70 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty

[dhermesc]

WASHINGTON (Nov. 3) -- Are America's youth too fat, dumb or dishonest to defend the nation against its enemies?


The latest Army statistics show a stunning 70 percent of military-age youth are ineligible to join the military because they are overweight, can't pass entrance exams, have dropped out of high school or had run-ins with the law.

So many young people between the prime recruiting ages of 17 and 24 cannot meet minimum standards that a group of retired military leaders is calling for more investment in early childhood education to combat the insidious effects of junk food and inadequate education.

Please note - this story states that 70% of the total population between 17 and 24 is unfit to serve - not that 70% of those trying to enlist are not fit to serve. Imagine, 70% of the next generation rate below Forest Gump.

[Archetype_wyo]

I can fire all my weapons with Minute of Invader Accuracy. I can defend my country and loved ones should an invasion happen.

[chucksnee]

Just think, up until a few months ago....the Army would take any person they could get there hands on......even those with criminal back grounds....

THis is my opinion only, but some of the people who have enlisted don't need to be in the Army anyway....the bad thing is they tell you that to yuor face.....i'm jsut in it for the college money....4 years and i'm out....

[LarryO1970]

... it IS an entitlement for service ... I will not (personally) hold that against them. It's better than those who demand they are owed something for nothing in current society. At least those are the college kids who actually are applying themselves instead of whining that they aren't 'being taken care of' ...

... the real servicemen and women are those who stay in after their first enlistment.

Larry O

[chucksnee]

It is an entitlment, BUT, when they want nothing to do with the Army, bash the Army, and do just enough to get through their enlistment, there lies the problem.....

[LarryO1970]

Originally Posted by chucksnee

It is an entitlment, BUT, when they want nothing to do with the Army, bash the Army, and do just enough to get through their enlistment, there lies the problem.....

... of course, there will always be people like that, however ... not 70% of them.

... which is why I'm Air Force.

[chucksnee]

I never said 70% I said "some." Was just statying a point....

AF is o.k. but I have seen bad/dumb/ignorant and everything else, more so in the Army...but still have seen it in the AF.

But, the AF does have the hottest women....

[LarryO1970]

... the 70% crack wasn't at you ... more of picking on the article itself. Frankly, I do not quite agree with their 'assessment'.

... there were reasons why I joined the USAF ... and the percentage of women was one of the criteria! lol ...

[dhermesc]

Actually I thought it was stunning stat for an entire generation. Imagine if they aren't physically or mentally fit for the armed forces, what are they fit for? They certainly can't be firemen, police officers, truck drivers, mechanics, engineers or doctors that any healthy nation needs to prosper. Couple the declining productivity with the future cost in health care and prisons and the decline will also be astounding. After the Great Depression the armed forces had only a 43% rejection rate - after nearly a decade of malnutrition and limited social services for education and medical care. Children that grew up in one of the richest periods of this country's history are now in worse physical and mental condition.

[LarryO1970]

... all the more reason that these youth programs such as the commercials promoting 60 minutes of play for kids ... needs to include teens and adults as well.

... still, that 70% number is as fuzzy as the Govt. jobs 'saved or created' numbers.

[chucksnee]

Originally Posted by LarryO1970

... all the more reason that these youth programs such as the commercials promoting 60 minutes of play for kids ... needs to include teens and adults as well.

... still, that 70% number is as fuzzy as the Govt. jobs 'saved or created' numbers.

I agree, that 70% is of how many...it's not the entire nation...they may have done a survey of 1000....maybe....

[roverboy]

Forest Gump.
Actually in the movie he was a great soldier.

[sea_chicken1]

About 90% of people don't join the military to stay in for life. There is nothing wrong with doing a tour and getting out. I plan on getting out after my second tour because the retirement plan sucks. The most I would get is 40% of my base pay witch is half of the pay I get because they pay you half of your paycheck in special pays so 40% of what you earn is only about 25% in reality. I can stay reserves after 8 years and pull in the same medical coverage for my family and about the same in retirement. I like my job I would just like to get out and get paid for what I do.

[dhermesc]

Originally Posted by sea_chicken1

About 90% of people don't join the military to stay in for life. .

Agreed. Could you imagine the army trying to fight a war with a bunch of 40+ year old enlisted men? The army only wants a select few for more than a few years.

[pajaro]

i seem to recall the federal government originally sponsored the school lunch problem in the early 1940's because too many draftees were unfit because of poor nourishment during their childhood years......

we've gone from too little to too much..... other affluent countries have the same problem. too much fatty food, too little exercise.....

[iflylow74]

I teach at a 2 year college and see lots of the young men this article is talking about. I would have to agree for the most part this generation is out of shape.

The funny thing is, even the skinny ones are out of shape Many can't jog 50 yards without gasping for air like they ran for miles. Most of them detest being outside too, I guess they've spent way to much time inside playing Xbox.

[chucksnee]

Originally Posted by sea_chicken1

About 90% of people don't join the military to stay in for life. There is nothing wrong with doing a tour and getting out. I plan on getting out after my second tour because the retirement plan sucks. The most I would get is 40% of my base pay witch is half of the pay I get because they pay you half of your paycheck in special pays so 40% of what you earn is only about 25% in reality. I can stay reserves after 8 years and pull in the same medical coverage for my family and about the same in retirement. I like my job I would just like to get out and get paid for what I do.

What are you talking about? Your pay check is 40% special pay?

You will get 40% - 50% of your base pay. Also, when you retire from the Active Army you get your retirement check the next month....Reservist get there retirement check at 65....

[Rambo]

If one looks around anywhere in this country, 70% of all Americans are out of shape. Children follow the lead of their parents so it's no wonder.

[White Rook]

Originally Posted by iflylow74

I teach at a 2 year college and see lots of the young men this article is talking about. I would have to agree for the most part this generation is out of shape.

The funny thing is, even the skinny ones are out of shape Many can't jog 50 yards without gasping for air like they ran for miles. Most of them detest being outside too, I guess they've spent way to much time inside playing Xbox.

Playing video games on line, the Internet, text messaging, 150 TV stations and sleeping 10 hours a day and going to school doesn't leave our younger generation a lot of time to go outside and do something physical....

[Dragunov]

Originally Posted by dhermesc

Please note - this story states that 70% of the total population between 17 and 24 is unfit to serve - not that 70% of those trying to enlist are not fit to serve. Imagine, 70% of the next generation rate below Forest Gump.

And THIS is what O(s)bama wants to build his "civilian security force" from.

Riiiiiiight!