Posted on Jan 14, 2015
How do you feel, knowing that 75% of young Americans cannot make the grade to even be considered for military service?
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Growing up in a family where most had served in the military, and many more were planning on serving at some point, our lifestyle was such that we didn't think much of being eligible for the military, we simply assumed we would be.
School was a given, as were early morning and afternoon chores, because that is what my parents expected of us, and quite frankly, the only people I knew who would not be able to join the military, were a few friends who'd had physical problems in childhood such as asthma or accidents of some sort that left them with a disability.
I worry now, that we are raising a generation who have no concept of service to our country, that I wonder who will pick up the torch when we have handed it off. So many are overweight by a LOT, have no drive or ambition to be better than they are... have no diploma, and certainly no wish to do something other than play video games, that I have to wonder, of the supposed, 25% of young adults who are eligible for military service, how do we reach them, in this day and age?
School was a given, as were early morning and afternoon chores, because that is what my parents expected of us, and quite frankly, the only people I knew who would not be able to join the military, were a few friends who'd had physical problems in childhood such as asthma or accidents of some sort that left them with a disability.
I worry now, that we are raising a generation who have no concept of service to our country, that I wonder who will pick up the torch when we have handed it off. So many are overweight by a LOT, have no drive or ambition to be better than they are... have no diploma, and certainly no wish to do something other than play video games, that I have to wonder, of the supposed, 25% of young adults who are eligible for military service, how do we reach them, in this day and age?
Posted in these groups: 
Military Family
Military service
Military Family Military service
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 12
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Sounds like a program with the youth, their parents, and the way that this country attempts to raise people. We have become soft and pushed an "everybody is a winner" mentality. It has lead to many young people (of my peer group and generation) not to understand how to work hard or earn anything in life.
We need to fix this Politically Correct namby pamby BS and get back to teaching that life is hard and it sucks, but you can deal with it.
We need to fix this Politically Correct namby pamby BS and get back to teaching that life is hard and it sucks, but you can deal with it.
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I am disappointed in the parents of todays youth, as I work diligently myself to raise kids capable of serving, not to serve, but capable to meet the requirements. My oldest daughter was in JROTC (I had nothing to do with it) and achieved her own goals set for herself. Then she came to me and said she wanted help applying for ALL the academies. I did, she was accepted by the Navy for the Prep School and off she went. However, I am struggling with issues with the 14 year old as I type this and his situational awareness and drive are just not there. As a leader in the military, I have found no way to motivate this young man to date. He is physically capable, however, I am sad to say that right this very minute I would NOT want him in my formation.
There is a lot of media about the military growing their own (our kids serve as we have served) and how certain family strains are revolving the door of service (much like NASCAR used to be). The fact remains that I am disappointed in parenting which would correct a lot of the deficiencies the youth has today medically and mentally from serving.
There is a lot of media about the military growing their own (our kids serve as we have served) and how certain family strains are revolving the door of service (much like NASCAR used to be). The fact remains that I am disappointed in parenting which would correct a lot of the deficiencies the youth has today medically and mentally from serving.
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1LT Voyle Smith
I worry about my nine year old grandson. He’s a bright kid but all he wants to do is play video games.
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A lot of interesting remarks posted here. I do see a strong lean toward "it's the schools." Not so sure that is the correct answer.
I believe it is our entire social system at present. Too many "haves" versus "have nots." Too much partisianship in our politics. We have developed into a "us versus them" society.
We shoud strive for more unity, not division. Then perhaps our youth would be inspired to protect that unity.
Now, go ahead and tell us how your side wants this but the "other" side does not.
I believe it is our entire social system at present. Too many "haves" versus "have nots." Too much partisianship in our politics. We have developed into a "us versus them" society.
We shoud strive for more unity, not division. Then perhaps our youth would be inspired to protect that unity.
Now, go ahead and tell us how your side wants this but the "other" side does not.
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