A forum where you can discuss all those questions that get asked in teachers’ lounges, around dining room tables and before school boards across Kitsap County. With Marietta Nelson.Are too few young people fit for military service?
This press release popped into my inbox this morning. I’d heard something about it on the radio a few days ago, but didn’t get a clear picture until I read this:
“According to an alarming new report, 75 percent of young people ages 17 to 24 are unable to enlist in the military because they fail to graduate high school, have a criminal record, or are physically unfit. U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and some of America’s top retired military brass will hold a news conference at the National Press Club Thursday to call for immediate action to address this national security threat.
The retired admirals and generals and Secretary Duncan will call for greater investment in high-quality early learning programs to ensure that more young people graduate, obey the law, and have the option of military service if they choose that path. They will also release state-specific data on the number of young Americans unable to serve in each state.”
WHO: Secretary of Education Arne Duncan – U.S. Department of Education
General Wesley K. Clark, U.S. Army (Ret.) – Former Supreme Allied Commander – NATO
Major General James A. Kelley, U.S. Army (Ret.) – Former Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense
Major General James W. Comstock, U.S. Army (Ret.) – Former Reserve Component Advisor, U.S. Central Command
Brigadier General John W. Douglass, U.S. Air Force (Ret.) – Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Rear Admiral James Barnett U.S. Navy (Ret.) – Chief, Public Safety and Homeland Security Bureau, FCC
Former Under Secretary of the Army – Joe Reeder
National Director, MISSION: READINESS – Amy Dawson Taggart
Wow! I’ll follow up here on Thursday after more information is released.
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Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
November 4th, 2009 at 11:43 am
Just another sign of an empire in decline.
November 4th, 2009 at 11:58 am
One thing to put this into perspective is that it says 75% of young people meet those conditions. What does that say about the workforce of the future? Only 25 out of 100 kids will be able to be employed? This is being pointed at the military but it really has a much larger effect.
November 4th, 2009 at 12:43 pm
I agree, Jason. This hits home in our family. Sadly, my son made some very poor choices. He dropped out of school and served time in jail. He cannot get a job or even a place to live. I had an older cousin who was told by a judge to join the military or go to jail. He joined the Navy and turned his life around. Having served for 22 years in the Navy myself, it’s tough helping young sailors turn their lives around, but it’s rewarding when you know you’ve helped them succeed. I guess with the war and all, there’s no room for that today. Also, the military is very technical now, so an education is important for success. It’s important for people to know that inside of that 75% percent who do enlist, there are many who have issues (they just didn’t get caught!).
November 4th, 2009 at 4:29 pm
Good. Less cannon fodder to fight wars for rich old white bastards.
November 4th, 2009 at 6:15 pm
I feel this is old news that is just now surfacing. I believe that given a choice to President Bush for establishing a draft, or sending reservist and multiple deployments of the enlisted men, his choice was clear that we couldn’t clean up enough young men and women to serve as in our past history. And further, our pentagon was actively pursuing some fine soldiers that chose to serve with distinction for being gay.
All that said the sooner we end discrimination against gays in the military the better. At least they want to serve their country while trying to hide their sexuality.