FEMA classes to get into the Army, Fastest Way?

My brother has completed +15 fema classes in hopes he can use this once transferred to a college to join the Army. He is doing this because he has a GED and the Army said they won't take him unless he gets these 15 credits because of it. Talking with Frederick and Clackamas I am finding it even harder to get through this process. Frederick said the form we used on FEMA's website to request the official transcripts to be sent to their institution was void because it wasn't using their special form on their website, they got frustrated with me when I challenged their ways. I thought an official transcript was an official transcript, guess not. So the two weeks we have been waiting to hear back from the school was a waste. If they couldn't accept it like that why wouldn't they call us and let us know, they have our number. I called Clackamas and they said the application we filled out on the main page wasn't correct and that once we do everything correctly it won't be till the end of March until they can transfer the credits. Hes been trying to join for the last couple years but we keep on hearing different storys. Anyone have any advice? Were willing to try anything.

 

According to US Army enlistment criteria, a GED is sufficient.

"The basic qualifications for enlistment in the U.S. Army include:

• being from 17 to 34 years old
• be a U.S. citizen or resident alien, (must have the I-551)
• have a high school diploma or equivalent (such as a GED)
• be single with no children or married with 2 or less children
• pass the ASVAB test and
• pass the physical


You should also not be undergoing any civil actions; certain law violations will disqualify you.


You are not required to have a High School Diploma."

http://www.army.com/enlist/requirements.html

Perhaps your brother is attempting to enlist with a particular MOS guarantee needing academic requirements beyond the GED (?). I know the GED will qualify as an 11B (infantry) enlistment.

 

Major56, at present, the Army is requiring all GED holders to have at least 15 sh of college credit. With the economy as it is, USAREC is tightening down on who can join.

To the OP, an alternate to FCC is the credit bank at Thomas Edison State College (TESC). Banking 15 credits will cost $400. The application is at the link below.

http://www.tesc.edu/files/NondegreeServiceApp(1).pdf

 

Or, you could skip the hassle and join the Marines

 

Thanks for providing the revision on Army minimum enlistment requirements ...

 

Marines limit the number of GED applicants taken. On a side note, despite my best urgings to the contrary (my MOS was 8653) a friend of mine's son just recently finished USMC basic and is on his way to Afghanistan. He liked my old pictures and stories so much he enlisted as an 0311 despite having an associates degree. Some folks just were made for the Marines.

My son in law is an Army officer and he advises me that GEDs require 15 college hours. As stated above. But he did say that a really strong ASVAB might lead to a waiver.

 

Bank on it. A GT score of 110 has always been the magic number. A high DLAB score - and a willingness to attend language school - is another qualifier.

 

Sounds like me, except for the going to A-stan part. I enlisted back in '98 with my associates degree, but I was an 0331...I'm trying to convince my son (9) to join the Air Force

*The recruiting services have what is called Tier's . Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 they take certain precentages from each one. The Marines take 5% from lower tier so while they do restrict people with GED's it can be done, but you will need to score above a 50 on the ASVAB. AF only takes less than 1% and the Army takes 10% from the lower tier.

*US Military Enlistment Standards*

 

A 0311 (Grunt) … OUTSTANDING! Keep in mind; the Marines are looking for a [FEW] good men. Personally I was a 0802; and in that all Marine officers are infantry officers FIRST, I opted on my “dream” sheet for artillery – riding vs. walking. Back then, Marine infantry was essentially all “straight-leg”.

OORAH!!!

 

...

That would be a lot faster than the two months FCC was telling me and a lot cheaper for what were trying to do too. Do you know anyone who got in this way? I will call them up now.

 

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Anyone else know if this will work. TESC says to make sure the accepting institution (Army) accepts its transcripts before paying. I am not sure if my recruiting office knows, they didn't know about FEMA even. Thanks

 

Hoo-ah

Glad to see the Army is tightening its reins a little...

As alluded to earlier, recessions = no problems with enlistment. I wish GED holders would have been required 15 s.h. hours in the 80's, when I was involved in U.S. Army infantry (11B).

All straight leg...walking forever...even earned the only authorized award belt buckle in the U.S. Army for completing the Manchu Mile (100 mile forced road march in 4 days).

I do like that the Marine Corps has its own eclectic version of martial arts which is tied to rank progression. I would have loved it if the Army would have implemented something similar.

 

All the Army and Marine talk making my head hurt. Go Navy!

 

Ya know, when I was at dive school one of the SEAL team guys was ragging on me about the Marines being a department of the Navy. My response:

"Yep, it's the men's department."

Still, all in all, our assigned corpsmen were all fine folks (once we got their grooming standards fixed...)

 

One of my younger brothers was an Army SPC-4 and an 11B10 … that’s about as Infantry as it gets.

 

Go Navy my eye...I was on the USS Iwo Jima for 10 days and sick the entire time. You fellas have my utmost respect (when I am not making fun of your uniforms).

 

The steroid department!

Those uniforms are pretty bad, but the ladies love them.

 

One thing’s for certain regarding the Navy … they always gave us a ride.

 

Don't ask, don't tell??

 

The Few. The Proud. The Marines