Nation At Greater Risk

The national decline in education standards is starting to affect national security. “Almost a quarter of young people who tried to join the military between 2004-2009 did not pass the entrance exam, according to a study released last month,” according to a story which appeared in The Education Reporter in January. “The dismal pass rate is causing concern among military leaders about national security.”

“The 23% military exam failure rate is even more disturbing because the exam is only given to people who meet other requirements; the Pentagon reports that 75% of 17- to 24-year olds don’t even qualify to take the exam because they have a criminal record, didn’t graduate from high school, or are physically unfit. (About one-fourth are obese, making them medically ineligible.) Additionally, a passing score isn’t even particularly demanding — applicants only need to score 31 out of 99 on the first portion of the three-hour test to enter the Army, though recruits for the Marines, Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard need somewhat higher scores.”

Malcolm A. Kline is the Executive Director of Accuracy in Academia.

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