Expanding Enlisted Lateral Entry: Options and Feasibility

Can the U.S. military better meet its personnel needs by allowing more recruits to enter laterally into military service from civilian life? The U.S. military constantly evaluates its personnel system to find optimal ways to obtain the types of personnel to execute its missions most efficiently. Will it get better results if it expands its program to allow civilians with appropriate education and experience to enter the military laterally? The authors analyzed occupations in the Army, Air Force, and Navy and concluded that pursuing a policy of large-scale lateral entry did not show promise. They recommended that the Army and Navy leave their lateral entry programs intact for possible expansion, should future conditions warrant it.