Project 2025's Mandatory ASVAB Testing: An Authoritarian Overreach
In my ongoing deep dive of Project 2025, I’ve uncovered some concerning proposals. But this latest discovery has truly set off alarm bells. Imagine a world where every high school student, including those with IEPs, is required to take a military entrance exam. This isn’t dystopian fiction - it’s a real proposal from Project 2025, a initiative of the far-right Heritage Foundation.
As you might imagine (if you’ve been reading my articles), I’m deeply troubled by this plan. It would mandate all students in schools that receive federal funds to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test. This isn’t just another standardised test; it’s a calculated move that could funnel our youth, including our most vulnerable students, towards military careers.
This proposal represents a significant overreach into our educational system. It threatens to undermine the individualised approach we strive for in special education, potentially steering students towards a path they may not be suited for or interested in. The pressure this could place on students, especially those with learning differences or disabilities, is immense and deeply concerning.
We must recognise this proposal for what it is: a troubling attempt to reshape our schools’ mission and potentially compromise the diverse futures our students deserve. As educators, parents, and concerned citizens, we need to be aware of and critically examine such far-reaching proposals that could fundamentally alter our educational landscape.
The Sinister Origins of Project 2025
As you know, Project 2025 aims to reshape America through an ultra-conservative, neoliberal lens. This plan, which reads like a dystopian manifesto, proposes sweeping changes to various sectors, including education, healthcare, and defense. The Heritage Foundation, a think tank known for its far-right ideology, has long championed policies that favour the wealthy and powerful while undermining social safety nets and public welfare.
At the heart of this initiative are key figures like Christopher Miller, a former Secretary of Defense under Donald Trump. Miller, along with other like-minded individuals, envisions a future where the military plays an even more central role in American life. Their motivations are clear: to strengthen the military-industrial complex and ensure a steady supply of recruits for America’s global ventures. This isn’t about national defense; it’s about maintaining and expanding the U.S. empire to benefit capitalist interests.
The broader aims of Project 2025 are deeply rooted in a fascist trend towards mandatory national service. Far-right ideologues see the military not as a force for national defense, but as the enforcement wing of capitalist corporations. By pushing for mandatory ASVAB testing in schools, they aim to normalise the idea of compulsory service, effectively turning our youth into tools of empire-building. This plan is a direct assault on educational autonomy and personal freedom, designed to coerce students into supporting a militarised, imperialistic agenda.
The Dystopian Proposal: Mandatory ASVAB Testing
Project 2025’s proposal to mandate ASVAB testing in federally funded high schools is a textbook example of dystopian overreach. The ASVAB is a military entrance exam designed to assess an applicant’s suitability for various military occupations. Under this proposal, every student in schools receiving federal funding would be required to take this test, effectively turning our education system into a recruitment tool for the military.
The official rationale behind this proposal is to improve military recruitment and identify the aptitudes of potential future soldiers. Proponents argue that mandatory ASVAB testing will help fill the ranks of an under-recruited military and provide students with career insights. However, this reasoning conveniently ignores the broader implications of coercing students into military pathways. It’s a thinly veiled attempt to address recruitment shortfalls by expanding the military’s reach into the education system.
Despite his recent attempts to distance himself from Project 2025, Trump has not severed ties with the Heritage Foundation or the key figures backing this project. This proposal isn’t on the ballot, and it’s a deeply undemocratic power grab. If the American public were fully aware of its implications, they would likely reject it outright. The U.S. has a proud history of voluntary military service, and the problems caused by past drafts are well-documented. This proposal threatens to undo that history by imposing a militarised agenda on our youth, eroding the principles of choice and autonomy that underpin our society.
Why This Proposal Stinks
Project 2025’s proposal for mandatory ASVAB testing in high schools is a multifaceted disaster. Let's break down why this idea stinks to high heaven.
Educational Autonomy? What’s That?
This proposal tramples over the sacred principle of local control in education. By imposing a military entrance exam on all high school students in federally funded schools, it disregards the unique priorities and needs of individual school districts. Local educators and administrators understand their students’ needs far better than distant policymakers do. They tailor curricula to prepare students for a variety of careers, from the arts and humanities to STEM and vocational trades.
