Scraping the bottom of the barrel

[unixronin]

You know, it might be just me (or, it might not, since I found this courtesy of the inestimable MSgt wcg), but personally, it seems like a pretty good sign we're in real trouble if we're now having to accept recruits who scored only in the 16th percentile on the aptitude test.

That's what 34 states just did for Army National Guard recruiting.  And remember, it's a bell curve.  16th percentile takes in all but the very bottom tail of the curve.  You pretty much have to show up with a pulse and blood pressure, and be able to read and write.

Update:  As mazianni points out, the maximum recruiting age was also previously increased to 42.

Comments

[mazianni.livejournal.com]

A classmate of mine was talking about recruiting the other night. He recently got out of the Army and is pursuing a criminal justice degree.

He said that a lot of things are ignored that would've previously stopped someone from being recruited. Like visible tattoos and felonies.

He also said that, since the recruiting age has been kicked up to 42 years old, it's not uncommon to see 18 year old kids and guys old enough to be their dads in the same training units in Basic.

[lonewolf545.livejournal.com]

What they neglect to mention is that the standards are still higher than they were in the '80's. And there's still a limit on how many recruits in that lowest category will be accepted. And the Navy and Air Force are both REDUCING their headcounts.

[unixronin.livejournal.com]

I'm now afraid to ask what the standards were in the 80s.