Should these young American boys be in the Army?

lucyanddesi

And because they cant get their recruitment numbers up, the army is now keeping ALL recruits. Whereas about 20 percent used to wash out because they couldnt handle the stress or whatever, now the army only washes out about 7 percent, and that number includes those that just change their minds and refuse to continue.

brandon

I entered the Marines at a young immature age of 18. I was brainwashed into the Marine belief and have served 2 tours in Iraq

I definetly matured alot and the war has really influenced my life.
(That doesn't mean I think we should be over there)

Gatorade

no they shouldn't,they should wait till they are abou 30 year's old

nobody

We have an all volunteer army in the US. These young men saw an opportunity to do many things (serve their country, earn a paycheck, learn a skill, become disciplined, see other parts of the world). Some may not be the sharpest tools in the shed but others are some of the most professional, experienced, mature young men you'll find anywhere. I personally served with the youngest (27 years old) Master Sergeant in the US Air Force. He could have been an honor's student at any major university in this country but he chosed to serve this land. I DONT feel ashamed when I see any member of our military.

littleviv2000

In all seriousness, I've seen men and women in the military that were in their 20's to 30's acting just like kids. You only saw these "kids" when they were away from their work areas, you might be surprised at how they will act when in uniform. Oh, and up until just about 2 years ago(I am 29) I was still getting carded for cigs and beer, so looks can be deceiving.

rena_prona

i think any citizen in any country must do his duty for his country ...

They must have been boy scouts because recruits are not permitted off base during training until nearly finished and then only in there clearly recognizable uniform. They are not permitted civilian clothes till after basic training.

Brock C

I feel you and it is sad. And think about it. None of the legislatures kids are going off to war. Many young people in the army are from low economic backgrounds and they see the military as a way to get out of their situation. And it is for many. But its always a rich persons war poor persons fight They are being sacrificed But I try not to say too much about the war for fear of appearing unpatriotic but my prayers are always with these young men and women because they have tremendous courage

gabrielle r

i think young men should because if they die they will die in the honer of our country and they will be remebered as some who cared for the women,children and babies.

Moe Loubani

If everyone knew the real reasons behind the war then the war wouldn't happen in the first place. Deceit and lies after this level are just part of the war that America has been hopelessly fighting.

mrshunter_2002

Let the kids fight for our country..the older men wont

iknowtruthismine

How smart does anyone have to be to join any military controlled by the idiot currently sitting in the White House?

Emperor PingPong

it happens

ILoveMySailor

this is the third meaningless question that i have read of yours. i dont understand why you could be so negative to marines, or any branch for that matter, meaning the navy army, airforce when those people are giving up there freedom and the chance to be with there families, to share intiment moments with there husbands/wifes and to see there children growing day to day. Those people are fighting for you to set over here in america and run your pathetic mouth. Im proud of our troops and the rest of the americans that support our troops, but you sir i am not proud of. i hope that a bomb 'accidentally' gets dropped on your rooftop! IM A PROUD NAVY WIFE!!!!!!!!!! god bless all the familes and men and women going through this terrible time, and all the times yet to come! if your ashamed of young people going over to defend our country, why dont you get off your fat beer drinking *** and keep the 'boys' at home

jfields2302

IM IN THE ARMY RIGHT NOW, YOUR AN IDIOT. IF THEY ARE STUPID AND IMMATURE LIKE YOU SAY. I PROMISE YOU AFTER BASIC AND AIT AND WHEN THEY GET TO THEIR UNIT THEY WILL BE MATURE. THE ARMY KNOWS WHAT THEY ARE DOING. AND IF THOSE "IMMATURE" KIDS WANT TO JOIN THE ARMY AND PROTECT THE UNITED STATES FOR PEOPLE LIKE YOU THEN LET THEM. BUT TO SIT THERE AND CALL ANY SOLDIER IMMATURE IS STUPID...SHUT UP

zclifton2

Don't let the Neo-Conservatives get you down with their comments Erudite. Your observations are worth a thousand sound bites. In fact, Bush and Co. have lowered the standards to allow more bodies in the military. (no bun intended) The same thing happened during the Vietnam War, and the kids were called, "McNamara's Kids" if I remember correctly.

