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Military eyes 16-year-olds as ranks and candidates dwindle
The Washington Times ^ | July 18, 2019 | Ben Wolfgang

Posted on 07/21/2019 8:27:59 AM PDT by Towed_Jumper

As the Army, Navy and other services contend with a thriving economy and a directive to expand their ranks, there is a growing debate over whether the military should consider lowering the minimum enlistment age from 17 to 16. More than a dozen countries, including the United Kingdom, already have adopted the policy.

Critics say the idea is deeply flawed and presents a host of societal problems, but supporters argue that the Pentagon needs to think outside the box if it wants to continually overcome one of the toughest recruiting environments in decades.

(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...


TOPICS: Miscellaneous; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: army; military
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To: Towed_Jumper

Bad idea for sooo many reasons


21 posted on 07/21/2019 8:47:19 AM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: billyboy15

And use that time to inoculate them against collectivism before they go to college.


22 posted on 07/21/2019 8:47:24 AM PDT by bankwalker (Immigration without assimilation is an invasion.)
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To: reg45
So the first two years of military service will be spent getting recruits up to high school proficiency.

This may be what it is about.

23 posted on 07/21/2019 8:48:33 AM PDT by fso301
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To: fso301

At one time the Army had GED classes and did GED testing so that shouldn’t be a problem.

In my opinion teens today though far more “worldly” in things like dating, sex, ETC are no where near as mature or have the sense of responsibility those of earlier generations had.

My dad was considered a man at 16, left home and went into the world. That was during the Depression. My brothers were mature, responsible, and doing the work of grown men at 16. I have a grandson that is pretty mature, responsible, and a hard worker at 16. He is not close to where my brothers were at the same age though. Maybe it is just the grandma in me but I say no to 16.

If they go back to doing the GED in service they should be able to get more recruits just from doing that.

I don’t know what they may need to do to recruit the numbers they need, they may end up taking 16 year olds. I hope not.


24 posted on 07/21/2019 8:48:40 AM PDT by Tammy8
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To: billyboy15

No it isn’t. The modern military doesn’t need two year and leave rotations. That is a recipe for disaster


25 posted on 07/21/2019 8:49:04 AM PDT by Nifster (I see puppy dogs in the clouds)
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To: 100American
Roll that up against the minimum wage you posit and tell me which is a better value

And yet, they still have trouble making numbers. I've get to believe that the marginal cost to the military to feed an house one more recruit is pretty close to zero.

26 posted on 07/21/2019 8:49:34 AM PDT by Poison Pill
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To: Towed_Jumper

Maybe they should recruit older people, instead of younger.


27 posted on 07/21/2019 8:50:05 AM PDT by rightwingcrazy (;-)
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To: Tammy8
I don’t know what they may need to do to recruit the numbers they need, they may end up taking 16 year olds. I hope not.

Large pool of males socially promoted up through elementary and middle school that are then dumped into the high schools. At 16, they drop out.

28 posted on 07/21/2019 8:51:57 AM PDT by fso301
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To: jacknhoo

“Want to increase volunteers? Stop teaching global communism in our public and Catholic schools”

Want to increase volunteers? Stop using our military for far-away nation-building invasions that aren’t necessary for the security of the United States. I wouldn’t advise any of my family to enlist when there’s a prospect of being sent to wars we never should have been involved in - Iraq, Syria and now Iran - or never ending wars that should have ended long ago (ie Libya)

If your kids are patriots and hanker to enlist to defend America, encourage them to consider the US Border Patrol


29 posted on 07/21/2019 8:53:08 AM PDT by rintintin (q)
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To: Towed_Jumper

This is a ploy by liberals to drop the voting age to 16.


30 posted on 07/21/2019 8:53:12 AM PDT by CodeToad ( Hating on Trump is hating on me and Americans!)
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To: Towed_Jumper

This creates a real quandary for the low I.Q. RATs. They would finally have an argument for lowering the voting age to 16 but how could they explain allowing a 16 year old to carry a firearm. Hmmmmmm.


31 posted on 07/21/2019 8:53:49 AM PDT by FlingWingFlyer (You can vote your way into socialism but you have to shoot your way out of it.)
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To: TADSLOS

Raise the age limit, use those enlisted for admin work and free up the REMF crowd to take on call me at duties.


32 posted on 07/21/2019 8:54:06 AM PDT by EQAndyBuzz (Trump is President and CEO of America, Inc.)
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To: Towed_Jumper

Stop the SJW bullcrap that’s infesting the military and quit driving men out of the service with a whip and the problem just might solve itself.

As it is, there’s so much time taken up with all the social engineering sensitivity training there’s no time for actual MOS training.


33 posted on 07/21/2019 8:54:08 AM PDT by Grimmy (equivocation is but the first step along the road to capitulation)
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To: Nifster

OK so make it 4 yr minimum.

I said 2 yrs because I don’t believe the short fall if we even have one at this time, is very large plus there will always be a % of the mandated recruits who opt to re up.


34 posted on 07/21/2019 8:54:10 AM PDT by billyboy15
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To: Towed_Jumper

NO!


35 posted on 07/21/2019 8:54:11 AM PDT by dforest (tJust shut up Obama. Maybe everyone should just shut up!)
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To: Tammy8

We must be careful. If they start recruiting 16 year olds, the Dems will use it as an excuse to lower the voting age to 16. Bank on it


36 posted on 07/21/2019 8:55:12 AM PDT by rintintin (q)
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To: Towed_Jumper

I tried to join the Marines when I was 30 and they said I was too old.


37 posted on 07/21/2019 8:55:40 AM PDT by Beagle8U (It's not whether you win or lose, it's how you place the blame.)
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To: Towed_Jumper

Stupid idea. If anything, the age should be increased. If we need more soldiers than we have recruits, then either increase pay and bonuses or institute a draft.


38 posted on 07/21/2019 8:55:52 AM PDT by The Pack Knight
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To: This_Dude

Not sure when you were trying to join but if they have the numbers they are looking for they toughen up on requirements. When numbers were lower than they needed it seemed there were waivers for just about everything.

When they weren’t accepting GED (I think- but not sure they changed that) that was pure nonsense. They were giving gang bangers with some criminal record waivers, medical waivers, weight waivers, and not accepting GEDs?

They need to come up with a working plan for sure, at times it seems anyone can join and at other times if you don’t have a degree and or skill they need forget it. I think that is their biggest issue.


39 posted on 07/21/2019 8:56:11 AM PDT by Tammy8
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To: Grimmy

“Stop the SJW bullcrap that’s infesting the military and quit driving men out of the service with a whip and the problem just might solve itself.”

Another solution: no more “preemptive” wars and nation-building expeditions in the Middle East and other distant lands. If our military was used for its proper purpose - to defend America’s borders and sovereignty - I promise you enlistments would rise


40 posted on 07/21/2019 8:57:50 AM PDT by rintintin (q)
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