It's possible that he has graduated high school but most often a 17-year-old, who is having that birthday in three weeks, has not graduated high school. So, has he graduated high school yet? If not, why is he in such a hurry to join? If he dropped out of school, he can pretty well count on not getting in. I don't think there are any GED slots left for this year and there will probably be very few in the next fiscal year (which starts October 1).
I don't have any children that wanted to join at 17 but I did join at 17 so I have some experience on the subject. If you could shed some more light on the situation then we may be able to provide more assistance.
Mike i think you are missing something-DEP is delayed enlistment-he signs now-works with the recruiters on PT and getting ready for boot but isnt sent to MEPS or assigned a ship date til after graduation-and he can void the contract up til the time he goes to MEPS. OP its not a bad thing-if he doesnt know what he wants to do with his life after college-or he wants to build funds to help pay for college the army will give him a reasonable paying job, health care, education , and room and board while he finds himself-on the other hand 16 is pretty young to make that decision-i cant say its a bad one -my husband did it-shipped after gradution and completed thirty years of combined active and reserve service this last april. Have you talked to the recruiter-i would start there-he or she might be able to give you some insite. I remember hanging out with the DEPers way back when-we lived in a small town in a small state -that had a lot of political upmpf back in those days and the kids who were in the selection process for military academies and the DEP kids met with the local recruiters once a week for PT and social life.it was awesome.
I went into the military at 17, into basic. so was in dep for a bit while I was 17 as well (I signed my papers and had everything completed within 4 weeks of turning 17). brother was in dep while he was 17 (again a couple years back hers a sra now) but we did it fine.
best thing you can do what my parents found (this was a few years ago and i was discharged on health grounds) was to sit down and talk about reasons why he wants to join know. what career field hes looking at going into. what is his take on doing schooling while in etc.
main thing was look at his reasons if its him wanting to get outta town or bored of his area etc or to blow things (sadly i know a couple guys who joined because of this god help us) but I would sit down and talk about his options, show him about outta state or area universities and colleges he can go for etc show him that if his motivation is to leave there are other options he can take and after that if hes still set on military do it with a higher pay grade or more life experience.
also sit down and talk about what life is like ie not being able to go see his friends and family at the top of a hat, lond deployments etc.
nothing wrong with wanting to join early and be in the dep prgramme while hes 17, but you should talk and keep the communication open for the reasons why, it helped keep my parents sane and understanding and one of them was retired mil and even he appricated the being kept in the loop.
also as mentioned the DEp life can open up a new social group setting for people which is a good thing if your not used to it.
best of luck in whatever he does and best of luck to you for supporting his decision
