View all text of Chapter 31 [§ 501 - § 520c]
§ 520. Limitation on enlistment and induction of persons whose score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test is below a prescribed level
(a)
(1) The number of persons originally enlisted or inducted to serve on active duty (other than active duty for training) in any armed force during any fiscal year whose score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test is at or above the tenth percentile and below the thirty-first percentile may not exceed 4 percent of the total number of persons originally enlisted or inducted to serve on active duty (other than active duty for training) in such armed force during such fiscal year.
(2) Upon the request of the Secretary concerned, the Secretary of Defense may authorize an armed force to increase the limitation specified in paragraph (1) to not exceed 20 percent of the total number of persons originally enlisted or inducted to serve on active duty (other than active duty for training) in such armed forced 1
1 So in original.
during such fiscal year. The Secretary of Defense shall notify the Committees on Armed Services of the Senate and the House of Representatives not later than 30 days after using such authority.(b) A person who is not a high school graduate may not be accepted for enlistment in the armed forces unless the score of that person on the Armed Forces Qualification Test is at or above the thirty-first percentile; however, a person may not be denied enlistment in the armed forces solely because of his not having a high school diploma if his enlistment is needed to meet established strength requirements.
(Added Pub. L. 96–342, title III, § 302(b)(1), Sept. 8, 1980, 94 Stat. 1082; amended Pub. L. 96–579, § 9, Dec. 23, 1980, 94 Stat. 3368; Pub. L. 97–86, title IV, § 402(b)(1), Dec. 1, 1981, 95 Stat. 1104; Pub. L. 98–94, title XII, § 1268(3), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 705; Pub. L. 100–370, § 1(a)(1), July 19, 1988, 102 Stat. 840; Pub. L. 118–31, div. A, title V, § 542, Dec. 22, 2023, 137 Stat. 264.)