US annual military recruitment

https://lemmy.world/post/44750590

So they take absolutely everybody they can get nowadays. What would be an explanation for the previous divide? I never pictured the military to be a job that you could apply and be turned down…
I’ve heard the physical fitness tests can be pretty tough. I also had a cousin with a college degree who applied. It seems a college degree typically means you come in as an officer, but they wanted to bring her in as an enlisted soldier instead. I think they don’t need as many officers, but I’m guessing not everybody with a degree wants to go in without a commissioned rank.