The U.S. Navy is taking steps to enlist individuals who have not graduated from high school or obtained a General Educational Development (GED) credential. This move comes as the Navy struggles to meet its enlistment goals for the second time in about a year. The decision follows a similar move in December 2022 to recruit a larger number of candidates who scored very low on the Armed Services Qualification Test. While this is a fairly rare step for the military services, all branches are facing challenges in attracting young people who meet the physical, mental, and moral standards required for service.
Under the new plan, individuals without an education credential will be eligible to join the Navy if they score 50 or above on the qualification test, which is out of 99. The last time the Navy accepted recruits without education credentials was in 2000. Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, the Navy's chief of personnel, expressed the need to tap into the potential of thousands of individuals who visit recruiting stations each year but are turned away due to a lack of educational qualifications. He estimates that out of the more than 2,400 individuals turned away last year, up to 500 of them may have scored high enough to qualify for enlistment.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has presented significant challenges for military recruitment. The closure of recruiting stations, limited access to high schools and public events, and increased competition from higher-paying businesses have made it difficult for the military to attract candidates. Additionally, concerns about the possibility of being deployed to war zones have also deterred many young people from considering military service.
In the previous fiscal year, the Navy, Army, and Air Force failed to meet their recruitment goals, while the Marine Corps and the newly formed Space Force managed to meet their targets. In an effort to address this issue, the Navy set a higher enlistment goal of 40,600 for this year, compared to the 31,834 recruits brought in last year. The total size of the Navy for 2024 is set at 337,800.
Other branches of the military have been more cautious about accepting recruits who score low on qualification tests or lack educational credentials. The Navy is the only service that enlists recruits considered as 'category four,' scoring 30 or less on the qualification test. The Army allows low-scoring candidates to participate in its Future Soldier Prep Course to improve their scores before enlisting, while the Air Force only accepts recruits without diplomas if they score 65 or higher on the qualification test.
Critics argue that accepting lower-performing recruits may lead to higher washout rates in boot camp or cause more disciplinary issues in the long term. However, Vice Adm. Cheeseman contends that the risk is manageable, as the current capacity of boot camps is not being fully utilized. So far, the difference in washout rates between low-scoring and high-scoring recruits has not been significant.
The Navy's decision to expand its enlistment criteria is driven by the need to broaden the pool of potential sailors. Vice Adm. Cheeseman views it as a calculated risk that could help address the recruitment challenges the Navy currently faces. In addition to accepting candidates without high school credentials, the Navy is actively exploring other avenues to tap into untapped talent.
It remains to be seen how this new approach will impact the Navy's recruitment numbers and overall performance. As the military continues to adapt to changing times and demographics, finding innovative solutions to attract qualified individuals will remain a priority.
