How come so many 18 to 28 year olds don't want to join the United States Military?

Bambi slayer

Rich kids are scared of getting greased and losing their daddy's money when he dies. For many poor folks it is a step up in the world and a ticket from their poverty prone roots.

shrty0525

Where are you getting your information?

Zach - you are very wrong. You obviously have NO CLUE.

CrimsonH

I tried to join the U.S. Marines, but they will not let me join because I am on Aderal(sp?). That pisses me off immensely since there are records of them having Marines take it to keep them awake. But even so I would still join if given the chance.

leeanndemon

My dad joined for the health benefits for me. It's the only reason he stayed in He didn't want to be in. I'm so grateful. He hated every minute of it. He made the sacrifices he made to get me taken care of, reenlisting every 4 years and looked forward to the day I didn't need the military care anymore. He hated that job. But he loved me so much. I got news for you sweetie. The army life is NOT for everyone. You need to look for guys and gals who not only LOVE their country but are a rare bred. the ideal type of person pauses before they speak, they are naturally neatly dressed, they stick to the facts, they make their descisions logically. Look for good posture. You can probably talk anyone into it, but thisis the type of person that will be the HAPPIEST in the military. This type of person will be between 7 and ten percent of the population of course, the person recruitin would ideall be the same type except have loads of energy around other people. this would be 12-15 percent of the population. hopefully, this should give you a good start. Claudia Kennedy Made it general and ended up doing recruiting. You should read her book, Generally Speaking.

god_doesnt_love_erudite

When your parents give you everything, why actually do something for it (Erudite)?

As for poor kids (dont you ever downtalk blacks or poor white kids, like they are less then you) it presents them with opportunity and a chance to show pride in defending their nation.

hslayer

Because the military pays crap and you might get blown up, I think. They really need to take better care of the soldiers.

Sgt. VietnamVet

Young people today are alot like illegal immigrants, they want the good things in the US but won't do anything in return. Typical.

Their suicidal tendencies are at an unsatisfactory level.
I'd join but I'm not allowed to carry guns anymore.
I got friends who'd join but they really like living.

WitchTwo

Well babe, first of all many college students are liberal......its ok because they have heart and want to help the world....or so they think. Many also know its better to go into the service after you have a degree as then you are an officer. In the poor neighborhoods there are plenty of kids with great minds who just haven't had the opporunity, going into the military puts them on the same level as everyone else. They can really excell, learn responsibility and really become a man, develope their leadership skills and such.....ok girls can to. I didn't know what I wanted to do so I decided to face my worst fears of the ocean by joining the Navy......unfortunantly I had a bun in the oven. This week one of the things I will do is talk to my son. He went to a private college for two semesters when my mom was told she had cancer, he took time off to see her more. Now that hes back home and has figured out what he really wants to do ...... work with Nasa....I think he needs to look at the Air Force.....because we are at war it will piss off my mom. He has the type of mentality though that if they reinstated the draft he would go enlist. The plan was for him to get his degree first but christ that would take another four years. If you score high enough they will send you to school, so why wait.......so I need to talk to him this week. Hes a great person people look up to as a leader even though he is a little shy, and hes as patriotic as they come. I think hes hesitated because he knows his grandma is against it.

The other thing is that a lot of wealthy families are afraid to lose their kids and the tend to not look at military service as a good career, which is a shame because it is the most heroic thing I think a person can do, especially if you make it a life long career as opposed to serving only for the college benefits.

Dave_Stark

Perhaps because there is so much competition for them in better paying jobs?

Starr

They may agree with (why) we are over in Iraq at war. It's like fighting a losing battle.

Recruiting lower income (regardless of race) has always been practiced. They could definately be taken advantage of to meet the recruiting quota. Unless the young person has someone to guide them in the choices the military has -- they will probably be dumped in artillery (especially if their test scores are low).

If they are interested then they should get the best score possible and choose an MOS that will benefit them when they get out (e.g. Computers, Intelligence, etc.). They don't have to accept the first MOS offered.

Vagabond58

Your facts are WRONG!!!!!

elysianhunter

There are a number of reasons-
Those who are well-educated or from affluent backgrounds tend to avoid the military because they have options available to them that do not involve being shot at, sharing close quarters with strange people of the same gender and being sent far from home for months or years at at time.
The poor and underprivileged have a hope of a better life in the military- health care, housing, a chance for education, etc.
There are also issues such as drug use that affect the number of people who can be suitable recruits- you can't be in the military and do drugs. You also must be in excellent physical health- no blood pressure problems or chronic illnesses, even illnesses that don't seem to cause any trouble on the surface. For certain types of military assignments you must also have perfect or near-perfect vision. Astigmatism or nearsightedness (even with correction) can limit your opportunities.
I had tried to enlist in the Air Force 20 years ago but was declined because of an irregular heart rhythm and two leaky heart valves. So not everyone who wants to serve is able to- and only a small percentage of those eligible to serve want to make the sacrifice.

inuvikrx

You have to be suicidal to join the military these days. Like the Navy commercial says: 'Accelerate your life'....yeah....accelerate towards death.

Fatboy

Because there is no money in the military. Most young people would rather go to college and start their working lives after. It takes a special person to join the military and an even more special person to stay and make it a career. The military lifestyle isn't for everyone.

The "rich" neighborhoods have other options to go on with adult life. The less fortunate neighborhoods don't have that many options and the military can give them a paycheck and a decent lifestyle.

I grew up poor and the military made me who I am today and has given me my lifestyle, I'm grateful. I don't always agree with everything that comes down the line but I do it because I chose to stay in and make it a career.

Spaceman

Because why would you want to join the army when you can go to college for 4 years, have fun, drink beer, and party it up. After the 4 years of fun you get a job in private industry that pays fairly well, or at least more than what the army could pay you. Unfortunately if you couldn't pay for college than the army is a good option, but if you swing tuition there is really no need to join.

kilroymaster

Because they have not conquered their fears. That is the long and the short of it. They are simply afraid.They do not know about the thousands of other jobs that the military has to offer.

bird_e80

Because in poor neighborhoods an opportunity like the military can get them out of their neighborhood. It's a chance to travel, they don't have to worry about housing and meals for a while. It gives them a sense of pride to be doing something for their country. In rich neighborhoods those kids have no worries. Mommy and daddy take care of everything.

Cassy

I once dated someone from Indiana and went out there for a visit. He told me that his state and Michigan were amongst the highest for the drafting rate in the country as there were so few good jobs and opportunities in those states. He referred to it as a breeding ground for the war. He also told me that when higher officials were asked if they want their children to be drafted they answered 'no comment'. Apparently there is no feeling for the poorer people other than use them for guinea pigs for war.

What's even sadder is conditions are set where there is very little choice. I seen tumbleweeds blowing through some very big towns that were now abandoned. They even closed down another car plant and my friend lost his job.. That was 2 years ago.

Just like McDonald's has no feelings for the cows they slaughter daily, the poor people are the cows and that's the way they see it.

farahwonderland2005

You know the answer to your question. