When a prospective candidate applies for military service they are administered an ASVAB test. Two scores derived from that test are the AFQT and a GT score. The AFQT is a percentile so a score of 40 means one scored better than 40 % of all other test takers.
It is my understanding that the Army now requires HS grads to score a 33 and the Air Force requires a 50. In simple terms, 33% of 18 to 23 year olds are ineligible for Army service and 50% are eliminated from enlisting in the Air Force based on lack of cognitive ability. The AFQT part of the ASVAB mostly tests for reading comprehension and mathematical reasoning.
I had a conversation with an Army recruiter a while back and he stated that the 33 minimum would only qualify an enlistee for limited MOSs (military occupational specialties) and low scores can be a barrier to reenlistment.
The military is becoming very high tech. It is becoming more selective and the days of ”join the Army or go to jail” are long gone. The option to serve is not available for many Americans on the lower end of the IQ spectrum. It is becoming very difficult for youngsters to get a start on life with barriers to military service and the job market flooded with a surplus of college grads competing for limited entry level positions. The military used to be a viable option where the non college bound could learn a skill. Nowadays, one needs to be smart enough to attend college to secure many military occupations.
A Google search on ASVAB, GT score, and AFQT will yield some interesting information.
It is my understanding that the Army now requires HS grads to score a 33 and the Air Force requires a 50. In simple terms, 33% of 18 to 23 year olds are ineligible for Army service and 50% are eliminated from enlisting in the Air Force based on lack of cognitive ability. The AFQT part of the ASVAB mostly tests for reading comprehension and mathematical reasoning.
I had a conversation with an Army recruiter a while back and he stated that the 33 minimum would only qualify an enlistee for limited MOSs (military occupational specialties) and low scores can be a barrier to reenlistment.
The military is becoming very high tech. It is becoming more selective and the days of ”join the Army or go to jail” are long gone. The option to serve is not available for many Americans on the lower end of the IQ spectrum. It is becoming very difficult for youngsters to get a start on life with barriers to military service and the job market flooded with a surplus of college grads competing for limited entry level positions. The military used to be a viable option where the non college bound could learn a skill. Nowadays, one needs to be smart enough to attend college to secure many military occupations.
A Google search on ASVAB, GT score, and AFQT will yield some interesting information.
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