U.S. Defense Secretary mulls easing military enlistment standards

PanARMENIAN.Net - U.S. Defense Secretary Ashton Carter is considering easing some military enlistment standards as part of a broader set of initiatives to better attract and keep quality service members and civilians across the Defense Department, the Associated Press reports.

While there are few details yet, Carter is exploring whether to adjust some of the requirements for certain military jobs, such as those involving cyber or high-tech expertise.

The Pentagon released documents laying out some of Carter's plan, saying the secretary sees recruitment and retention as major challenges to a military coming out of two wars and facing turmoil around the world.

Specifically, the Pentagon pointed to cyber jobs as an area where standards — such as age or minor drug offenses — could be relaxed. Military leaders have long complained that it is difficult to attract and keep cyber professionals in the services because they can make far more money in private industry.

This is not the first time, however, that the services looked to reduced restrictions as a way to entice more recruits, the AP reminds.

During 2006-2007, the military steadily increased the number of bad behavior waivers as the services — particularly the Army and Marine Corps — struggled to meet deployment demands in Iraq and Afghanistan. The services let in more recruits with criminal records, including some with felony convictions, in order to meet recruiting quotas.

Carter also is considering other changes to help ensure that the military attracts the best and brightest, including programs to pay off student debt, improvements to the retirement, promotion and evaluation systems and doing more to allow sabbaticals for service members.

Carter is expected to begin discussing his plans to build a better 21st century force during several stops Monday, March 30, and Tuesday in Pennsylvania and New York.