In a move to address ongoing recruitment challenges, the US Navy is set to enlist applicants who have not graduated from high school or obtained a GED.
The change comes as the Navy seeks to boost its recruitment numbers amid struggles to meet its goals.
Navy Eases Entry Requirements
Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, the Navy’s chief of personnel, revealed the new plan, explaining that thousands of potential recruits without an education credential are turned away each year.
Under the revised strategy, recruits without an education credential can enlist if they score 50 or above out of 99 on the qualification test, marking the first time such recruits have been accepted since 2000.
Last year alone, over 2,400 potential recruits were turned away due to a lack of an education credential, with approximately 500 of them potentially meeting the new qualification standards.
Cheeseman emphasized the need for these sailors, expressing hope that recruiters would reach out to them and encourage them to take the qualification test.
This adjustment follows a previous change made by the Navy just over a year ago, allowing for a higher percentage of recruits who scored lower on the Armed Services Qualification Test.
The Navy fell short of its recruitment goal last year, enlisting 31,834 instead of the targeted 37,700 new recruits. This year, the goal is even higher at 40,600 recruits, with the total end strength expected to be 337,800.
Acknowledging the risks associated with lowering entry standards, Cheeseman pointed out that recruits admitted under similar conditions last year had a slightly higher dropout rate during boot camp.
However, he stressed the necessity of taking this risk to expand the pool of potential recruits and meet the service’s demands.
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US Navy Implements Uncommon Recruitment Policy to Expand Applicant Pool
While other branches of the military have resisted such adjustments, the US Navy sees it as a necessary step to grow its recruitment numbers. The move is considered rare, with concerns that lower-performing recruits may face challenges during boot camp or encounter disciplinary issues during their service.
A Navy spokesperson explained that the new policy aims to benefit the Navy by expanding the potential applicant pool, particularly those who may have faced challenges such as non-traditional schooling or early exit from high school due to family responsibilities or other circumstances.
The Navy anticipates enlisting approximately 500 to 2,000 additional recruits per year with this policy change.
The spokesperson emphasized that the Navy has not lowered its overall standards and recruits must still meet specific criteria, including scoring in the 50th percentile or higher on the Armed Forces Qualification Test.
Recruits will also have the opportunity to use free academic skills training programs and test preparation courses to assist them in earning a GED while serving in the Navy.8
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