I am Homeschooled and am looking to get into the Navy?

Question

I talked to my recruiter and he said there would not be any problems and I would not need a GED, or high school diploma.

However after I went in and took the EAST test? ( Not sure if thats what it was...)
and scored well above average, he is saying I'll need some proof of an education (Home school diploma??)

I'll be 19 in a few months and I thought I heard something about not needing any proof at that age?

Excuse my ignorance if I'm wrong...
I would like to serve, but I can't see why I would be discriminated at for the simple fact that I'm home schooled.

Answer 1

Home schoolers are eligible for a State diploma from the State in which they live. Qualifying home school curriculum are State recognized, and controlled by the school district where you live.
Your teacher/parent is responsible to submit all test scores and grades to the state and/or school district. Completing all educational requirements, makes you eligible for a High School diploma.

The United States Navy and other branches of service require you to have a diploma for enlistment.

Good luck !

(Home School grandpa, with a son in the Navy.)

Answer 2

First of all let me say you makin a good choice choosen the Navy. Im in the army and im tellin you the navy goes through much less B.S. than the Army. Now For any branch of the service it is required to show a 1) Birth certificate 2) Social Security Card and 3) A high school Diploma Or GED. Now I know The home school My cousins went to offered a Diploma once the required courses were complete. You should check to see if yours does. If not than alot of High Schools Offer Diplomas To Home school kids after takin a test ( at least mine did). But If none in your area offer that then your gonna need to get a GED. But like the other guy said if you can get the diploma in the long run you'll come out better but both will work fine.

Answer 3

Proof of education is a requirement. If you were home schooled there should be documentation. Without documentation of any schooling will greatly limit the jobs you can serve in. Most jobs require some sort of high school grad status and some require at least a certain grade level was completed. Either way, the amount any service can recruit from home school, GED and non-high graduates are capped at 10% of the total force. The Navy and Air Force has at times imposed tougher caps as high as 4%. The age 19 requirement is a policy for minimum age for those who have dropped from school - it has been determined that starting at that age after dropping from school or if you completed a non-traditional education you are more likely to complete at least 4 years in the Navy. Previously those who dropped from school or didn't complete a traditional program who joined at 17-18 years of age had a unexceptable drop rate from the Navy.

Retired Master Chief, prior Chief Recruiter for NRD New England, NRD Phoenix and Region West.

Answer 4

My brother was homeschooled and got a diploma after he took some tests to graduate.
He is now a Company Commander in the Coast Guard.
Check with your local school and find out where you can test to recieve a diploma.
I have a GED from 1986 and it is not considered to be as good as a diploma, go through the extra hassle and it will be worth it.

Answer 5

It is very possible that your score qualified you for one of the more advanced Naval school (nuclear program, advanced electronics) and you may need some sort of ged or other proof of education.

Answer 6

You're not being discriminated against. they just want you to prove that your home schooling was equal to a specific standard for education. Your best bet is to take the GED test to prove this and once you pass it, you can prove you meet the minimum standard.