We can't make people feel bad for their "lifestyle choices." Standards are made to be lowered.
Right?
Posted on 03/13/2006 8:19:55 AM PST by bnelson44
WASHINGTON - Uncle Sam wants YOU, that famous Army recruiting poster says. But does he really? Not if you're a Ritalin-taking, overweight, Generation Y couch potato - or some combination of the above.
As for that fashionable "body art" that the military still calls a tattoo, having one is grounds for rejection, too.
With U.S. casualties rising in wars overseas and more opportunities in the civilian work force from an improved U.S. economy, many young people are shunning a career in the armed forces. But recruiting is still a two-way street - and the military, too, doesn't want most people in this prime recruiting age group of 17 to 24.
Of some 32 million Americans now in this group, the Army deems the vast majority too obese, too uneducated, too flawed in some way, according to its estimates for the current budget year.
"As you look at overall population and you start factoring out people, many are not eligible in the first place to apply," said Doug Smith, spokesman for the Army Recruiting Command.
(Excerpt) Read more at military.com ...
Last year a lady in my church said her husband -- who is in his 40s -- commented that a lot of the younger recruits were in worse shape than he was. They often get sent home early.
Why -- that's discrimination! To tell someone that they are not fit to be in the military is just outrageous! How long has this been going on? [/sarcasm]
"WE"RE DOOMED!!!"
Somebody at the AP seriously screwed-up... this story does not fit the "The Draft is On the Way" template.
Yeah... but they have very high self-esteem!
I know someone who was on a medication (for seizures) that is also used for treating bi-polar disorder. It only took a letter and in he went. Moreover, as it turns out people on the meds for bi-polar were getting in. I suppose it all depends on what job your are going to be doing.
I know someone who was bipolar who did not get in.
Well, duh. The military has been raising standards to avoid the dregs.
They still do. But they want a fighting chance at it from the start, so there are some minimum physical requirements.
And I'm old. :)
yeah, but it fits the 'we're all gonna die from McDonalds if the bird flu don't get us first' template.
I'm afraid I will get hepatitis from these freaks.
Hmmm I thought you couldn't get in if you were on maintenance medications of any kind.
Watch out for that bottom number. If it hits Zero, you dead.
bump
that must have depressed them and yet elated them at the same time.
Yes, but the Army needs Doctors and Lawyers.
The main reason for the rejection of so many is the health care costs associated with the military. The health care budget for the DOD runs into the billions of dollars. They want people who are healthy and defect free so they don't have to assist anybody with special needs. Makes it a much easier and more efficient ship.
The same is true for the top number.
If your on patrol always walk behind the fat kid!
We can't make people feel bad for their "lifestyle choices." Standards are made to be lowered.
Right?
"I know someone who was on a medication (for seizures)"
As a former recruiter for the US Marines, The someone you knew was frauded in. ANY history of seizures is a non-waiverable ailment. There are a lot of recruiters out there who will do, say or hide anything to make quota.
I've even seen some go so far as to "grant" fake waivers to a kid and tell'em they don't have to say anything to the processing doctors.
All these types of recruiters do, is put other servicemen in danger to make a number. How would you like to be on patrol with a guy who goes into a seziure?
There are reasons for standards, they save lives and give us the greatest military in the world.
Semper Fidelis
Give me a few months with the lard-a$$es...
Let's just say he was beside himself.
There are lots of disqualifiers for joining the Army. But at the same time, nearly anything is waiverable.
If you are thinking of joining the Army (or any of the other services), don't let this article discourage you.
I had a similar experience at a popular pastry shop in Harvard Square about a week ago.With all those piercings,I'm surprised I didn't see anyone with a plate in his/her lower lip.
"As for that fashionable "body art" that the military still calls a tattoo, having one is grounds for rejection, too."
I never knew that. Tattoos are hideous, of course, but why are they a disqualifier?
Your question about tattoos is answered here:
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/army/l/blartattoo.htm
Okay, that makes sense. So, it's pretty much tattoos that would show, or send inappropriate messages (which I think ANY tattoo does, but that's just me). Thanks.
The solution would be to have a special 1-2 pre-enlistment program, where would-be recruits are knocked into shape, phsyically and mentally. A significant chunk of these rejects are living on various sorts of public assistance (subsidized housing, Medicaid, and student financial aid for questionable academic and vocational programs), while making little or no progress towards becoming competent, self-sufficient adults. The money would be better spent on putting them into a military environment where physical and academic education would actually happen. Many would end up qualifying for military service, and even the ones who didn't would end up better off than they otherwise would have been. Award certificates of successful completion that would mean something on a resume. And include tattoo removal in the deal -- that will be very helpful to them when they emerge into the real world.
How about just start up PE in the High Schools and colleges again?
100% true.
I had a soldier have a seizure while driving a HMMWV on the autobahn. Nearly killed the four of them.
That was the last time I have been there, which is about 3 years.
That's going to be a harder and harder standard to enforce, as pharmaceuticals are increasingly being used routinely for "quality of life" purposes, rather than for survival, which used to be virtually the only reason. A lot of people taking Ritalin just do better in school or workplace with it, but are certainly not out of control or totally dysfunctionaly without it. Same for a lot of people using antidepressants and anti-anxiety meds. And the military should be comfortable with that, since they are experimenting with some heavy duty drugs to keep fighter pilots and Special Forces personnel awake and alert for unnatural lengths of time. If it's fine to use drugs to improve performance within the military, doing the same (and with much milder stuff) outside the military shouldn't be a bar to military service.
Given that a lot of kids who try to enlist are coming out of inner city school systems, I don't think that's a safe assumption. Going to school in many inner city high schools is physically dangerous, and means spending the day surrounding by chaos, while having little opportunity to actually learn anything. Given that these schools routinely graduate kids who are completely illiterate, I wouldn't hold it against any kid who decides that graduation isn't a goal worth pursuing.
Ha! Beat ya. My last blood pressure was 111/56, resting heart rate of 54. I don't what old is, but I'm 55. I also know that I cannot "hump the field" like I did in my twenties due to arthritis and fatigue. I burn about 500 calories/day exercising, but I don't think I have anything like the endurance I did thirty years ago.
Our colleges are insane enough about sports without giving them more excuses to push students to focus on it. And I have no interest in creating more positions for unionized do-nothing teachers in public schools. I don't think there's really much correlation between school PE programs and physical fitness, and it would take a drastic overhaul of the concept to change that -- like if you can't do X number of chin-ups by the end of the semester, you get an F. But there would be a million ADA-based challenges to any achievement-oriented PE programs, and it would just end up be another expensive, ineffective government-run mess.
Eat, eat.
Yes, many COULD theoretically get the GED before entering the military, but they'd be a lot more likely to get it if they were taken into a military preparation program first and got it there. Chaotic public housing projects aren't exactly conducive to studying.
Chaotic public housing projects aren't exactly conducive to studying. >>>
I wouldn't say that, I've been in quite a few. I went to school with some very smart students who came from the projects. It all depends on the parents and how the local housing authority runs them.
True, but a lot of public housing authorities let their projects turn into complete jungles, and a lot of parents are cycling in and out of prison and rehab (not to mention that their is usually only on eparent present, who's likely to be overwhelmed if she really is trying to hold down and be as self-sufficient as possible). Neither of these factors are things that teenagers have any control over.
Well, given that he was joining the JAG Corps, I seriously doubt he was going on patrol with anyon. He completely disclosed his ailment and still got in.
They're not maintenance, THEY JUST HELP ME CHANNEL MY RAGE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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