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Navy no longer requiring high school diploma to enlist

The change is designed to boost recruiting numbers that have fallen far below the Navy’s goals.

WASHINGTON — For the first time in more than 20 years, the Navy is no longer requiring those who enlist to have a high school diploma or GED. 

This move comes after the Navy missed its recruiting goal for new active-duty sailors in 2023 by about 20% - a shortfall of more than 7,000 people.

“I don't think this is such a great idea,” said Jeff Carver, who served as a Lieutenant Commander in the Navy. To him, a sailor with a high school diploma shows more than just a level of education. “At least we have people who, on the surface, seem to know how to fulfill a commitment. Can stick with something even though they run into adversity and get through it.”

Those hoping to enlist without a high school diploma must score average or above on the Armed Forces Qualification test. 

The Navy sent CBS 8 a statement saying in part, "This policy update benefits the Navy by expanding the potential applicant pool of highly qualified and motivated future Sailors who may have been impacted by COVID-19 trends of non-traditional schooling, early exit from high school to support their family, or a variety of other individual circumstances."

Armen Kurdian, a retired Navy Captain with 25 years of service, questions the Navy’s statement. 

“Quite frankly, I think that's a little bit of equivocation,” he said. Armen wishes the Navy, instead of lowering its requirements, would look internally at why this is happening. “This inability to pull in individuals at a level of standard where you were before and not now is a symptom of a larger issue.”

Armen is concerned that lowering the requirements will increase the number of people who need extra attention, negatively impacting those working around that sailor. Jeff, who is now a lawyer specializing in military justice, agrees, saying, “I can tell you that the more education a young recruit has, ultimately, the less likely that I will be representing them in an administrative separation board - or possibly a court martial - that's a fact.”

The Navy thinks anywhere from 500 to 2,000 more sailors will be able to enlist because of the change.  

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