In today's Politico, two retired military leaders make a tremendous argument for real investment in programs of positive youth development. Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Army General Hugh Shelton, and former Secretary of the Navy John Dalton, should be applauded for drawing attention to the growing challenges our children face.
These men are joined by many other former military leaders who are leading the Mission: Readiness National Advisory Council to educate policy makers about how investments in kids will help us stay on track for a strong 21st century military and economy.
They are working to bring attention to the fact that over 72 percent of 17- to 24-year-olds do not meet the basic educational, physical and moral standards required for service.
And are correct in saying that...
The most important long-term investment we can make for a strong military is in the health and education of the American people. If we want to ensure that we have a strong, capable fighting force, we need to help America's youth succeed academically, graduate from high school and obey the law.
It is incredibly important to continue drawing attention the challenges our children face in this country. Whether you frame it in a discussion of national security, to fight crime, to create human capital for our future work force, or just because it is the right thing to do! We need more leaders who are willing to stand up to ensure we are investing in our future.
Read the entire article here.
Maybe all of the defense contractors can pay a "recruitment" tax to fund physical education at all public schools.
Parents will not allow their young to be used in such a way ever again in the country, after the last eight years.
"Onward Christian Soldier" is not our national anthem.
There needs to be a complete transformation of the military's "life-style"before it will be considered a 'wise career move' in the 21st Century.
THEN, you will get the best and brightest who wish to serve in that capacity.
Sincerely
~A Viet Era Female Vet who's son was a Marine in Fallujah under Bush43~
29% cannot pass the ASVAB (entrance exam)
The rest of the unqualified are either Moral (Drug or Felon), or have a Physical condition (asthma).
A few can get waivers but not many. (unless you join the Army)
This was shocking to me when I started Recruiting for the Marines in 1994.
By 2006 I would tell new recruiters that only 1 in 4 of the people the meet will ever be qualified.
What a joke. The only thing American have to fear is the criminals within the Military Industrial Complex who thrive off never ending War and sending America's young to die for Corporate profit.
American public schools are chronically underfunded, while the military always has monet to drop bombs on innocent people around thw world.
The United States will be destroyed from within, not by any foreign enemy or so called "terrorists."
So what's the deal? You are suggesting American youth are too uneducated, unfit, and immoral to serve, but you don't back up your claim. Please clarify.
No matter how you skin the cat, we need a military and they do many things besides just engage in war.
Seems to me it would be better to have educated individuals with high skill potential, who make conscious highly informed decisions to join the military than to have uneducated people who don't know what they are getting into and who don't have the skills to be leaders in the military.
I know that's a dangerous idea (and may even be socialism) but it sure beats preparing for war.