Free Republic

Nearly every student, sitting at desks in Army uniforms at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, had a similar story. The public schools they came from were crumbling: There were holes in the walls, books held together with duct tape, few computers, not enough teachers and failing air conditioning that made paying attention in class impossible in the sweltering heat. Test scores, which were already falling before the pandemic, took a nosedive, and recent years have seen a blitz in teacher strikes over poor working conditions and being paid wages not far above the poverty level. For the Army to fill its...

MIAMI — Nearly one-fourth of recent high school graduates who try to join the Army fail its entrance exam, painting a grim picture of an education system that produces graduates who can't answer basic math, science and reading questions, according to a study released Tuesday. The report by The Education Trust bolsters a growing worry among military and education leaders that the pool of young people qualified for military service will become too small... --snip-- The report found that 23 percent of recent high school graduates applying for the Army don't get the minimum score needed on the enlistment test....

Armed forces exceed recruiting goalsBy Robin Acton TRIBUNE-REVIEW Saturday, January 24, 2009 Syd Richardson always knew she'd join the military. After exploring her options, learning about all of the service branches and talking to friends who are serving, the 17-year-old Norwin High School senior enlisted in the Army National Guard. A $20,000 signing bonus helped her to make a decision. "I signed up because I wanted to serve, but I'm really glad I did it because I won't have to worry about money," said Richardson, who leaves Aug. 31 to begin basic training in Jackson, S.C. "I'm guaranteed a job....