Expert: Aaron Shifferly - 5/27/2009

Question
I was on army.com and noticed that they did not take a regular GED as a high school equivalent. Yet I hear how everyone gets a GED and outside of the Army and joins and nothing really happens to them. Could you shine a little light on this for me?  

Answer
Basically there is a separate category for GED holders; they don't count like high school diplomas and they aren't as preferred as diplomas.  This isn't to say you won't get in, just that you have to see where their numbers are for GED holders for this fiscal year.  (The Army's year runs from 1 October until 30 September annually.)  So the worst that will happen is that you have to wait until the beginning of next fiscal year to enlist. It won't cost you anything in terms of rank and such once you enlist .. you'll promote as fast as all other personnel at your grade (assuming good performance and such).  Hope this helps.. if not, please shoot me another mail.