Victor Epand asked: Here is a third party opinion about getting into the navy: “I don’t have a high school diploma unfortunately, only a GED. I’ve attended college a year as well; I really want to join the Navy because I think it’ll help me become a better person in some ways. I’d like to signup and join ASAP. I’m also a thin guy, I haven’t really worked out in a while but I know I can do at least 30 proper pushups and am real flexible when it comes to the sit and reach, running maybe a problem though. Getting in with only a GED opens and closes sometimes. You would need 15 college credits to be able to join because of your GED. Sometimes you can get in with a GED if you score a 50 on the ASVAB. It depends on where the window is.”
“As long as that year worth of college consists of 100 levels or higher courses (and you passed them). That elevates your GED to the same level as a HS diploma. But you still have to meet all the other requirements. Have you taken the ASVAB yet? If you hadn’t tried to continue your education the Navy wouldn’t even look at you. With those college credits it shows people you realized you needed to do more and did it. They work for you, not label you in a negative way. The only one who could do that is you.”
“How do I know? I went in with no high school diploma and got my GED and went on to college. The Navy helped me grow up. Now its your turn to grow a bit so do it. In my experience it wasn’t that bad, and I didn’t even have a GED. It just meant a few more hand written statements, and a few extra phone calls while at the MEPS. Guys they doing things different know. I had no college, no HS diploma, and no GED. They still let me in. I told them I could turn a wrench. Only stipulation was to get a 50 or higher on the ASVAB.”
“I don’t know how many credits I have I had to take a break from school to work and been gone a month or so. I just don’t want that to be my only ticket in because I maybe short credits and if that’s the case I don’t know when I’ll be able to go back to school. I know I need to grownup and I’m sure the Navy will help with that, that’s partly why I want to join. Hopefully I’ll get a hold of the local recruiter soon, but from your experience how fast can someone get in and to boot camp?”
“Without a high School diploma things are not good, but not altogether terrible either. Much depends on, first the branch of military and how bad they need live bodies. The Chair Force is probably not an option since they are so clean and shiny that Mother Cabrini would have a hard time proving herself worthy.”
“The Navy Recruiter told me before Christmas that it was possible, at that point, now I am not sure. The Army seems likely to accept GED’s much more often. The Marines as of last week in “my area” Oklahoma City were not, of course that could change. In a short time the services might be begging people to join, one never knows. When I went in as long as you were walking upright and not too stoned or drunk they sent you to boot camp, with little or no information and no guidance or plan.”
“Go talk to the office and explain yourself and your situation, prove that you are capable of walking upright and mean business. After all, he does not know who you are without seeing you in person. Don’t take offense at this, but when you go to the office, dress as if you are applying for the first REAL job you have ever had, be professional.”
Getting In Shape For The Marines
