(August 26, 2008)--As the Army works to increase its force by some 65,000 troops Central Texas College is being asked to help in the cause through a pilot program that would allow recruits who didn’t graduate from high school to earn diplomas, which they need to qualify for certain duty assignments.

CTC’s high school completion program was launched in the 1970s, and the Army is looking to offer something similar for army recruits.

In this pilot program, the Army will swear in recruits, but they will be students first.

If given the green light, this program will be the first of its kind anywhere, and provide the Army one more recruitment tool in keeping their numbers strong.

With a declining number of high school graduates eligible for military service, earlier this month the Army created a prep school where recruits could earn GEDs before heading off to basic training.

Now the Army is taking the program one step further by offering a high school diploma.

"In the Army, especially right now, there are certain MOSes that you're required to have a high school diploma for, not a GED,” said Jim Yeonopolus CTC deputy chancellor for International and Navy Campus operations.

“So it open's up more doors for them if they come in with a high school diploma."

Plus it helps with getting more to sign on the dotted line.

Recruiters are being asked to grow the army by 65,000 over the next five years.

In a time of war that can be a tall order, but cash and educational incentives are an enticing draw.

"Fort Hood is actually the corner stone of what we do here,” Army Recruiter Sgt 1st Class Clint Moosman said.

“I would say we're the number three volume recruiting station in the United States."

CTC’s pilot program will be run out of Fort Jackson, S.C., the home of the current prep school.

The Army would swear in the recruits, but their duty will be as students.

They have six months to earn their high school degree then it's off to basic.

"As they finish the Army can then get someone else and put them in that seat and begin with them,” Yeonopolus said.

“So the seats are never empty."

The program would be a plus for the Army and those who yearn for a second chance at an education and career.

"It just gives an additional way for somebody that doesn't have a traditional high school diploma to go ahead and serve their country,” Mossman said.

All that waits is the final okay from the Department of the Army.

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