Some of the problems and trends that are contributing to Army recruiting challenges today are many young people not meeting the suitability health threshold required; the Army states they will not lower the standards. The overall economy has been improving with several states increasing the minimum wages to levels of basic pay that a new Soldier receive. All recruits now must pass the Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT) that controls which, if any, military professional specialty the future Soldiers will be eligible to enlist. Recruits selecting more physically demanding military occupational specialties will have to meet the OPAT standard. There are four physical demand categories under the OPAT, heavy (black), significant (gray),
