This Speaks For Itself!!

[HARDCORE]

http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniont...3recruits.html

COX NEWS SERVICE

September 23, 2005

WASHINGTON ? More than half of young people are not qualified to serve in the military because they can't meet entry level standards for health, education and other requirements, a government study released yesterday said.

In 2004, there were about 24 million people ages 16 to 21 in the United States, the prime recruiting age for the military. Of those, 58 percent, or about 14 million, are ineligible for service.

Of the remaining 10 million, 6 million go on to college ? leaving only 4 million that the Pentagon can try to recruit.

There is also less propensity among youth to want to join the military. For example, the number of blacks attracted to the military has been on the decline for three or four years, in part because of the influence of parents, coaches, teachers and church leaders who are less likely to encourage military service.

The Army has been struggling to meet recruitment goals, a situation recruiters blame on nightly news footage of the carnage in Iraq and attractive employment alternatives to military service. It has responded by adding at least 1,000 recruiters and offering sign-up bonuses to recruits worth up to $90,000 in cash and college tuition payments. In addition, the Army is spending millions of dollars on television, print and radio ads targeting parents, coaches, teachers and others.

The accountability office report, requested by Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, and Rep. Charles Rangel, D-N.Y., the ranking member of the House Ways and Means Committee, also found that most military reservists who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan came from rural and urban areas, as opposed to suburban areas.

The report found that 58 percent of the reservists who died were middle class and 29 percent were poor, as determined by the U.S. military though the use of commercial marketing software and ZIP code information.

In addition, the report found that the military is becoming more racially diverse. It also has more women and more soldiers who are married and have children.

Blacks are overrepresented in the military, constituting 17 percent of personnel, while only 11 percent of the civilian work force. Hispanics, on the contrary, are underrepresented, partly because of high school dropout rates, which could disqualify them for service, the report said. Hispanics constitute 9 percent of the military and 11 percent of the civilian work force. Whites make up 67 percent of the military and 71 percent of the civilian work force.

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After you have read this, I invite you to read about a case that totally goes contrary to the Pentagon's Recruitment rationale...

I personally know of a young Navy man (mid to late 20s) who has served honorably for some 8 years, received numerous commendations, has always given far more than was requested or required of him, is well thought of in the military and community alike, is in good health (Physically, mentally and morally), and desires to make the Navy a career. Yet, because of (so called) High Year Tenure, this young boatswain mate, may be forced out of the service! "What a helluva waste of training, talent, patriotism and money!!"

Let me add that part of the kid's difficulties came from a cheating wife! However, through all of this and more, this kid hung tough. His patriotism is beyond questioning, his desire to serve his nation outstanding, and his grade scores were not all that bad either. "As a matter of fact, his superiors have even recommended him for retention and advancement within the Navy!"

Now I ask you, how many of our enemies, including those in Iraq and Afghanistan, can field people such as this? And yet, even with the lamenting and cajoling of certain Powers That Be in the piece that I have enclosed above, the military, especially in this time of national need, would turn away a fine lad such as this?

Granted, he may not have studied as diligently as he could have (such is often a problem with youth), even considering the marital difficulties that he went through (now resolved)! And although a different test was given than he prepared for, he makes no excuses!! However, to cast aside such talent and dedication when this nation's recruitment is hurting, is oxymoronic and just plain foolish in my opinion!

And alas, the reaching out that was promised to him, just never came to pass, to my knowledge!!

"Now read the article that preceded this piece once again, and you too may feel that something is indeed amiss here, if not downright hypocritical?"

"The kid in question has no knowledge of this letter, and he would probably not approve of my penning it, but sometimes a friend (a real friend), has to overstep certain bounds!!"

There certainly has to be a place in the military for a young man such as this, and the educational expenses that this kid is entitled to as a result of his honorable service, would certainly entail far more expense than keeping him in the service where he can do the most good for his nation!! :cd:

VERITAS (Truth)

[Jerry D]

I never did like the High year tenure for the enlisted ranks either. If you meet the standards for your MOS you should be able to continue serving in the Military till you have done your 30 years if you so choose. Many a good military person has been discharged since the High Year tenure was instated to reduce manning durring the peace dividend era of the US . Now that we aren't in them days any more it's time to eliminate some of them high year boot them out before retirement rules and let the members who want to serve their country during war time to serve!

BTW, what happend to all them Gays and Lesbians that wanted to join the military during peace time, for the benifits at:cd: Now that the rank and file could care less about their bed partners while the bullets are flying in Iraq?? Oops I forgot their all good Kerry Democrats and It's not their war to fight against terrorism and their spokes person Micky Moore says so!

[MORTARDUDE]

The high school graduation rate in the USA is about 68%..this after trillions of dollars ( in 2005 dollars ) have been spent ( read > wasted ) since 1955 when most of us were just starting school. This is money spent by the Dept. of Education ( which should have been abolished during the Reagan administration as he wanted to ... ) at the federal level..and countless programs at the state and local level......When students enter their freshman year of college now, many face a year or more of "remedial" courses to get them to college level...

I have resigned myself to the fact that most Americans who send their kids to public schools do not care about the above statistics, because they still vote for the same school board members and politicians who proclaim every election cycle "that they are for more money for education" and just wind up perpetuating this tragic situation....

This is a big reason why many young people cannot get into the military.

Larry

[Jerry D]

some good points ya'all

My Dad ,a High School Teacher, once told me why Johnny can't read. He said it was because most parents don't take the time to read to them and help them learn. The babysitter today the School teacher is supposed to do it all now days. But the teachers hands are tied because they can't paddle kids anymore if there is a discipline problem it's the teachers fault says most parents that can't believe there little angels could possibly be that way. At home most kids don't do chores anymore, they just play video games and watch TV. In fact most children today have a 20 inch colour TV in their Bedroom with a VCR and DVD player. We were lucky to have a AM Transistor Radio to listen to with that little mono-earplug stuck in our ear so as not to disturb our parents that worked hard to put a roof over our heads and clothes for us to wear to school where our job was to Learn all the teacher taught us and if we misbehaved in class the teacher didn't have to call our parents they just paddled us and when we got home and we were asked what happened in School we actually told them about the spankin' and were ready for the additional spankings that mom or dad gave us it was not a point to argue over it just was. DFACS wasn't something kids held over their parents like the Sword of Damocles like todays kids do.
We the USA used to be Second to no one in educating our kids now we are behind most of NATO countries. We used to manufacture good sold around the world now we are known for the famous saying "would you like fries with that?"

[HARDCORE]

Jerry D

Ain't it the truth [unfortunately]!!!!

Rick