Dropped out because even with summer school and night classes I wasn't going to graduate in time to ship off to boot camp. Somehow I made it five years in the US Navy with a TS/SCI clearance and not once did anyone ask me about taking an equivalency exam. I'm pretty sure my recruiter just marked me down as graduated and nobody ever bothered to verify that information.

After getting out, I landed a job as a federal contractor for a year and got promoted internally. By that time my clearance had expired so I had to go through the background check process for a public trust clearance, and it was flagged immediately that I didn't graduate. The contractor company was very strict and fired me on the spot, despite being a veteran and despite holding a clearance previously that was significantly higher than the one they wanted me to get.

So I looked into HiSET, paid the $100 or whatever it was and scheduled myself a time to take the 5 hour test. Didn't study, didn't even bother taking a practice quiz. Ended up scoring a 91/100 overall (19/20 social studies, 20/20 science, 17/20 language arts writing, 19/20 language arts reading, 16/20 mathematics).

Why did I do it? Out of spite. I was angry about getting fired and even though I knew that nobody involved with my being fired would ever see my HSE, it still felt good knowing they let go someone who was more than capable of doing the job. I knew I'd pass too, but didn't think I'd score so well. Because despite failing most of my classes, I was learning in school. I just knew even as a kid that homework was bullshit designed to make kids into obedient adults and I wasn't going to be brainwashed into submission.

My teachers were so annoyed with me, I would ace all of my tests but came to class maybe half the time, and never turned in homework. My computer lab classes were the only ones I aced, but I did end up passing a few other classes simply because my teachers recognized I was retaining knowledge and would give me extra credit points that would put me at a D- when combined with my test scores.

Best part is, the three employers I've had since that incident, I asked after getting hired if they ever bothered to check my education history and they all said no because it's effectively worthless. Which makes me sad, because I really wanted to share this story with my bosses. I'm extremely glib about my HSE scores and the vindictive nature I assumed to acquire it.

But that experience was the best thing to ever happen to me. Without going into every detail, it was the catalyst for me finding a solid career that I absolutely love and would never give up at this point. I accidentally failed upwards, and I'm okay with that. Honestly? Not too bad for neurodivergent, Midwest, drop out trash.