| Serving in the military is an honorable and worthy | | | | because actual transcripts and diplomas will be |
| aspiration, and homeschool students can look | | | | required for enlistment. Transcripts must include |
| forward to this opportunity upon high school | | | | the specific course names, dates of completion, |
| graduation if they choose, just as any other | | | | any community college work that you might have |
| student can do. Although there has been some | | | | done, and be professionally prepared. Spend the |
| confusion on the enlistment process, several | | | | time on getting these documents in order as you |
| points need to be kept in mind that will allow | | | | work through high school. It will really pay off |
| homeschool graduates to meet the standards as | | | | when you graduate. |
| outlined in the June 1, 2007, Department of | | | | 3 - Finally, you will be expected to take the |
| Defense policy on homeschool students and their | | | | Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery |
| ability to earn Tier 1 status. Tier 1 status will open | | | | (ASVAB) exam. Homeschool graduates will be |
| many doors to the homeschool graduate, and | | | | required to achieve a 50 or above on the ASVAB |
| with it come many benefits of military enlistment, | | | | in order to earn Tier 1 status on their enlistment. |
| so keep these things in mind as you work | | | | A higher score, or a strong showing on this test, |
| through high school if this path of post-graduate | | | | will also open other doors to possible cash |
| careers is one that you are considering. There are | | | | bonuses for some types of enlistments, potential |
| three areas to which you should pay particular | | | | early promotions, and other opportunities for job |
| attention. | | | | choices and training, so a strong academic |
| 1 - All of the standard enlistment requirements | | | | background, test-taking preparation, and being an |
| must be met by homeschool students seeking | | | | independent learner will be vital traits to cultivate. |
| military enlistment, and that includes the physical | | | | Homeschoolers will also be expected to take the |
| tests as well. So it is important to be physically | | | | Assessment of Individual Motivation (AIM) which, |
| active in your homeschool program, participate in | | | | while not impacting the status of your enlistment, |
| sports or athletic training, and to pursue a solid | | | | will be a required exam of which you should be |
| foundation in physical preparation. The challenge | | | | aware. |
| for homeschool students is to remember that | | | | If homeschool students think they may be |
| while a home aerobics video or walking the dog | | | | interested in pursuing a military enlistment upon |
| routine is often considered "good enough" for | | | | high school graduation, then the best course of |
| homeschool Physical Education standards, that | | | | action is to engage in a strong high school college |
| type of program will not benefit your potential | | | | preparation program. This will ensure that they |
| military career or long-term physical fitness and | | | | are presenting the best possible strengths, both |
| cardiovascular needs. Consider P.E. to be a course | | | | academically and physically to the enlistment |
| worthy of stringent activity and training. Many | | | | officers, and give them more options through the |
| local gyms are available as well as | | | | higher scores on the ASVAB exam. There are |
| community-wide sports teams to help facilitate | | | | practice tests that can be taken for this exam, |
| this. P.E., taken seriously, should be included in your | | | | which are highly encouraged, and every high |
| high school program in order to be ready for the | | | | school student should take a solid course in test |
| physical standards of military enlistment. | | | | preparation while in high school as well. Most high |
| 2 - Additionally, in order to enlist in the military, | | | | school homeschoolers do not have trouble with |
| you must actually be a graduate of a homeschool | | | | their military enlistments if they follow these |
| program, not currently still in high school, and your | | | | minimum standards during high school. Homeschool |
| high school course of study must meet the state | | | | graduates have been very successful, not only in |
| and local standards. Be sure that you are following | | | | enlisting, but in serving their country with honor |
| the state guidelines on what is expected for | | | | and pride, and this very respectable post-high |
| graduation in your area and keep records that can | | | | school path can be an open door for a |
| verify your adherence to these codes. Keep | | | | life-changing experience of tremendous value to |
| accurate records for transcript preparation, | | | | those who prepare well for it. |