Army to recruit high school dropouts now

The Army is trying to expand the number of potential qualified candidates to be recruited. Until now a candidate had to have a high school diploma, or 10% could have a GED. Now the GED is no longer required.

If an individual has been out of high school for at least six months, can pass a physical exam and the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, he or she may be eligible for help getting a GED.

The program allows recruiters to enlist a high school dropout, according to S. Douglas Smith, a spokesman for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command. But the enlistee must have the GED before shipping off to basic training. The Army will pay for individuals to attend a course to prepare for the GED test and will cover the cost of taking the GED exam.

Before attending the GED course on the Army’s tab, the person must enlist into the Army’s delayed entry program, Smith said.

The military can't get a draft passed through Congress, so they are lowering the standards.