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.
Well, duh. The military has been raising standards to avoid the dregs.
And I'm old. :)
I'm afraid I will get hepatitis from these freaks.
bump
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.
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?
Give me a few months with the lard-a$$es...
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.
"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?
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.