scope:

Applicability.

This directive applies to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the Military Departments (including their Reserve and National Guard components), the Coast Guard by agreement with the Department of Homeland Security when it is not operating as a Service within the Department of the Navy, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Joint Staff, the Unified and Specified Commands, and the Defense Agencies. The term "military Services," as used herein, refers to the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, the Marine Corps, and the Coast Guard. This regulation is punitive in nature. Penalties for violation of this regulation include the full range of statutory and regulatory sanctions for military and civilian personnel.

Purpose

a. Updates policy and responsibilities for the Active and Reserve Components of the Military Services on the use of a common aptitude test, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB).

b. The ASVAB is a multiple aptitude test battery. It is one of several criteria to determine eligibility of individuals to enlist in the Armed Forces, to qualify for military schooling and for military job classification. Presently, secondary and post-secondary students and counselors use test scores in combination with a student's personal interests, abilities and preferences to assist counseling and career exploration for direction into best suited civilian and military vocational fields.

c. The ASVAB can be used in both civilian and military career counseling.

d. The ASVAB scores are valid predictors of success in training programs and on-the-job performance for enlisted military occupations.