Dexter Filkins

And so if you typically if you fail to make weight two times in a row, you're out. And so at least on paper so far, it's working. Like the kids who have lost the weight and passed the tests, the aptitude tests, they're, you know, they're hanging in there.

And so if you typically if you fail to make weight two times in a row, you're out. And so at least on paper so far, it's working. Like the kids who have lost the weight and passed the tests, the aptitude tests, they're, you know, they're hanging in there.

Well, the big way is, so you take this test. It's called like the Armed Forces, you know, aptitude test or something like that, qualifications test. And it's basically like, you know, kind of miniature, you know, SAT or whatever. And you take that test, and then they score you, you get a score, and then they rank you. And then they rank you in one of five categories, depending on...

Well, the big way is, so you take this test. It's called like the Armed Forces, you know, aptitude test or something like that, qualifications test. And it's basically like, you know, kind of miniature, you know, SAT or whatever. And you take that test, and then they score you, you get a score, and then they rank you. And then they rank you in one of five categories, depending on...

Well, the big way is, so you take this test. It's called like the Armed Forces, you know, aptitude test or something like that, qualifications test. And it's basically like, you know, kind of miniature, you know, SAT or whatever. And you take that test, and then they score you, you get a score, and then they rank you. And then they rank you in one of five categories, depending on...

how well you did. And so, you know, from one being the top to five where you can't get in, you know, like you're out, you know, these are people that scored really low. The category four is like the lowest category that you can score in and still get in. And so what the, there used to be a rule at the Pentagon that said no service can take more than 4% of its recruits in category four, no more.

how well you did. And so, you know, from one being the top to five where you can't get in, you know, like you're out, you know, these are people that scored really low. The category four is like the lowest category that you can score in and still get in. And so what the, there used to be a rule at the Pentagon that said no service can take more than 4% of its recruits in category four, no more.

how well you did. And so, you know, from one being the top to five where you can't get in, you know, like you're out, you know, these are people that scored really low. The category four is like the lowest category that you can score in and still get in. And so what the, there used to be a rule at the Pentagon that said no service can take more than 4% of its recruits in category four, no more.

Well, they had to relax that rule in 2022 because they weren't getting enough recruits. And so I think last year, 20% of the Navy's recruits are Category 4. So they drop. And that means essentially that you're basically below average in your score. And it's not really an intelligence test. I mean, I think they kind of claim that it is, but it's more of like an achievement test.

Well, they had to relax that rule in 2022 because they weren't getting enough recruits. And so I think last year, 20% of the Navy's recruits are Category 4. So they drop. And that means essentially that you're basically below average in your score. And it's not really an intelligence test. I mean, I think they kind of claim that it is, but it's more of like an achievement test.

Well, they had to relax that rule in 2022 because they weren't getting enough recruits. And so I think last year, 20% of the Navy's recruits are Category 4. So they drop. And that means essentially that you're basically below average in your score. And it's not really an intelligence test. I mean, I think they kind of claim that it is, but it's more of like an achievement test.

But you're basically under 50th percentile. So the Navy has definitely had to drop its standards to keep people coming in.

But you're basically under 50th percentile. So the Navy has definitely had to drop its standards to keep people coming in.

But you're basically under 50th percentile. So the Navy has definitely had to drop its standards to keep people coming in.

Well, they used to be really strict about it. You know, you just couldn't have any kind of visible tattoo on your body, but also you As it was explained to me, there's a whole range of prohibited tattoos. So you can't have a gang tattoo. You can't have like a white supremacist tattoo. You have these, you're gone. And so they've had to modify those, not as regards—

Well, they used to be really strict about it. You know, you just couldn't have any kind of visible tattoo on your body, but also you As it was explained to me, there's a whole range of prohibited tattoos. So you can't have a gang tattoo. You can't have like a white supremacist tattoo. You have these, you're gone. And so they've had to modify those, not as regards—

Well, they used to be really strict about it. You know, you just couldn't have any kind of visible tattoo on your body, but also you As it was explained to me, there's a whole range of prohibited tattoos. So you can't have a gang tattoo. You can't have like a white supremacist tattoo. You have these, you're gone. And so they've had to modify those, not as regards—

gang tattoos or white supremacist tattoos, but you can have, and you know, just because so many people have tattoos now, but like you can have a, I think you're allowed to have like a small tattoo in your neck, like behind your ear. You can have one on your hand that's kind of visible. So to me, what was interesting about the tattoo question is that

gang tattoos or white supremacist tattoos, but you can have, and you know, just because so many people have tattoos now, but like you can have a, I think you're allowed to have like a small tattoo in your neck, like behind your ear. You can have one on your hand that's kind of visible. So to me, what was interesting about the tattoo question is that

gang tattoos or white supremacist tattoos, but you can have, and you know, just because so many people have tattoos now, but like you can have a, I think you're allowed to have like a small tattoo in your neck, like behind your ear. You can have one on your hand that's kind of visible. So to me, what was interesting about the tattoo question is that