@Fightingfan said:
@ad1x2 said:
In theory, a GED is supposed to be the same as a high school diploma. However, when it comes down to it not all theories are the same and GED holders are legally discriminated against in many ways. Some colleges flat out will not accept a GED holder no matter how well you scored on the test. The military frequently rejects GED holders who don't have at least a semester of college and the few times they do accept an applicant with a GED they frequently offer them less options for training or less waivers.
There are people who look at GED holders as quitters because they failed to finish high school, usually not taking into consideration the reason they dropped out (pregnancy, major problems at home, etc, not all GED holders were too lazy or dumb to graduate). In many cases those shortcomings can be overcame by successfully going to college for a little while. For example, a GED holder who then spends a year or two in community college may be able to transfer to school that won't accept a GED alone if their grades are good enough.
The GED was originally made in the 1940s so military veterans could get an equivalent to a high school diploma after returning from war and use it to move on to further schooling or jobs and be successful in civilian life. Ironically, over 70 years later they are a big discriminator of GED holders.
I believe to join the military with a GED you're REQUIRED to have a minimum of 15 college credits (Might vary depending on faction/branch).
Even with 15 college credit you're education is equivalent to a high school kid, according to uncle sam.
Regarding the thread; most jobs won't look at your GED/High school diploma if your education/skills exceed a GED/high school diploma.
"College jobs" probably don't even care.
The 15 semester hour requirement (some people get confused since if you just say credits they may come up to you with 15 clock hours or something similar that isn't the same) isn't required all of the time. It depends on the needs of the military; each branch is authorized a certain percentage of GED holders without the credit. The Army, for example took GEDs for almost a year straight in 2011 while not taking any at all the previous year.
In terms of accessions of total troops for each fiscal year, the Air Force is allowed one percent of them to be made of GED holders and the Army is allowed ten percent. The branch is free to take less than what they are allowed, which is frequently happening right now with the drawdown in place.
As for the military considering your education the same as a kid in high school, that isn't entirely true. According to studies the military did a person with a "Tier 2" education (Tier 1 is a high school diploma/high school senior on track to graduate or better, Tier 2 is a GED or high school certificate of completion, and Tier 3 is a dropout with nothing at all) is more likely to get discharged before completing their enlistment. As a result they are granted less slots. The 15 semester hours simply elevate the GED into Tier 1 status.
It's not like having college automatically gives you extra authority in the military anyway. A 20-year old sergeant with a GED will outrank a 28-year old specialist with a bachelor's degree any day of the week. Of course, the specialist can always apply for OCS if they are eligible to attend and be an officer.
Log in to comment