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TexasTowelie

(128,014 posts) Tue May 14, 2019, 01:41 PM May 2019

71% of young people are ineligible for the military and for most careers, too [View all]

Retired Rear Admiral Thomas Wilson worries about how many young people are ineligible for the military - because the numbers are staggering.

According to 2017 Pentagon data, 71 percent of young people are ineligible to join the military. The reasons: obesity, no high school diploma, or a criminal record.

“This is a very real risk to our national security,” said Steve Doster, Pennsylvania State director of Military Readiness for Council for a Strong America.

The problem isn't just a military one, though. It's an issue for businesses as well because the vast majority of that age group isn't eligible for many jobs either, said Wilson, a former Naval officer, now in Biglerville.

Read more: https://www.ydr.com/story/news/2019/05/14/military-service-most-young-people-dont-qualify-careers/1185816001/
(York Daily Record)

32 replies

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71% of young people are ineligible for the military and for most careers, too [View all] TexasTowelie May 2019 OP

That's okay because IQ45 wants millions to fight Iran. He'll take anybody as long as sinkingfeeling May 2019 #1

Eric Prince is standing at the ready WhiteTara May 2019 #23

I wonder how many records are reflective of marijuana arrests. Must be some percent. dameatball May 2019 #2

I don't get it...if they just need cannon fodder, none of the factors mentioned would matter n/t anarch May 2019 #3

Today's military is not so much cannon fodder as it used to be. marybourg May 2019 #5

true, but that might change under this administration anarch May 2019 #8

I think they should let the fat donnie supporters re enlist and fight that new war he's planning in kimbutgar May 2019 #4

Who will staff the 120,000 soldiers required for Bolton and democratisphere May 2019 #6

National Guard. Wellstone ruled May 2019 #14

The linked article does not say how Bettie May 2019 #7

It listed the reasons in the second paragraph. GoCubsGo May 2019 #12

And also speaks very poorly for the future of the US. n/t RKP5637 May 2019 #15

I don't buy the 71% figure. GoCubsGo May 2019 #24

Thanks for the analysis!!! RKP5637 May 2019 #25

That specifies military rules Bettie May 2019 #20

It said "MANY jobs." GoCubsGo May 2019 #22

sorry, you can't kill brown kids for oil with that weed ticket on your record samir.g May 2019 #9

Sure you can - join a militia and go hunting in the Sonoran desert. Donnie will give you an award! Runningdawg May 2019 #11

When Trump starts his war trev May 2019 #10

tRump's supposed to be a pillar of health per his dr. Send him in first, yep!!! n/t RKP5637 May 2019 #16

How did that happen? gratuitous May 2019 #13

Gonna need a bigger Group W bench Beausoleil May 2019 #17

War makes most everyone eligible. Kaleva May 2019 #18

Yup. n/t tazkcmo May 2019 #28

My Dad knew a guy who was drafted in WWII and was missing his trigger finger Kaleva May 2019 #29

Well that's one way to give peace malaise May 2019 #19

They have grown too picky for recruits. Opel_Justwax May 2019 #21

I was recalled to active duty for Oil War One aka Desert Storm tazkcmo May 2019 #27

Oh poo. tazkcmo May 2019 #26

The biggest problem is very few smart people want to kill innocent Muslims because Hoyt May 2019 #30

I don't remember if it was WW I or II that they lowered requirements. LiberalFighter May 2019 #31

I don't see how obesity impacts most careers. NutmegYankee May 2019 #32