During the Vietnam War, McNamara created the “100,000 Program,” under which the Navy accepted people who were too stupid to pass the Navy’s basic IQ test. Many were alcoholics or had a criminal history. Such people immediately fell into the most menial rolls in the squadron. As Line Division Officer, they ended-up working for me. It was a disaster. They towed airplanes into the sides of hangars. They were UA and one of my guys simply deserted. Another decided he wanted a beer and drove his tractor through the base fence and into Cavite City to get one. Another was an alcoholic who had been thrown-out of the Army for his alcoholism, so naturally the Navy took him and allowed him to keep his rank (E-5). He missed movement back from the PI and showed-up a week later, still drunk. Each of these guys were called “Pink Pagers” because their personnel records started with a bright red page, warning the command of who and what they were under the “100,000 Program.” Along with Zumwalt being CNO at the time, the Navy was badly hindered in doing its job.
Whenever the AF recruiting goals lagged, someone would bring up the idea of lowering entrance requirements. The Navy’s 100,000 program was always the response. I didn’t realize that it was another McNamara policy. I’m surprised he didn’t force it on the AF like he did the F-111 and the M-16.