(Molly Bruns, Headline USA) The Army is no longer requiring potential recruits to have a high school diploma or GED certificate to enlist, in the midst of a large recruiting crisis.
According to Military.com, the service announced that individuals may enlist without the previously required education certifications if they go to basic training before the end of 2022’s fiscal year.
Every branch of the U.S. military is reportedly struggling to meet its 2022 recruiting goals. The Pentagon’s top leaders have been scrambling to find ways to fill out the ranks of their forces.
Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks both stated that they consider the shortfall to be a serious issue.
“This is the start of a long drought for military recruiting,” said Ret. Lt. Gen. Thomas Spoehr of the Heritage Foundation. “2022 is the year we question the sustainability of the all-volunteer force.”
The eligibility pool has continued to shrink, as more and more young people are being disqualified for obesity, drug use or criminal records. Chief of Staff Gen. James McConville stated that only 23% of Americans ages 17-24 are qualified to serve without a waiver to join.
An internal survey by the Defense Department found that only 9% of those eligible Americans had any inclination to do so.
In a time where overall confidence in United States government institutions is decreasing, the military has struggled to gain recruits. According to the survey, many potential recruits believe they will be mentally or physically scarred after volunteering for military service.
“This recruiting crisis is like a slow-moving wave coming at us,” said one senior defense official involved in recruiting and personnel issues.
“As the military has gotten smaller and the public have gotten less and less familiar with those in uniform, it has grown.”
The Pentagon is also considering waiving restrictions against those with asthma and ADHD.
