How come the Marines and Army lowered standards for recruits?

Question

Now one can join up to age 42. If you have only a 10th grade education and have a light criminal record they will now take you. Why the change?

Answer 1

same reason they're offering huge sign on bonuses. recruit numbers are way down.

Answer 2

Because alot more people coming out of high school already have a criminal record but they are still very clear about what and what not criminally will be allowed. Also, many who want to join are not finishing school. And if they can read and write at a 10th grade level they can go in. And about being up to 42. People can't run as fast at 42 in most cases then a teen.

Answer 3

Education wise, they have to pass a test. If they can't pass the test, they can;t join. The criminal violations have not changed. The Army has always allowed people with minor infractions to join. They are looked at on a case by case basis. It is easy to figure out why they lowered the age limit. Our military is stretched thin and needs more recruits quickly.

Answer 4

The Marine Corps has not lowered their standards for recruits. The age limit has been raised for the US Army, not the Marines.

Answer 5

recruit numbers for one are not down, they have made there quota for 13 months straight. they need people with life experence. before they upped the age limit, we had a gentleman who had his masters degree in engineering and spoke three different languages but we told him he couldnt join because he was too old. he could have been a valuable person too us. we and the younger recruits will look up to the older and make the di's job eaiser.

Answer 6

Because we are a country at war right now and we need all the people we can get. Army and Marines do most of the grunt work because that is what the intention of those branches are. The AF and Navy aren't necessarily foot soldiers.

Answer 7

They had to make the changes in order to get recruits. Unfortunately, regardless of what George Bush or ole Donny Rumsfeld say the military is stretched to a breaking point and George is still threatening other countries (i.e Iran and North Korea). There is absolutely no way our military can take on a country such as Iran at the current manning and readiness levels. We may not even be able to do it anyway because we are bogged down in Iraq and Afghanistan is picking up steam once again. Equipment is falling apart and troops are breaking down. The public opinion is so against the Iraq war that the military has to do what it can to prevent having to instill the draft. I believe the draft my pop up as an option if we're not out of Iraq or the insurgency stops within the next couple of years.

Answer 8

During war time, it is difficult to recruit, especially as no one really believes we're at war (when we've only just begun). We haven't instituted the draft, so we're looking for alternate recruiting methods to avoid that. Some suggests processing aliens from other nations as soldiers, then granting them citizenship. Poor thought, but it's the alternatives that DoD look for to avoid drafting, but if Iran doesn't play ball, get your boots shined.

Answer 9

raising an age limit is not lowering standards. and just try to join with a felony charge much less a conviction. our troop's and thier leader's deserve no less than our full support, young or old should not matter as long as you can pull your weight and get the objective done. GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS YOUNG AND OLD!

Answer 10

not meeting the recruitment goals year after year

Answer 11

They knew you wanted to join and thought they would give you a chance.