New recruits without a high school diploma or GED can now join the U.S. Navy, under changes announced by Chief of Naval Personnel Rick Cheeseman.
The news is an opportunity for people without diplomas or GEDs to try their hand at joining the military. This is because those without the aforementioned qualifications are required to score at least 50 points out of 99 on the military service qualification exam. , Associated Press report.
1/3 – updated @US Navy The recruitment policy, which allows candidates with an AFQT score of 50 or above without an HS diploma or GED to join the military, opens up a new path to enlistment. This will expand the Navy's applicant pool and attract talent from across the country.
— VADM Rick Cheeseman, USN (@2Cheeseman) January 26, 2024
“Each year we admit thousands of people into our recruiting offices who want to join the Navy but don't have the educational qualifications. And we just turn them away,” said Vice Admiral Rick Cheeseman. told The Associated Press in an interview Friday.
Last year, approximately 2,400 seafaring applicants were denied admission due to educational requirements, Cheesman explained. Under the new rules, about 500 of that lot could be admitted based on testing alone, Cheeseman estimated. (Related: Obesity rate among active duty U.S. military personnel exceeds 20%, report says)
The overall increase in flexibility regarding enlistment comes as a result of the looming draft crisis plaguing the entire U.S. military.
Two branches of the military, the Marine Corps and Space Force, met their recruiting goals last year, while the Army, Navy and Air Force all missed their respective targets, according to the Associated Press.
Last year, the Navy's enlistment goal was set at 37,700 men, but only 31,834 enlisted, Cheeseman said.
This time, Cheeseman has set his current goal several thousand bodies higher, at 40,600 bodies, the outlet continued.
“I need these Sailors. So that's the stretch goal. We're telling recruiters to get 40,600 people to join the Navy,” Cheeseman outlined.
“We don't fully expect to get that many numbers. But we're moving towards it,” the admiral said.
The lowering of standards suggested to some that the United States was preparing for war.
🚩Rumors of war🚩
breaking news:
The U.S. Navy has eliminated all high school diploma and GED requirements for enlistment.During World War II, compulsory high school education was abolished due to the urgent need for personnel for the war effort.
pic.twitter.com/5IUZx5c8ig— Oh, Gilligan! (@FlipJoyX) January 26, 2024
The last time the Navy accepted low-level noncommissioned officers was in 2000, according to the Associated Press.