It is a clear signal that all has gone wrong in Iraq, and also that the White House staff and republican majorities in Congress can find no answer, no hopeful policy and no real road map for us except, "things are getting better in Iraq," and then cross your fingers and your chest because none of us, know, know what is about to happen, except two things.

The War is expanding and those two kids and others like them are going to have their futures painfully distorted at least and a good chance of being destroyed.

Lindsay G

Nobody likes war, but I'll raise my head high for anyone that want to fight for my home and freedom. I don't care how smart or how mature they are. They made a choice to make something of themselves, and fight for a country they feel is fighting for. They deserve honor and respect, because in the face of death, that is what they are giving us.

gohandinhand

I agree alot of them are just excited because they get to go shoot guns. I know this because I have know ones that were in the army and your right they act like 12 year old boys who don't have common sense or know what they are doing.

Mom

No, they don't even understand why they are there.

enterrador

I was in the army, i was 18 and i was immature, but i still did my job and defended this country, shut up

what?

They enlist- serve. Free will is a ***** at times. If your drafted and want to flee- I support that. Never let a 'higher' authority send you off to die to line their own pockets without you giving your ok on it. Know wha I mean?

Willnotlietoyou

The concern is not intelligence,it is age and body count.As long as there 18 and older when the recruiter tells them about the benefits,like paying for there schooling,job training,retirement all the recruiter wants to here,after a little minding about the good things is yes.

purpleheart3@verizon.net

Hell-o again. I'll put the dumbest private in the army up against America's enemies any day and be damn proud to serve beside him. As far as the "educated" intelligence of our enlistees our citizens should be looking at the people who are NOT educating them from pre-school through college. I was young, went off to war and pulled some duties in other countries and received more of an education than the college I graduated from ever gave me. I was an 85 Cat 2 on ASVAB. Not the smartest nor the dumbest. Just a young American kid who learned to grow up fast and to be thankful for what I have. I paid my dues and my own way and have never asked anyone for anything nor never will. Thank God for American youth in uniform and by the way.... most of our servicemen (99%) are very educated not only in smarts but in life. Love in Christ and I mean that in a good way..........

I â™¥ Evil

It's one of the only methods we have left to weed out the idiots.

The_Cricket: RIP Allecat

Maybe you're right, they shouldn't be. But the military has all kinds, just like the rest of the US. I've met my share of ignorant military people, and I don't try to fool myself into thinking they're all perfect just because they're military.
However, those two boys of which you speak are NOT a reflection of the whole military. There are many (like my husband, and our friends) who are kind, thoughtful, intelligent people who just wanted to serve their country.
They are not all the kinds of people who go join the military (or get drafted, in SOME cases, in the past), go fight in a war, and then spend the rest of their lives upbraiding the military, our country, and all the things both are supposed to stand for. Not all of them insult the memory of their brothers and sisters who fought honorably and died for their country.
Many of them are the epitome of honor. But there are SOME that I know of who don't know what honor is.

idontkno

bla bal yes someone have to do it.it make for a free world

Roadrunner58-79

Didn't know we had any effen boys in the Army, Last time I was in the Army, we had MEN in it.

Alien

who else would be? old men? and yes, that happens. but they have my utmost respect.

michaelyoung_airforce

There are several troops in the military that probably shouldn't be in, but that falls back on the recruiter and people at the MEPS (Military Entrance and Processing Station). Numbers are low right now, so it seems almost anybody can get in. As a member of the military, I'd rather be low on troops than full of people that are just in for the benefits or because they couldn't make it in the "real world."

thumper

I am all for letting older guys in. I mean when you think about it.1 they have allot of life experience. 2 They don't scare easily.3 They are not in shape and cant run anywhere.(hold that line) 4 they aren't as impressionable as kids

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