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.
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