Military Services Look to Increase Recruit Options

The US military services are seeking to expand their pool of potential recruits by working with candidates who previously fell short of standards, issuing waivers to others, and finding underrepresented demographic groups. The services lowered their recruiting goals for 2024 after failing to meet their 2023 targets in most cases. The Navy plans to create a future sailors preparatory course, while the Army has already established its future soldiers program. Several members of the Senate Armed Services Committee urged service chiefs to find a way to fast-track waivers, and the Air Force recently changed its rules on allowing recruits with tattoos.