The discussion on this thread initiated with the article about the Marine Infantry Officers Training School. There was absolutely no reference to lowered standards. Ergo lowered standards are not part of the position I am defending.
Standards should be exactly what are necessary to fully qualify for a position, no more, no less.
If you want to defend against lower standards, go find someone who is advocating lowered standards, it is not me.
Why would I want to defend against lower standards, that was the opposite of my point?