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75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty

 
Only Me
Strawberry Girl

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11/04/2009 02:46 PM

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75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
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 75 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.

"We've never had this problem of young people being obese like we have today," said Gen. John Shalikashvili, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

He calls the rising number of youth unfit for duty a matter of national security. "We should be concerned about how this will impact this overstretched Army and its ability to recruit."

Shalikashvili is among dozens of retired generals, admirals and civilian Pentagon officials who have banded together as Mission Readiness: Military Leaders for Kids. The group, which includes former NATO commander and presidential candidate Wesley Clark, will appear with Secretary of Education Arne Duncan at the National Press Club on Thursday to urge immediate action to reduce dropout rates and improve the physical and moral fitness of the nation's youth.

They will cite research that shows quality early childhood education raises graduation rates by up to 44 percent and reduces the odds of being arrested for a violent crime by age 18.

Douglas Smith of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command said 2008 data shows about three in 10 youths have an initial barrier to enlistment.

Most aren't insurmountable. "If you're overweight, we tell you to come back when you've lost the weight. If you don't score well on the armed forces aptitude test, we suggest you study and take it again," he said.

Between 2004 and 2008, the Army more than doubled the number of "conduct" waivers it granted to would-be soldiers with criminal or misdemeanor records. The loosened standards proved necessary in a time of war and amid a booming economy that forced military recruiters to work overtime to fill the ranks.

The new warnings about a generation of couch potatoes comes just weeks after the Pentagon announced its best recruiting year since the all-volunteer force began in 1974. The economic meltdown and rising unemployment, combined with bigger military bonuses and benefits, enticed hundreds of thousands to enlist despite the inevitability most would be sent to war.

The plethora of would-be recruits allowed the military services to be choosier after years of taking in more high school dropouts and those needing extra physical training to meet weight requirements.

Recruiting may have gotten easier, but "the good times don't stay forever," warned David Segal, a University of Maryland military sociologist. When the economy recovers and young people are able to get jobs or can afford to go to college, the military will be faced with the same out-of-shape, ill-prepared pool of recruits as before.

"Recruiting will get tough again," he said. "The trend line is clear: The youth population is getting less healthy."




[link to www.sphere.com]
Goodbye, halcyon days...

 There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory mentioned, which states that this has already happened.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 02:49 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
More investment in our youth? Bloody hell why not just lower standards?
Only Me  (OP)
Strawberry Girl

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11/04/2009 02:49 PM

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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
More investment in our youth? Bloody hell why not just lower standards?
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 413833

tomato
Goodbye, halcyon days...

 There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory mentioned, which states that this has already happened.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 02:51 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
More investment in our youth? Bloody hell why not just lower standards?

tomato
 Quoting: Only Me

I guess you missed the sarcasm....hehehehehehe
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 02:52 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
I don't think they'll have many John COnnors signing up
mystylplx

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11/04/2009 02:52 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
And on a related note--

[link to www.ebaumsworld.com]
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 02:54 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
but the brain-dead are perfect for Obama's youth brigade
Rev. Stargazer

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11/04/2009 02:57 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
Well, that puts my son in the upper 25 percent! He got the highest possible score on his Army entrance exam.

Private and homeschool education all the way.
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstein

revstargazer (at) hotmail.com
Only Me  (OP)
Strawberry Girl

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11/04/2009 02:58 PM

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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
I don't think they'll have many John COnnors signing up
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 810358

lol no i caught it...i was just throwing someething at you
Goodbye, halcyon days...

 There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory mentioned, which states that this has already happened.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:01 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
the enemy is our own govt, so by joining you become what you should be fighting.
Rev. Stargazer

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11/04/2009 03:03 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
the enemy is our own govt, so by joining you become what you should be fighting.
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 793943


You are mistaken. The miltary may be our only hope. Ever hear of the Oathkeepers?
"Imagination is more important than knowledge" - Albert Einstein

revstargazer (at) hotmail.com
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:06 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
the enemy is our own govt, so by joining you become what you should be fighting.


You are mistaken. The miltary may be our only hope. Ever hear of the Oathkeepers?
 Quoting: Rev. Stargazer


if it wasnt for the military the revolution would have already happened!, the military industrial complex IS our controller. they spend billions taking over the world while the citizsens starve at home. They deserve no more respect than the roman troops and preists got when Rome fell.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:07 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
I guess this is a good thing for America enemies.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:08 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
75% of Young Americans are GAY !!!
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:10 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
the enemy is our own govt, so by joining you become what you should be fighting.


You are mistaken. The miltary may be our only hope. Ever hear of the Oathkeepers?
 Quoting: Rev. Stargazer

putin
Ricfly52

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11/04/2009 03:12 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
I was kinda shocked when I read that article online this morning. Thanks for posting it.

At first I thought it could not be right, but then when you think about it. For instance there are three boys about age 11 or so who play around in our neighbor hood after school. One boy has a bad limp so that puts him out, boy #2 is so fat you can barely tell whether he is walking or rolling, and boy #3 is, well, he looks more like a little girl, than a boy.
Fishing and skiing keeps me a little sane.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:15 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
When I was in school, we had recess after lunch, we also has recess for about 15 - 20 in am and in pm. We had real food for lunch. We rode bikes. We participated in the President's Fitness Program and won patches for being about to run, pull ups, sit ups, etc. Now the kids aren't allowed outside anymore... they eat crap at school and at home. The only protest at some schools where the administration wanted to bring McDonalds in as the food provider was "that's what we give them at night".

