Is your son or daughter interested in a career in the U.S. Armed Forces? HSLDA is pleased to announce that finally, homeschool graduates are free to enlist in the military on the same terms as any other high school graduate.
Since 1998, HSLDA has been working with the Pentagon and Congress to ensure that patriotic young men and women who wish to serve their nation in the armed forces are free to do so and are not discriminated against because they were homeschooled. After numerous battles, and most recently, congressional amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act in 2012 and 2014, we are finally ready to declare victory.
New Policies
We have confirmed that the Pentagon has finalized and implemented new policies for homeschool graduates who seek to enlist. These policies are simply to determine if your child was actually homeschooled and not for any other reason. We are very pleased that Congress’ attention to homeschool freedom and equal treatment is leading to good policies for homeschool enlistment across the armed forces.
HSLDA has drafted the following guidance for homeschool graduates who are interested in enlisting in the armed forces. Please note that each situation is unique, and that HSLDA is happy to answer any member’s questions.
Guidance for Enlistees
1. If your state law requires you to file some type of notice with the state or local school district, you will need to show that documentation (and any response you received from the school district) to the recruiter. If you live in a state that doesn’t require you to file a notice of intent to homeschool with the school district, the recruiter will ask you to supply some additional documentation to verify that you are indeed a homeschool graduate. This additional documentation may vary depending on the branch of the military and the state you live in.
2. Each homeschooler must submit a transcript attesting that he or she has completed high school in a homeschool setting. We encourage you to show as detailed a transcript as you can. If you need assistance drafting a transcript, HSLDA’s high school consultants are happy to help HSLDA member families, or you can use HSLDA’s Fast Transcript Service. You can find more information on transcripts on our website.
Source: HSLDA | Will Estrada
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