Pentagon to simplify entrance exams due to military recruitment crisis.

The Pentagon’s Plan to Make Military Entrance Exam Easier

The Pentagon is shaking things⁣ up with its military entrance exam to make it more accessible for potential recruits to join the U.S. armed forces, according to a new ‍report.

On Friday, Military.com reported that the Defense Department will now allow potential recruits to use​ a calculator on the agency’s entrance exam. Known as the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), this test assesses academic aptitude and determines the military jobs candidates are qualified for. The exact date of implementation for this change remains unknown.

“We are taking a systematic approach, which will assess the impact ⁤of‌ calculator use, and⁤ we are developing a⁤ way forward for calculator inclusion,” a Pentagon representative told Military.com.

Lowering Entrance Standards to Address Recruiting Crisis

This alteration in testing policy⁤ is just one example of the military’s efforts to accommodate⁢ a larger pool of candidates ‍for service. In‍ June 2022, the Army eliminated the​ requirement for⁤ potential recruits⁣ to have a high school diploma or GED certificate. Similarly, the Navy announced a ​reduction in admittance standards, allowing individuals with lower scores on certain parts of the‌ entrance⁢ exam to join.

The Defense Department’s continuous lowering of entrance ⁤standards is a response to the recruiting crisis​ faced by U.S. military branches. In April, the Military Times reported projected recruiting shortfalls in the thousands for the U.S. Navy, ‍Air Force, and Army this year.

• The Air Force is estimated ​to fall short by approximately 3,400 recruits.
• The Navy is ⁤projected to⁤ miss its goal by 6,000 recruits.
• The Army is expected to have a shortfall of 10,000 ⁢recruits.

The situation has become so dire that Navy leadership recently enlisted the help of Yeoman 2nd Class Joshua Kelley, an active-duty drag queen known as Harpy Daniels,‍ to serve ‌as a “Navy Digital Ambassador” and attract potential candidates through digital platforms.

DEI Ideology and Recruiting Crisis

While factors like poor fitness levels ⁢among potential recruits may ‍contribute to⁤ the​ recruiting crisis, another significant reason is the Biden administration’s embrace of DEI ideology within the military. DEI, which stands for “diversity, equity, and inclusion,” is a divisive ideology that disregards merit and discriminates based on characteristics⁤ such as race and sexual orientation.

Since President Biden took office, the Pentagon ⁢has consistently mandated that its leadership promote DEI throughout its ranks. This promotion of ‍so-called “diversity” and “inclusion” has often resulted in⁣ preferential treatment for self-identifying LGBT soldiers. For instance, the Air Force authorized its military bases to host events commemorating “pride month”‍ and even used taxpayer funds to fly service members ⁢to ​”pride” events in Washington, D.C.

President Biden has also appointed military leaders who embrace DEI for‌ high-ranking positions within the service. One such nominee is Col. Benjamin Jonsson, a DEI advocate, who was nominated to become a brigadier general. In an article, Jonsson claimed that “white colonels”‍ are the “biggest barriers” ‍to⁣ addressing so-called “racial injustice” in the military and recommended ‌reading Robin DiAngelo’s White Fragility: Why It’s So Hard​ for White People to Talk About‍ Racism, a book that promotes divisive ideologies ⁢like‍ critical race theory.

Efforts by congressional Republicans to ⁢eliminate DEI ​from the U.S. military have faced resistance from the Biden administration, which baselessly defends these policies by asserting that they “promote a cohesive and ​inclusive force.”

Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of ⁤Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention ⁣of States Action, and his work has been‌ featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative ⁢Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood