How do you feel, knowing that 75% of young Americans cannot make the grade to even be considered for military service?

2015-01-14T09:35:48-05:00

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?

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Jan 14 at 2015 10:20 AM

2015-01-14T10:20:40-05:00

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.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Jan 14 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-01-14T10:23:01-05:00

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.

Response by MAJ Jim Steven made Jan 14 at 2015 11:07 AM

2015-01-14T11:07:07-05:00

I wish this statistic was a little more published...making the military something to stive for, a bit of an exlcusive club.
I say this only because I came from a place where the military seemed to be for people who had not many other options (yet, I am paid more than most of my hometown friends).

Instead of a "money for college" mantra, or even "anyone can serve", maybe they should push an agenda of something along the lines of "if you really think you have what it takes" or something along those lines.

Response by TSgt Tim (lj) Littlejohn made Jan 14 at 2015 11:08 AM

2015-01-14T11:08:29-05:00

If you haven't taken a good look at what a lot of schools across the country are teaching, you should. Common core starting in the first grade, if this new method is really good why are whole states telling the gov. keep your money, we're dropping this? 2nd graders being taught it's ok to have 2 mommy's or 2 daddy's and what it means! Sex ed (co-ed in some places) opposite/same sex feelings are normal, in middle school!! The koran being taught in schools, but Bible can't. If you want to change every thing about a country start with educating the children! Now happening in the U.S.A. More than just sad it's wrong!

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-01-14T15:42:42-05:00

This is the report from November 5, 2009 that gives these figures.
http://cdn.missionreadiness.org/MR-Ready-Willing-Unable.pdf

Response by SSG Lloyd Becker BSBA-HCM, MBA made Jan 15 at 2015 2:58 PM

2015-01-15T14:58:43-05:00

Everyone needs to be worried about raising this generation who has no concept of service to our country. From time to time, I get involved in the education of children, just to get shut down by the school board.

Most school boards conception is only of money, not education, yet, there are a few that care. We are in the change over of curriculum from what we used to know to common core. Common core does not concern itself with correct answers, but it wants an answer.

A lot of us are retired and for the most part can be engaged in the child's education, whereas, some of us are active duty and must transfer their children from one DOD school to the next. This is a problem in itself that the parent cannot get involved in the child's education.

Honor, Duty, Country is being removed from K-12 education, as well as higher education, because of the mindsets of the educators. The best that we can do is counter the education children receive in school by utilizing what we were taught. As military parents, there is no law against them banding together and teach the concepts of serving our country. When I say military, whether you served three years, or 30 years, we still paddle the same boat.

By paddling the same boat, we can teach our children values that we grew up with, so they will have those same values with they have children of their own. We owe it to our country, ourselves and the future generations to come.

Video games are as much as the parent's fault as much as it is the child's fault. Video games are nothing but entertainment, not a way of life. Those who have children in those age groups need to restrict the usage of these games. I grew up when there were no computers, or cellphones. Any computers at that time, the mainframe would fill your living room; only government and big business were able to afford computers.

But for those of us who are retired, or ETS'd, we need to get involved in our school system and start the change process to have Honor, Duty, Country put back in the classrooms.

Response by Sgt Sherry Taylor-Bruce made Jan 15 at 2015 3:42 PM

2015-01-15T15:42:42-05:00

I would like to tell you how proud I am to be a part of a fraternal organization called the Moose, our members support a residential school in Illinois called Mooseheart. The school is for unfortunate kids that don't have a family able to care for them for various reasons. During high school the students are required to participate in ROTC. The students love it especially the girls. Most of the students go on to College with state scholarships and assistance from the Moose. However some are proud to enlist in the military.

Response by SFC George Smith made Nov 15 at 2016 4:46 AM

2016-11-15T04:46:04-05:00

its a sad state of affairs... this nation bas become a nation of Techno Geeks who cant stand up to reality...

Response by MSG Stan Hutchison made Jun 13 at 2021 10:13 AM

2021-06-13T10:13:20-04:00

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.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Jun 13 at 2021 11:52 AM

2021-06-13T11:52:54-04:00

If we fight WWIII we will make hardasses from the softies.

I firmly believe many of the young adults and older teens do not understand the concept of trying their best. For this reason, many have done squat in their lives, they don't know what hard work means, and they truncate their achievements because they lack motivation.

Because some have achieved so little and lived a relatively lethargic life free of many accomplishments, we don't know what they can achieve and where their breaking point is.

My parents had nice houses, cars, and lived a solid middle class life. I provided the same for my children. My parents told me to do my best in school and sports. I told my children the same things. For this narrative I will call parenting a wash between the generations.

In high school I took hard classes, made good grades, played soccer, football, and wrestled. I also snuck out every night to party. I went all out. Like many of you, our parents told us the standards and we just accepted them as this is just life.

I have six kids from two marriages. Three boys and three girls. Brent and Millie settled for GEDs. I saw very little motivation in them in general. No motivations for school and sports. I don't recall ever having a deep conversation with any of them while they were growing up. I don't think they thought much about the society and the world. I witnessed pure laziness. Cleaning their room was impossible for some of them. In retrospect the only interests I saw in them were in regards to food, themselves, electronic media, and bf-gf relationships. As a parent, I am not proud of what my children achieved in high school. Granted having six kids means there is a diffusion of focus as a parent.

I think I finally have that generation figured out. In general many of them never worked hard. If they never worked hard, they would never achieve much. If they do not work hard, then how do know what their constitution is? What can they accomplish? How do we know their breaking point? I firmly believe many are just skating in life.

Response by SFC Randy Hellenbrand made Jun 13 at 2021 7:10 PM

2021-06-13T19:10:20-04:00

So your talking about all of the ones who graduated under W and Trumpski then!! LOL cause that is exactly 75%.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 13 at 2021 7:23 PM

2021-06-13T19:23:06-04:00

I don't have any feelings about it. It makes me think how unhealthy or society is.