By Michael Ormsby
Fort Jackson, South Carolina, is the larest Initial Entry Training Center in the U.S. Army, training half of all soldiers. The pilot program which allowed recruits to enlist and earn their GED® diplomas at Fort Jackson resulting in a GED test credential for nearly 3,000 undereducated adults, is ended. The program allowed adults without a high school diploma to start their careers in the Army before passing the GED test. Now, with enlistment up because of high unemployment, the Army is discontinuing the program.
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The closure of the Army’s GED program shows the imbalanced impact the economy has on high school dropouts. The 39 million American adults without a high school diploma or GED test credential have the highest rate of unemployment and the lowest rate of pay. Jayson Reimers of Seattle a 20-year-old in the last class in the Army GED program, worked at a part time job in a mall before enlisting. Kristi Garcia, who also earned her GED diploma in the program’s last class, worked at McDonald’s before enlisting. Now, Army recruiters tell high school dropouts that their chances of getting enlisted in the Army are low.
The GED test credential is still a high school dropout’s best route to military service, as well as other jobs, vocational training, and higher education. Almost a half million people earn a GED test credential each year, but this is a small amount compared to those who need one. Preparation programs like the one the Army recently closed are key to passing the GED test.
The closure of the Army’s pilot GED preparation program leaves a gap. Local adult education programs and online GED study programs are needed to help those who want a military career compete and enlist.
