Josiah Ruse, who is enrolled in the Alaska Homeschool program based in Delta, has joined an elite group of Americans to earn a perfect score in the Armed Forces Qualification Test (AFQT).
As first reported by the Delta Wind, Ruse is a junior in high school with thoughts of serving in the U.S. Marines once he graduates. Given that he scored a 99 on the AFQT, he would be a highly coveted addition to America’s fighting force.
According to the military testing website, less than 1% of examinees earn a 99 AFQT score.
The AFQT, which comprises four sections that test Arithmetic Reasoning, Mathematics Knowledge, Word Knowledge and Paragraph Comprehension, is part of the larger Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, taken by more than a million high school age students each year.
Since World War I, the U.S. Military has used several different aptitude tests to screen people for military service. In 1973, the U.S. Air Force began using the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, which is now used by all other Service branches. The test is used to gauge enlistment eligibility, assign applicants to military career fields and help students discover career paths in which they might excel.
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Ruse told the Delta Wind that, despite his stellar academics, he prefers a military post that is physical and active.
“I still have a year until I graduate,” Ruse said. “And if I go the military route, I am leaning toward the Marines. They are the best in my opinion when it comes to physical activity. And I like to be physically active.”
Ruse’s impressive score in the AFQT is not a one-off. Earlier this year, the stellar homeschooler earned gold and bronze medals in the Academic Decathlon competition. Additionally, this past November, he was inducted into the National Honor Society, which is based on grades, character, service, and leadership.
Ruse is also an avid athlete. According to Delta Wind, he has competed in cross country, wrestling, track and field and riflery.
8 Comments
Finally. A young Alaskan we can be proud of! Especially while everyone is in an uproar over $1,000 more per student is considered. How can parents not know that in 1910 young men graduated at 16 from the one room schoolhouse melded with all the other grades, reading and writing TWO LANGUAGES, arithmetic, algebra, geometry,history, literature, and when they got home could mend fences, build barns, dig wells, maintain livestock, food production, and animal husbandry. and, not least of all, they could SIGN THEIR NAME and write in cursive or print.
There are plenty of Alaskan kids we can be proud of. Not all may be academic savants, but they are all our kids and all have great potential and we need to show them love and support. Not condemnation. Try harder please. .
CONGRATULATIONS! You will do the Marines proud!
Agree,
Look a homeschooled student Awesome.
I’ve said this many times, take your kids out of these woke schools before it too late.
What high honors achieved by this young man! His willingness to selflessly service our country in the Marines is admirable. Even more so his willingness to make all the difference in the world by working hard to accomplish outstanding results speaks for itself! There is reason to believe that more is to be read about his future achievements. All the best to you Josiah!
Future r*pist. That is all soldiers are.
What you lack in class you certainly make up for in vitriol. I served YOU proudly as a young man, have no regrets and didn’t rape anyone. Ever. Your cowardice and ugliness isn’t something to be celebrated. This young man’s achievements are.
Really? Come forward and say that to my face.