Fit enought for service (military)
Posted by Mike Sylvester - 11/17/09 @ 2:04 pm - Filed Under Uncategorized
A ‘local newspaper” had an article entitled “fit enough for service.”
This article states that “75% of the nation’s 17 - 24 year olds are ineligible to join the military because they are either too physically unfit, have a criminal record, or have not graduated from high school.”
I joined the military 20 years ago. I have never been in good shape; however, I easily qualified. I do not have a criminal record. I felt that the entrance scores were a complete joke.
It is appalling that only one quarter of our young men and women qualify to join our military. It is also extremely sad…
Mike Sylvester
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7 Responses to “Fit enought for service (military)”
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I agree, this is an appalling statistic ( but maybe good they avoid the military!). Is this evidence that the US needs an education, social and healthcare system which works?
My grandpa fought in WWII and he was a high school dropout. So look at it on the bright side: The military has raised its standards over the years. Would you expect anything less from the finest fighting force in the world? Only the best of the best belong in our modern military. Do you really want fat slobs like me on the front lines?
Consider this:
During the Civil War and World War I you did not need to know how to read to serve in the Army.
In other ways, the military has become more inclusive. During the American Revolution and the Civil War, about 50% of the population was barred from serving on account of their gender. So at any point in US history, most young people were barred from frontline service.
Even more disturbing, is the fact that just because someone is gay, it is grounds for dismissal in the U.S. military.
FYI - over 13,000 U.S. military troops have been discharged from duty since the don’t ask/don’t tell policy was implemented in 1993.
The sooner the U.S. military ends this asinine practice the much better off our country will be…
“Have not graduated high school” . . . perhaps now it is time to finally examine education in our country. If the military can’t take more than 1:4 of our students, maybe that is the best indicator of where our country currently stands.
I was just thinking about the number of young people criminal records. The US has the highest incarceration rate in the world. Either we have too many laws, or we have really, really good law enforcement. Hats off to the men in blue!
Well, call me skeptical, but I find that pretty hard to believe. 75%? I don’t think so. I read their “Press Release” but didn’t see any hard facts, just the same statements the “local newspaper” stated.
Just thinking back one of my sons graduation this year from high school, looking over that crowd of graduates I find it very hard to believe that 75% couldn’t qualify…
Sounds more like Arne Duncan is massaging numbers to beat the drums for Dept Of Ed.
Seriously, walk in any High School and look around.
Tim,
The number seemed high to me at first; however, when you walk around the school can you tell which students have a criminal record? Can you tell which students will drop out of high school? Can you tell which students will graduate high school; yet, still be unable to get a passing score on the military academic entrance exam (ASVAB)?
About the only thing you could tell walking around high school is you could probably make a reasonable guess about the number of students who could pass the physical…
Mike