Ok, First off I would like to say this, I have made quite a few mistakes in life. None as far as drug abuse, felonies, alcohol, smoking etc. But as far as having that little document that shows you are smart, I don't have that. I'm 18, High School was just not for me. I quit, my senior year, because I was informed by my counsoller(sp?) that I would have to complete an entire extra year just to obtain 1 extra credit I needed.
Ok now thats that. So I am intrested in joining the military. Avivation has always been a preferred thing but I am afraid of the fact that not having a high school degree. I will just be overlooked. (Also note I am currently studying/registering/taking the GED test)

On to the Questions:
I have 1 year to get into shape, Any recommendations? I'm not like an obese person. But I am 6'1" 210 lbs. Large Frame

What is my best bet if I am to succeed in joining the military? These are my most intrested areas, forgive me if I'm wrong on the technical terms.
-Aviation
-Scout/Recon
-EOD team member
-Humvee Driver
-Any branch special forces
-Also I'm sure there is plenty of others that I just have not come to think of completly, please shed your insight.

Zeke

You need to visit with the recruiter of your choice. Only he can give you the straight scoop.

Too bad you decided not to finish High School. You should have returned or attended summer school for that one credit, or better yet, paid attention during your senior year.

You can get in on a GED, so all is not lost. Just talk to the recruiter, listen to what he's got to say, take it home and really think it over. Once you sign this contract, you can't just walk away like you did in high school.

Get the GED. Can't get in without it. Talk with a recruiter. Take the ASVAB test. If you do well on the ASVAB, it really won't matter whether you have a diploma or a GED.

When you say aviation, do you want to work around planes or fly them.

If you want to fly please refer to:

Ok here is the low down.

1. Dont enlist if you want to fly!! you have until you are 27 to become a pilot to be competitive never mind what the cut off is, you will not be competitive if your over 27 so time is of the essence. Your ASVAB scores dont matter unless you are going army aviation, that process is much different from the air force.

2. go to college and get your BA, preferably in engineering or science.

3. You will need to take a test called the AFOQT, an AF officer recruiter will set you up with the test, it has to be an OFFICER recruiter and they wont even talk to you until you have your BS. You will eventually have to take what is called a FAST test as well, the officer recruiter will help set you up with that as well.

4. You can try doing the AFROTC route as well but you have to commit after your sophmore year and they wont guarentee a pilot slot, but it is an option if you are a gambler. The Air Force academy is an almost gaureteed pilot slot if you can get in and make it to graduation.

5. After or if you can pull it off while you are going to school you will need to get your private pilots licence with as many hours as you can afford. I would recommend taking your spring break to take your ground school test, its like an 1-2 hrs test and you can study right out of a book you dont need to pay for a class its pretty easy stuff.

Once you do thoes things you will be able to talk seriously with an AF officer recruiter about a pilot slot if you did not go AFROTC or the academy.

If you have anymore questions let me know.

What ever you do dont enlist, you will get all kinds of advice from people here, but the bottem line is if your 18 now you have 9 years to do all of that and there will most likely be a year just waiting for a pilot slot to open up and do all of the paper work etc. Also in the AF you have to be a commissioned officer to fly and there are only 4 ways to become an officer and the 4th (direct commission) does not apply to pilots. So you are left with AFROTC, the academy and OTS. The nice thing about AF OTS is you go 11 weeks of your hazing and your done then you start the good stuff flying.

BTW, you can walk away from a military contract its just not as easy as walking away from high school. And I wouldent exactly call it "walking away" because getting out of your contract is alot of work but can be done.

Like it has been said you will need to talk to your recruiter and really think about what he or she says.

The jobs you have listed are jobs that they do not want people who will walk away when it starts to get tough. I am not saying you will but you have to REALLY want it.

As for getting in shape, look on amazon.com for military workout books. I have used the Air Force Special Tactics one and the Navy Seal on and think they are both great for getting started. Try to find someone to workout with, it helps a lot. Also, mix it up. Try taking aerobics classes, swim, circuit training, sprints and lift weights. Simply, doing pushups, situps, pull ups and running is not going to cut it for anything more than passing the PT tests. And if you want to get into the more elite units you will have to be in all around great shape. Also, mix in some rucking or find a weight vest to jog in.

I workout with an ex-TACP and we run with plated body armour and red-guns and then we do our work outs in them.

But the basic idea is to start doing something. Dont sit around thinking of the 'perfect' workout routine. just start working out.

Good luck in whatever you do

Well, as far as walking away goes. I wouldn't walk away from something I choose to do, High School on the other hand was forced Upon me and I never signed any contract. So, No worries on walking out. And to the GED I plan to obtain one in the next 3 months, I have just been studying for it. Also thanks for all the advice, Training books, talking to recruiter etc. Another question: Is it possible to enlist for 2 years or so working around planes etc. Then once that is up go to do the things that need to be done to become a pilot. Then Go back into the military as an officer? And would that increase my chances of becoming a pilot?

To be an officer you'll need a college degree. Yes, there are now short(er) enlistment options, not sure exactly what they are, but seem to remember reading something about 18-24 months (for the US Army). There is another way to fly in the military and that is through a Warrant Officer program offered by the Army and Navy.

http://www.news.navy.mil/search/display.asp?story_id=22072

http://www.goarmy.com/about/warrant_officer.jsp

High school was forced on you? Its part of growing up. So now your all grown up, but without the education it takes to do somethig with your life.

Sorry Zeke, but I have little patience with those that use that type of logic as reasoning why they failed.

Please see above post about becoming a pilot. The more time you spend not in college or doing what you need to do to become a pilot the less competitive it makes you when you finally check off all the things posted above because you will be quickly approching or exceeding the age of 27. Everyone and there brother and there cousin wants to fly so you have to jump through alot of hoops and even if you jump through all the hoops you still may not get in. Going in enlisted will probably earn you a few brownie points but not if you dont have the meat and potatoes by the time your 27.