Enlisting dropouts doesn't hurt Army standards, officials say

The Contra Costa Times ^ | Oct. 04, 2005 | Joseph L. Galloway

[Former Military Chick]

It is almost that he wrote as little as possible to have the title out there ... just mho

[Balding_Eagle]

Well, we just lowerd the standards for judges too, what's the problem?

[dts32041]

two words McNamara's 100,000.

[.cnI redruM]

I'd rather except the shortfall and have higher standards.

[GVnana]

A GED is not a "dropout". It's a high school equivalency exam. I know. I left high school at the age of 16 with a GED and later got my bachelor's.

There's plenty of young people out there with gumption who, for whatever reason, don't fit the high school mold.

[katagious]

I'd like to know how many of these "dropouts" are actually homeschoolers who had to get a GED in order to enter the military.

[katagious]

In fact, with newly reformulated GED tests it is actually more difficult to pass the GED then it is to graduate from many highschools in this nation.

[.cnI redruM]

Interesting info. I'd always assumed that High School Graduation also implied a certain level of socialization and discipline that may also be necessary to a military unit. It's not just book smarts that are taught in schools.

[Grut]

two words McNamara's 100,000.

Ah yess... I remember it well. "Project 100,000," which enlisted substandard recruits in the 1960s, was widely hailed by military leaders as a resounding success until it was suddenly canceled as a disaster.

[Red Badger]

I can believe that..........USMC OOHRAH!!!!!A Force of WON!......

[joesnuffy]

You had to be there to really appreciate it....LOL

[dts32041]

I was and it took almost 20 years to fix that little problem. <p. The second worse thing old MC did, 1st trying to 3 cents a weapon on the M-16, failure to chrome bolts and chambers.

[RedEyeJack]

You are on target... getting a diploma or a certificate of attendance saying you were able to stay through the required amount of time even without graduating was found to be the number one indicator of a "propensity to serve", that is, the ability to adapt to military life and discipline and successfully complete an enlistment.

Adopting High school graduation as a prerequisite for enlistment has been one of the major reasons for reducing the Non-EAS (before end of enlistment) attrition for all the services going back to the 1980's. This has been one of the factors that made the all-volunteer force work.

There is probably some wiggle room for selected cases but if you take too many it has the potential to be self-defeating. They don't last for a variety of reasons and you then have to find new recruits to replace them. Some thought the Army and Marine Corps were in a "death spiral" for quality when the high school graduation policy was implemented. Things were turned around in about 4 years.

[goodnesswins]

Some people who get GED'S are SMARTER.....they didn't want to prolong their agony in the PUBLIC SKOOLS which so many here (correctly) deride!

[dakine]

H.S. paperwork means nothing...check AQE/ASVAB SCORES...

Anecdotal: Last grade I remember is 9th...I scored 95+ on all AQE/ASVAB...

[kellynla]

If the Army can make a good Soldier out of a HS dropout, more power to them.
In fact, by joining the Army, a young man or woman may see the advantage of completing and/or continuing their education.

Ya know Mark Steyn never graduated HS either.
I know, I know...Steyn is the exception and an exceptional gentleman; but young people who have not completed their education may find their purpose in life in the armed forces and dramatically improve their situation and future and maybe even be an asset to the Army. The Army is definitely an improvement over many other alternatives.

And if they don't make it through basic or their initial enlistment; they can always be discharged.

I know I was in the Marine Corps with Marines who hadn't graduated HS until later and they were some of the finest Marines the Corps ever produced.



Semper Fi,
Kelly

[Mathews]

I dropped out when I was seventeen and joined the Navy. This was not my first choice. The first four years were rough and I almost quit several times, but because I had several supervisors that believed in me, I stayed (thank God). I've been in for just over 17 years. I was selected for Chief Petty Officer (CPO/E-7) in 2000 and I have a good chance at making Senior (E-8) this year. I earned a Master of Management with a concentration in HR and I'm also a Six Sigma Green Belt. Not too bad for a drop out.

[Abogado]

GED = "good enough diploma."

[Wristpin]

The best Sailor I served with during my 23 year career was one of the dreaded GED accessions.... He was an awesome leader and a brillant technician. He didn't do too bad...made Master Chief in just under 17 years. When he transferred from our maintenance department, his successor(a BS Degree holder) stumbled and was fired.

Some folks may make mistakes when they are young...I'd rather take my chances with a GED holder than a liberal like Clinton the meticulously punches tickets every step of the way. Remember, he ended up being annoited to CiC.

Good luck with the rest of your career.

[GVnana]

Worked for me.