Take, for example, a high school in Silicon Valley focusing on technology and engineering. Forcing these students to take the ASVAB diverts precious time and resources from their specialised studies, sending a message that military recruitment trumps their aspirations. Similarly, an arts-focused school in New York City would see its carefully designed programs disrupted by a mandate irrelevant to most of its students’ futures. This one-size-fits-all approach ignores the diverse educational landscapes across the country and undermines the hard work of educators striving to provide a well-rounded education.
Ethics, Schmethics
Forcing minors to take a military test raises serious ethical concerns. The ASVAB isn’t just a harmless aptitude test; it’s a tool designed to assess suitability for military service. Subjecting all high school students to this test, regardless of their interest in the military, coerces them into considering a career path they might otherwise avoid. This is especially troubling given the psychological impacts of such pressure on young minds.
Consider the stress and anxiety that can arise from feeling pushed towards a military career. Many students are already under immense pressure to perform academically and plan their futures. Adding mandatory military testing into the mix can exacerbate these pressures, leading to increased anxiety and potential mental health issues. It’s an unethical imposition that prioritizes military recruitment over the well-being of students.
Impact on the Innocent
This proposal doesn’t just disrupt education; it also has far-reaching impacts on students’ futures and mental health. Parents and educators have expressed valid concerns about the pressure this places on students. For many families, the idea of their children being steered towards military service is deeply unsettling. They send their children to school to receive a comprehensive education that opens doors to various opportunities, not to be funneled into the military-industrial complex.
Moreover, the historical context of military conscription in the U.S. underscores why this proposal is problematic. The draft was ended in 1973 because it was widely recognised as incompatible with democratic values. Reintroducing a form of compulsory service through mandatory ASVAB testing is a regressive step that ignores the lessons of the past. It risks creating a generation of students who feel coerced into military service, undermining the very principles of choice and autonomy that are foundational to American society.
As such, Project 2025’s mandatory ASVAB testing proposal is an affront to educational autonomy, ethical standards, and the mental health and futures of our students. It’s a blatant attempt to militarise our schools and coerce our youth into serving an imperial agenda. The American education system deserves better than to be hijacked by such authoritarian ambitions. It’s time to reject this proposal and advocate for policies that truly support the diverse needs and aspirations of our students.
Mandatory Military Service: A Relic of the Past
A Brief History Lesson
Mandatory military service, or conscription, in the United States has a tumultuous history. The draft was a contentious issue during the Vietnam War, sparking widespread protests and social unrest. The political and social climate of the time saw massive resistance to the draft, culminating in a movement that demanded its abolition. By 1973, the U.S. government ended conscription, shifting to an all-volunteer force. Again, this change was largely driven by the recognition that compulsory military service was incompatible with democratic values and individual freedoms. The draft had become a symbol of government overreach, coercing young Americans into fighting in unpopular and morally dubious wars.
The decision to end the draft was also influenced by practical considerations. The military leadership recognised that a volunteer force was more effective and motivated. Additionally, the public’s growing disenchantment with the war and the draft’s inequities—where the wealthy and connected could often avoid service while the poor and marginalised were disproportionately conscripted—fueled the push to abolish it. This historical context underscores why any move to reintroduce a form of mandatory military service, even indirectly through mandatory ASVAB testing, is regressive and deeply problematic.
The Military as Empire’s Tool
Critically examining the role of the U.S. military reveals its function as an instrument of global dominance and capitalist interests rather than a purely defensive force. The last time America faced an invasion on its soil, excluding the events of Pearl Harbor and 9/11, was over two centuries ago. Today, the military’s primary role is not defending the homeland but projecting power abroad to maintain geopolitical and economic dominance. This is starkly evident in recent military engagements and the presence of U.S. troops in numerous conflict zones around the world.
