U.S. Navy Lowers Standards, Offers $115k to Meet Recruitment Goals

In response to ongoing difficulties in meeting enlistment goals, the U.S. Navy has decided to allow individuals without high school diplomas or GEDs to join the service, marking the second significant shift in recruitment strategies within a year. The move is part of an effort to address challenges faced by all military branches in attracting young people who meet the stringent physical, mental, and moral standards.

This decision follows a similar move in December 2022, where the Navy opted to enlist recruits with lower scores on the Armed Services Qualification Test. Now, recruits without an education credential can join as long as they score 50 or above on the qualification test, which ranges from 1 to 99. The last time the Navy enlisted individuals without education credentials was in 2000.

Vice Adm. Rick Cheeseman, the Navy’s chief of personnel, explained that the service turns away thousands of individuals annually who express interest in joining the Navy but lack an education credential. Of the over 2,400 turned away last year, up to 500 could have scored high enough to meet the new criteria.

The Navy has set an enlistment goal of 40,600 for the current fiscal year, aiming to overcome the challenges posed by the economic impact of the pandemic, increased competition with higher-paying businesses, and a divisive political climate affecting recruitment efforts. Last year, the Navy fell short of its enlistment goal of 37,700, bringing in only 31,834 recruits.

While other military branches largely avoid or limit the enlistment of lower-scoring or less-educated recruits, the Navy is taking a different approach. It already enlists “category four” recruits, those scoring 30 or less on the qualification test, arguing that specific roles like cook or boatswain mate don’t necessitate high test scores.

The Navy believes that expanding the pool of potential sailors through these measures is essential to meet their enlistment goals. However, other military services express concerns that lower-performing recruits may face challenges in completing boot camp and could present disciplinary problems over time.

Vice Adm. Cheeseman acknowledged the risk but emphasized the Navy’s capacity to accommodate recruits in boot camp, stating, “I’m willing to take a risk.”

The Navy's efforts to diversify recruitment strategies aim to tap into untapped talent pools and address the changing landscape of young individuals willing and able to meet the demands of military service.

As the Navy implements these adjustments, the impact on boot camp success rates and overall recruitment success will be closely monitored to assess the effectiveness of the new enlistment strategy.

According to the Navy, “Future Sailors and Prior Service Members, either Navy Veterans or Other Services Veterans (NAVETs/OSVETs), are now eligible for enlistment bonuses and loan repayment up to $115,000, according to a message released by Navy Recruiting Command Aug. 4”