It’s time for the military to rethink entrance examinations

First the SAT and ACT. And now...the ASVAB?

It’s time for the military to rethink entrance examinations

Since 1968, the military has used the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, to assess all incoming recruits. This single test predicts academic skills and determines what military occupational specialty, or MOS, the recruit is qualified to perform in their service.

However, these evaluations are subject to bias, such a race or income inequality, and don’t accurately measure a recruit’s aptitude to perform a job. In short, they focus on mathematical and verbal skills that aren’t indicative of actual intelligence or the ability to learn. By including a series of practical, task-based evaluations and redesigning the academic exam to test ability to perform a skill and not simply academic knowledge, the ASVAB can become a better assessment of a recruit’s aptitude — and potentially their career success.

It is time to replace the ASVAB with a new method of assessing aptitude and ability to learn a trade.


Interestingly, just like the Ivies getting rid of the SAT and ACT, there is no recommended substitution for the ASVAB. I assume the author would prefer to just dump it. However it does seem to perform a useful screening purpose; there are dumb people in the service, but there sure are a lot dumber people out of the service.

 

The ASVAB has served us well in assisting in the effort to develop an effective fighting force. Its worked... why are people so ready to fix things that aren't broken?

Did someone find out that our enemies are killing us differently? What combat requirements have changed that we need to change the ASVAB?

 

I think in this recruiting environment, they are looking for any possible reason to drop standards to fill bodies.

 

I would think passing the ASVAB is much less of an issue in recruiting than things like body fat, conditioning, drug use and criminal background.

There are multiple books one can use to learn how to pass it if they fail. And if they use one and still can't pass, odds are they are not smart enough to serve in the first place.

 

That is a recipe for defeat... the end of America... and with those in charge now... certainly possible