Expert: Rod Powers - 11/12/2009

Question
hey, my name is josh, healthy 19 yearold, full time truck mechanic with a G.E.D  I have a couple cavities in some teeth and was wondering what are the standards for that kind of stuff before you join the marine core. what is the exceptances and what wont make you eligible. I already know about the 15 college credits before you join the marine core if you have a G.E.D but is there a simpler way to join with a G.E.D in present day without going back to school. Im almost done with my first semester in college but id like to go now.  answers?

Answer
Hi Joshua,

The cavities won't be a problem. Your teeth would have to be in *really* bad shape to result in medical denial of enlistment.

Here's the thing about GEDs. When the services are having a hard time meeting their recruiting goals, they generally accept GEDs. When they can make their recruiting goals without accepting GEDs, they happily do so.

Two years ago, the Army allowed around 20 percent of their enlistments to be GED-holders. Last year, they allowed only around 7 percent (and zero percent for the last six months of the fiscal year).

Last year, the Marines only allowed around 5 percent of their total enlistments to have a GED, and all of those folks scored an 85 or higher on the ASVAB.

Why does the military do this? Because they have years and years of studies which show that people with a high school diploma, or at least 15 college credits are about three times as likely to make it through their first enlistment contract, than those with GEDs.

For more information about the United States Military, feel free to visit my US Military information site at: http://usmilitary.about.com

Hope this helps!

Rod Powers
About.com US Military Guide
http://usmilitary.about.com