We dug our own graves
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:18 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
Today's youth are pure shit. I despise them.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:21 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
They're ALL Liberals.
Only Me  (OP)
Strawberry Girl

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11/04/2009 03:26 PM

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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
I was kinda shocked when I read that article online this morning. Thanks for posting it.

At first I thought it could not be right, but then when you think about it. For instance there are three boys about age 11 or so who play around in our neighbor hood after school. One boy has a bad limp so that puts him out, boy #2 is so fat you can barely tell whether he is walking or rolling, and boy #3 is, well, he looks more like a little girl, than a boy.
 Quoting: Ricfly52


I know what you mean. I wonder though, if it doesn't lead the way for a more intellectual fighting though. Kids are incredibly clever, especially the ones in my son's generation. They have a sense of entitlement that is ridiculous but put that together with the government wanting to control everything. What would these kids do? Nothing stupid like fight physically for a revolution.

just passing thoughts....and no I don't condone unhealthy children. My son is very active and eats raw veggies/fruit along with a high-fiber diet. he snacks on carrots and celery like most kids snack on chips.
Goodbye, halcyon days...

 There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory mentioned, which states that this has already happened.
Aquarius 7

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11/04/2009 03:29 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
//... or had run-ins with the law. //...
 Quoting: Only Me

. .

First they destroy our youth by throwing God and morals out of the schools.

Then they complain because too many of our youth "have run-ins with the law".

DUH!

. .
.

Cayce: “… The greater portion of Japan must go into the sea. …. then we may know it has begun …”. www.near-death.com/experiences/cayce11.html
.
"Be kind, for everyone you know is fighting a hard battle" - Plato
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"Those who are at peace in their hearts already are in the Great Shelter of life." ~ Hopi Prophecy
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Winningjob

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11/04/2009 03:30 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
...the reason they are NOT taking prior service again is? Oh, that's right us U.S. veterans are terrorists.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:31 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
They want all illegals int he army.

Not that they're any better.

Probably can run 20 miles though.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:33 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
Well, that puts my son in the upper 25 percent! He got the highest possible score on his Army entrance exam.

Private and homeschool education all the way.
 Quoting: Rev. Stargazer



Great, so they can kill off all the smart strong men, and keep the stupid knuckle dragging breeders like Clevons alive and on the dole. What the fuck is this about?
Fat Draft Dodger
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11/04/2009 03:40 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
Being overweight is my natural defense against a godless draft into a godless war. If there were ever a need for me to defend my country against a legitimate threat on the homeland I'd lose the weight quickly on my own.
As it stands now, our military basic training has become so sissified that I can fully expect them not to recycle me unto the pounds disappear. Instead, they will likely write me off as a lost cause or ask me to leave.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:47 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
I hope you are feeling better Only Me! When you go to sleep relax your forehead and get rid of all the worries on your mind. Things will look up! hf
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 03:53 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
Good. That's 3/4 of them that won't get their lives wasted fighting for oil, money, land, and JEEESUS.


It should be law that any kid that signs up for the military should have to watch a 3 hour video on returning vets, their lack of treatment, their mental issues, etc.


See that you don't come back a hero, you come back homeless more than likely.
Only Me  (OP)
Strawberry Girl

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11/04/2009 03:55 PM

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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
...the reason they are NOT taking prior service again is? Oh, that's right us U.S. veterans are terrorists.
 Quoting: Winningjob


That's the truth, isn't it?


I hope you are feeling better Only Me! When you go to sleep relax your forehead and get rid of all the worries on your mind. Things will look up! hf
 Quoting: Anonymous Coward 809763


Thanks :)
Goodbye, halcyon days...

 There is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable.

There is another theory mentioned, which states that this has already happened.
ex-vet
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11/04/2009 04:06 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
There is no justified war from DC.

Supporting the military supports DC, who supports abortion, illegal alien invasion, and crashing the economy, and all other evils from the wicked washington.

Military is not an option to the poverty draft.
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 04:08 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
Just how physically fit do you have to be to sit in a room in Virginia and control a drone aircraft to shoot missiles in pakistan via a computer?
Anonymous Coward
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11/04/2009 04:09 PM
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Re: 75 Percent of Young Americans Are Unfit for Military Duty
A young, naive 17 year old can be sent out to have his life on the line, yet that same 17 year old can't get alcohol in the US. Can't even get cigarettes at 17.

I think 30 and up is prime age for military service these days. At least make the minimum 21, same as the legal age of drinking. 25-30 is about good beginner ages.

We all know why they go for younger... Because it's easier to warp and brainwash a child's mind. A lot of this kids still live at home before being sent away for military service. It creates a separation anxiety and they have to adapt to the new environment. An older guy is generally smarter and has better common sense to buy into their brainwashing tactics. Although, if an older guy like that wants to join, he's better fit because his mind is focuses and he would be better determined.





GLP