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Uncle Sam Wants ... Anybody

Posted Jan 23, 08 10:28 AM CST in US 

(Newser) – The Army is lowering standards to meet recruiting goals, with the percentage of high school-educated recruits dropping to a new low of 70.7% last year, reports the Washington Post. The Army hasn't reached its goal of 90% since 2004. A new study also shows that the number of "high quality" recruits—high school graduates who score in the upper half of a military qualification test—has dropped more than 15% since 2004.

A high school education serves as a good indicator that someone will stick with a tour of duty. About 80% of high school-educated recruits finish their first tour of duty, while only half of those who don't graduate finish. An Army spokesman said recruiters are scrambling to find qualified recruits because of the demand of two wars and “a decline in the percentage of students who graduate" from high school.

Sources Washington Post, Boston Globe

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Before future soldier Tyka Petty, right, leaves for basic training she meets with U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. Harry Harper at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Upper Darby, Pa., Wednesday, Aug. 8, 2007....   (Associated Press)
Gen. George William Casey Jr., US Army Chief of Staff, second from left, walks past a life-like mannequin wearing military garb and a weapon, one of many a displays set up by defense contractors at the...   (Associated Press)
A study shows that the Army is accepting more recruits without a high school education.   (Getty Images)
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Army  • Army recruiting  • tour of duty  • recruiting  • military recruits  • high school graduates


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