Posted on May 17, 2019
71% of young people are ineligible for the military — and most careers, too
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https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/05/14/military-service-most-young-people-dont-qualify-careers/ [login to see] /
The numbers are staggering: Seventy-one percent of young people are ineligible to join the military, according to 2017 Pentagon data. The reasons: obesity, no high school diploma or a criminal record.
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 retired Rear Admiral Thomas Wilson.
That's why Wilson recently raised the issue at a gathering of business and community leaders in York County, Pennsylvania. The 29 percent of 17- to 24-year-olds who are qualified become prime targets for all recruiting: military, college and jobs.
Wilson calls it “a war for the qualified.” Steve Doster, Pennsylvania State director of Military Readiness for Council for a Strong America, agrees it's a problem.
“This is a very real risk to our national security,” Doster said.
The numbers are staggering: Seventy-one percent of young people are ineligible to join the military, according to 2017 Pentagon data. The reasons: obesity, no high school diploma or a criminal record.
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 retired Rear Admiral Thomas Wilson.
That's why Wilson recently raised the issue at a gathering of business and community leaders in York County, Pennsylvania. The 29 percent of 17- to 24-year-olds who are qualified become prime targets for all recruiting: military, college and jobs.
Wilson calls it “a war for the qualified.” Steve Doster, Pennsylvania State director of Military Readiness for Council for a Strong America, agrees it's a problem.
“This is a very real risk to our national security,” Doster said.
71% of young people are ineligible for the military — and most careers, too
Posted from usatoday.comPosted in these groups: 
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Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 3
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This was an issue in the late 70's-early 80's as well. Not an exact comparison but it is not something completely new. thanks for the share shipmate.
https://history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1980/ch05.htm
a few excerpts
"Despite the large gain in total enlistments, the number of recruits with high school diplomas fell about 13,000 short of the target."
1979 "Meanwhile, the number of those eligible to serve continued to decline. At the same time that competition from colleges and the private sector for the shrinking pool of young people of ages 18 to 22 increased, the resources devoted to the recruiting effort decreased"
https://history.army.mil/books/DAHSUM/1980/ch05.htm
a few excerpts
"Despite the large gain in total enlistments, the number of recruits with high school diplomas fell about 13,000 short of the target."
1979 "Meanwhile, the number of those eligible to serve continued to decline. At the same time that competition from colleges and the private sector for the shrinking pool of young people of ages 18 to 22 increased, the resources devoted to the recruiting effort decreased"
Chapter 5: Manning the Army - DAHSUM FY 1980
The President had the authority to resume registration of men, but legislation was required to authorize registration of women. Congress also had to provide the funds needed to revitalize the Selective Service System and finance the registration program. Whereas last year the House of Representatives had defeated a draft registration proposal by a wide margin, this year the funding request was passed 58-34 in the Senate and 234-168 in the...
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It's a prominent goal for parents to see children become successful. However, what is happening to the younger generation is utterly appalling.
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MAJ Javier Rivera
I have to agree MAJ Ken Landgren. To the point that many of the prospects have trouble passing the ASVAB; a high school level test. Gee, even some college folks can’t pass the freaking test!!!!!
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Lets look at these separately:
-Obesity: They are more sedentary than our generation.
-Education: 2 out of 6 of my kids received GEDs. I am not happy with this. When I was young, I felt that education was key to success.
-Crimes: Many of the younger generation have a lack of solid value sets. It's easy to blame the parents, but some kids are unequivocally difficult to raise.
-Obesity: They are more sedentary than our generation.
-Education: 2 out of 6 of my kids received GEDs. I am not happy with this. When I was young, I felt that education was key to success.
-Crimes: Many of the younger generation have a lack of solid value sets. It's easy to blame the parents, but some kids are unequivocally difficult to raise.
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