Over the next two years, the U.S. Army is facing a major draw-down in numbers. It will be cutting about 40,000 troops from its ranks, along with a possible cut of more than 17,000 civilian staff members.
According to local recruiters, the army actually continues to recruit even when they're cutting troops, because many of the cuts come from higher up in the ranks, through early retirements. But recruiters said they have also raised their standards.
It turns out, one of the main hurdles that filters out recruits is the aptitude test... even though the army already requires a high school diploma or GED.
"It's a sad fact right now," Staff Sergeant Zachary Kumler said. "A lot of people come into our office and can't pass the test. They struggle with it."
Recruits also have to pass a set of physical fitness tests that involves running, push-ups, and sit-ups.The army also screens for mental health, through a test for adaptability, to see how a person might handle stressful environments.
And like just about every other industry, the military is using social media to screen its recruits as well.
"Social media is a great way to look at an applicant, and be like, 'Are they qualified? There's a tattoo on their face. No, they are not,'" Staff Sergeant Bethany Brown said.
To see the full interview, tune in or set your DVR for Face the State. It's airing Saturday, 7-18, at 4:30 a.m., and on Sunday, 7-19 at 3 a.m. and 6:30 a.m.
