Posted on Jan 27, 2024
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A friend just shared that the service branch are expected to allow those without HS Diplomas or GEDs into military service. How wise is this?
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2024/01/26/navy-to-allow-those-without-high-school-diploma-or-ged-to-enlist/#
https://www.al.com/news/2022/06/army-drops-requirement-that-recruits-have-high-school-diplomas.html
So, we are welcoming people who are not committed to educating themselves so that our military is the most well educated and prepared to preserve, protect and defend this nation against all enemies?
In today's hyper-modern warfare space are the services branches willing to lower standards, just to meet recruiting goals, or should overall US policy change so that military service is part of the pride of national identity.
If some cannot read and comprehend well enough what they read to take the ASVAB in the first place what will this mean?
> US Army ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-and-army-jobs.html#
> US Marines ASVAB - https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/requirements/general.html#
> US Navy ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab-and-navy-mos-jobs.html#
> US Coast Guard ASVAB - https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/asvab-scores-for-coast-guard-jobs/
> US Air Force ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-and-air-force-jobs.html
> US Space Force ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/join-the-space-force#
While a number of the career paths in each of the service branches that are more technical will require higher ASVABS, what does this mean on other fronts such as fitness, wellness, and especially mental health?
Please share your opinions.
https://www.navytimes.com/news/your-navy/2024/01/26/navy-to-allow-those-without-high-school-diploma-or-ged-to-enlist/#
https://www.al.com/news/2022/06/army-drops-requirement-that-recruits-have-high-school-diplomas.html
So, we are welcoming people who are not committed to educating themselves so that our military is the most well educated and prepared to preserve, protect and defend this nation against all enemies?
In today's hyper-modern warfare space are the services branches willing to lower standards, just to meet recruiting goals, or should overall US policy change so that military service is part of the pride of national identity.
If some cannot read and comprehend well enough what they read to take the ASVAB in the first place what will this mean?
> US Army ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-and-army-jobs.html#
> US Marines ASVAB - https://www.marines.com/become-a-marine/requirements/general.html#
> US Navy ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab-and-navy-mos-jobs.html#
> US Coast Guard ASVAB - https://www.operationmilitarykids.org/asvab-scores-for-coast-guard-jobs/
> US Air Force ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab/asvab-and-air-force-jobs.html
> US Space Force ASVAB - https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/join-the-space-force#
While a number of the career paths in each of the service branches that are more technical will require higher ASVABS, what does this mean on other fronts such as fitness, wellness, and especially mental health?
Please share your opinions.
Potential Recruit
Branch
Service
Military History
Military Education
Edited 6 mo ago
Posted 10 mo ago
Responses: 34
I don't think this will be a rerun of McNamara's Folly from the 1960s. The aspect that they still have to score at least the minimum on the ASVAB is a good sign. Hell, in all my years in the Army, I have come across many a high school, and sometimes college graduates, that were dumber than a box of 3-legged tennis balls yet managed to get into the Service (all branches), be promoted and put in charge of things/people. I mean, it's not like they're going to right away be put in sensitive areas of responsibility without earning it.
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CPT Lawrence Cable
SSG Laurie Mullen - I agree and I don't think that being relieved cost him a career. The command and above were aware of his strong points and I believe they just moved him into a position to take advantage of his abilities. I left/transferred to the Kentucky National Guard shortly after that, but he was still in the Brigade when I left. The other two were a different story. The one was the most toxic leader I ever served under and Fred's was his own damn fault. I even had a private conversation with him about fraternizing with the enlisted and shitting were you eat. It didn't stop him, so not much sympathy for him.
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MSG Thomas Currie
CPT Lawrence Cable - I recall an O6 brigade commander who was relieved (this was at a time when this was practically unheard of). Everyone in the S3 was delighted, I think everyone else was highly surprised because they never saw the problems leading up to it. As I recall, he retired shortly after. His one fatal mistake was that he 100% trusted his battalion commanders (none of whom were relieved although at least one, possibly two, should have been).
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SFC Dave Nutter
I went in in 1973 and during basic all non HS grads were made to take the GED test. ASVAB score will be the real determinant here. As some one else said I met a lot of folks with degrees in the 20 years I served hat were dumber than the rocks they had us paint.
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15
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As long as they get a high enough score on the ASVAB, the piece of paper is irrelevant.
I always come down to one thing. Can you do the J-O-B?
Your piece of paper tells me far less than your ASVAB. And your ASVAB tells me far less than your AIT graduation. Which tells me less than your performance once you get to your unit.
At each gateway, the servicemember must perform to at least a minimum standard. I care FAR less about the standards for the first gateway than I do about AIT and promotions standards.
I always come down to one thing. Can you do the J-O-B?
Your piece of paper tells me far less than your ASVAB. And your ASVAB tells me far less than your AIT graduation. Which tells me less than your performance once you get to your unit.
At each gateway, the servicemember must perform to at least a minimum standard. I care FAR less about the standards for the first gateway than I do about AIT and promotions standards.
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SGT Kerry Sommers
The fix to this low recruitment number is to treat current veterans with respect and provide them what they need. I have 2 cancers, kidney disease, 6 liters of oxygen, a brain tumor, and yet I have to fight the VA for benefits. Either the VA does not care or they are not listening to veterans. Who wants to join a military that treats veterans this way?
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I do not think it a bad idea. I did not have a High School diploma when I joined, but took and passed the GED test while in Basic. It all depends on the individual.
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Suspended Profile
If there were to be a change, it would likely involve a thorough assessment of the skills and qualifications necessary for different military roles and the MOS's available for non HS grads and non GED holders. Requiring a GED at some point for first termers would make sense as a prerequisite for promotions (maybe to E4 for example) and more options in the event someone wanted to reclass at reenlistment time to a new MOS.
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