enough for military tasks without it, generally speaking. And we do need new recruits, beggars can't be choosers.

Besides! They still have to pass basic training. And the upper brass aren't taking requirements out of basic training, right? Pfft, they would never!

I have mixed feelings about this.

I would like to think that requiring a HS diploma or GED would ensure we get recruits who know the difference between PRECEDENT and PRESIDENT, but my experience with the last decade or so of high school graduates suggests that nearly 50% are unable to read at the "6th grade reading level" despite the fact that the RGL criteria have been re-normed downward repeatedly.

A high school diploma or GED does not indicate any meaningful level of education, although the GED is actually a more strenuous requirement than most high school diplomas.

On the other hand, the diploma or GED certificate does suggest that the individual was willing to stick it out to complete the program.

As others have suggested, the ASVAB is a better indicator of the individual's ability to absorb military training.

Considering that none of the military services are in any danger of being overwhelmed by excessive numbers of volunteers, I don't have any serious objection to lowering initial enlistment standards IF we are prepared (administratively and financially) to accept a higher attrition rate during initial entry training.

I would also suggest extending the authority for administrative discharge to release soldiers who simply "don't fit" during their first year of service. Such individuals should receive a General Discharge Under Honorable Conditions without veterans benefits.

When I enlisted in 1982 they still took recruits without a HS Diploma or GED's, these guys were just got sent to Basic Skills Education Program (BSEP) before they turned them lose to BCT or OSUT. I served with a few while I was enlisted. They did their job.

Tough call. It should be considered on a case by case basis, not as a whole. I think in the military's view is the completion of high school means that you have stuck with it and maybe less likely to try to quit the military before your enlistment is up. Does that mean every person who joins that dropped out will be a quitter? Of course not. Those without a high school diploma or GED (but scored well enough on the ASVAB) should be allowed to serve. No diploma or GED, put them in a non technical position like the infantry, motor transport, etc. After they get their GED, let them take the ASVAB again to see if they qualify for a better MOS and make a lateral move to a more technical field.