For example, the U.S. military’s involvement in Ukraine and Gaza underscores its role in international conflicts far removed from American shores. ‘Advisors,’ often euphemistically described, are indeed warriors engaged in these hotspots. These interventions are less about defending American territory and more about sustaining a global order favorable to U.S. interests and those of its defense contractors. The military-industrial complex thrives on perpetual conflict, ensuring a steady stream of profits for defense contractors and maintaining economic interests through military might.
Moreover, the U.S. military’s extensive network of bases worldwide acts as a mechanism for enforcing U.S. hegemony. This global footprint allows the U.S. to intervene in regions critical to its strategic interests, often under the guise of promoting stability and democracy. However, these actions frequently result in prolonged conflicts, humanitarian crises, and the destabilisation of entire regions, serving the interests of a capitalist empire rather than genuine national defense.
Thus, the historical rejection of conscription and the current use of the U.S. military highlight why proposals like mandatory ASVAB testing are fundamentally flawed. They represent a step backward, reviving coercive practices that undermine individual freedoms and serve imperialistic agendas. It’s time to recognise these proposals for what they are: tools to perpetuate a system that prioritises profit and power over people and peace.
Smashing the Counterarguments
Shared Sacrifice? Give Me a Break
The proponents of mandatory ASVAB testing and, by extension, compulsory military service, often tout the idea of “shared sacrifice” as a noble endeavor. They argue that such measures foster a sense of unity and shared responsibility among citizens. However, true shared sacrifice should never involve coercion. The very essence of sacrifice is that it is voluntary, a choice made freely by individuals who believe in a cause.
Take my own experience, for instance. I served a two-year national service commitment with AmeriCorps’ Teach for America from 2020 to 2022. During this time, I served my country by serving my community, dedicating myself to improving educational outcomes for underserved students in Los Angeles. This kind of voluntary service fosters genuine shared sacrifice, where individuals willingly contribute to the greater good without being forced into roles that may not align with their values or aspirations.
The Real Solution
Addressing military recruitment issues does not require coercion but rather a reimagining of service and national priorities. Instead of mandating military tests, we should focus on improving voluntary service options and creating opportunities that truly benefit society.
For instance, imagine redirecting the resources currently used for maintaining military bases around the world to domestic infrastructure projects. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers could lead efforts to rebuild America’s crumbling bridges and roads, creating jobs and improving safety. The Air Force could transform its transport aircraft into regional airlines servicing remote and rural areas, enhancing connectivity and economic opportunities. The Signal Corps could spearhead efforts to finally wire up the entire country with gigabit fiber internet, bridging the digital divide and ensuring all Americans have access to high-speed internet.
These initiatives would not only address pressing domestic needs but also provide meaningful service opportunities that align with the values of shared sacrifice and community building. They would offer young people a chance to contribute to their country’s well-being without the coercion of mandatory military service. By focusing on voluntary service improvements and better education and job opportunities, we can create a society where shared sacrifice is a choice, not a mandate.
Final thoughts …
In today’s article, we’ve dissected Project 2025’s proposal for mandatory ASVAB testing in high schools, revealing it as an authoritarian overreach that undermines educational autonomy, raises serious ethical concerns, and pressures students into considering military careers. We delved into the historical context of conscription in the U.S., highlighting why it ended and why reviving it in any form is a step backward. We’ve also exposed how the U.S. military serves as a tool for maintaining global dominance rather than a true defensive force, enriching defense contractors at the expense of genuine national security.
It’s clear that Project 2025’s proposal (buried on page 135) is not about improving education or providing career opportunities; it’s about coercing our youth into a system designed to sustain an aging capitalist empire. We must reject this undemocratic power grab and stand firm in protecting the principles of choice, autonomy, and ethical standards in our education system.
I urge you to do your own homework. Read the proposals. Oppose the mandatory ASVAB proposal and remain vigilant against similar authoritarian schemes. It’s crucial to advocate for policies that genuinely support the diverse needs and aspirations of our students, ensuring that education remains a tool for personal and communal growth, not militarisation.
Let’s focus on creating a society where shared sacrifice is voluntary and meaningful, where service to the nation comes from a place of commitment and choice, not coercion. Protecting educational autonomy and ethical policymaking is not just a priority—it’s a necessity for a free and democratic society.