Expert: Matt - 5/21/2009

Question
I'm asking this for the daughter of a friend. She enlisted into the Navy back in January at 17 (with parental consent, of course). It was a deferred enlistment, she needed only to graduate from high school and would be leaving for boot camp in August. She has failed to graduate, lacking only an English class (this is not due to ability but rather "I'm 18 and you can't make me go to school if I don't want to go" mentality). We are curious as to what happens now. Will they take her with a GED? Will they release her from her commitment? I assume that there is SOME way this is handled but we don't know what it is....do you?

Answer
To the best of my knowledge a GED is acceptable. However, I do not know if she will have time to complete the GED before her august ship date. I am certain that every service requires either a HS degree or some form of equivalency (ie a GED) so unless she gets one or the other then it would seem she cannot enlist and go to boot camp. The Navy might have some sort of equivalency program that they use in special cases like this - however the only true way to know is to contact her recruiter and be honest with him/her about your friend's daughter's situation. Best of luck.