I'm 24 and Joining the Navy (Active Duty with my GED)?

Question

I was wondering if I'm too old for this. I was in JROTC in Highschool (2 years), and in the Naval Reserve ( less than a year).

And what are the cons of going active duty with a GED? I scored 72 on ASVAB, and my recruiter told me that I'm somewhat smarter that people that graduated high school.

note: I dropped out of high school due to family issues.

Answer 1

My youngest brother joined the Air force and didn't get his GED, until after he joined up. He was a power plant specialist in Taiwan.

After he served his time they helped pay for his schooling and became an Engineer at a Power Plant in the north east and eventually became one of the Vice Presidents.

It was about 1965? . . . .I was disappointed because he quit school and joined when he was 16, he too had a high IQ.

Now I'm very proud of what he accomplished on his own.

He bought a very nice home with his G I loan.

Find out the particulars of how it works now.

"Good Luck" I'm proud of you.

Answer 2

Your pretty much being told straight across the board no issue w/ a GED and going in. Which is true.
My husband has his GED and I won't call them family issues he's an Army brat who traveled around and the last school they landed at in California was just not a good place and he would pretty much walk in the front door and walk out the back so my father in law said if your not going to go to high school then your going to get a job and get your GED. Which he did. My husband ended up going into the Job Corp and completing with his carpenters certificate and started working as what sounded more like a laborer then an apprentice but he didn't enjoy his job and ended up looking into the military. He was just about your age when he went in the Navy as a turbine engine mechanic. He did his 4 years and wanted to go back in but this was pre- 9/11 and was told they would drop him in rank to go back in and basically he would have to get divorced (I just think the recruiter was smarter then my husband was because his now ex-wife is a few fry's short of a happy meal!)
None the less he talked to the Air Force and Army and ended up going Army. They asked him what he wanted to do he said pretty much anything but be a mechanic again.
So, He does communications now. And he hits year 12 this month.
And as for anyone going in especially with a high ASVAB score and can probably do a lot of jobs offered look for a good bonus. I know the Army's got some fat ones. No idea what the Navy has to offer (and I hope your not choosing Navy to avoid seeing sand. I have a cousin by marriage who did 12 months in Afghanistan with the NARMY she's in the Navy Reserve and ended up doing supplies and I have a really good friend who has been teaching out in VA who just told me last week he leaves for Iraq in March time frame)
I know that the Army currently has a bonus that is based on a few years active you choose between like 12-36 months then the rest of your time is reserves but the bonus is in the mid to high 5 figures.
Oh and as for being a whole whopping 24 your still a baby especially since in some area's of service enlistment age as bumped up to I believe 38! Some people are almost due to get about by that age!

But no matter your decision.. Good luck!

Answer 3

Zach, I'm not sure what Navy you joined, but as a former Navy man I expected the same thing then I found myself in a short handed military where I got the chance to use an M16 in combat. It was the quickest session of learning how unjam an M16 I've ever had. To answer the question, the Navy was great. If I could do it again, I would join the Navy again. I saw alot in 17 years.

Answer 4

There aren't any cons to going with a GED, it's just a qualifier, like the ASVAB. These help determine what kind of things you'd be good at doing. You might not be a nuclear engineer working on a submarine(did you want to be a "bubblehead"?), You might be a great machinist, or gunner's mate, or storekeeper or signalman, or who knows? You'll have opportunity, and that's great. The aviation rates are very good to get into, but you'll want to weigh each against ability to advance.

Ask your recruiter what sort of "A" school you qualify for, particularly those that will have you coming out as an E-4. My concern is you winding up the oldest unrated striker at your duty station, and getting jacked around by 20 year old BM3s. I have a great friend that was an older guy like you, and he had a lot of advantages over the younger guys - he'd been around the block a couple of times, so he was comfortable working the system and being calm when things rolled downhill.

Answer 5

I dropped out of high school and joined the Army in the 70's. I got a GED in boot camp and later the Army let me attend high school classes on duty time so I could get a HS diploma. After getting out of the Army I tried to join the Navy and got a 92 on the ASVAB but was turned down for my blood pressure. The educational opportunities are unlimited in the service. Join up and then get all of the education you want. Good luck!

Answer 6

the GED does limit you, even if you do otherwise qualify ASVAB score -wise, there will be some ratings closed to you simply because you do not have a HS diploma. You also probably will not be offered any bonuses, although any SRBs in the future are definitely doable.

BTW..my husband went in at 28. You aren't too old, and in fact have some advantages. you have matured(hopefully, at least) and the RDCs will look to you to be a leader. You will be a good example to the youngsters who think it's all fun and games, you can mentor and encourage the lost ones and you can use your maturity to score some perks like being one of the Recruit Petty Officers( my spouse was the YN and did all the paperwork for his Division)

Answer 7

I didn't even have a GED and the Navy took me in, i was even on probation for getting busted with a valium, they grant waivers for just about anything these days. Good ASVAB scores do help. I think the only thing they can't do a waiver for anymore is age , you must be able to complete 20 years of active duty before your turn 60 years of age if you are prior service. Back when I enlisted in 1980 all you had to have was a pulse

Answer 8

Nope not to old at all. 72 on your asvab is wonderful that means you scored 72% higher than everyone else who takes the test. Your GED is just as good as your high school diploma. I had to get mine due to family issues as well, that wont be a problem in your serving active, My husband is Air Force and has plenty of friends who have theirs, congrats and good luck : )

Answer 9

your fine my brother graduated high school and joined the air force at 24 after working as a civilian. my hubby has a GED and is doing well in the navy

Answer 10

No your fine, And Congratulations!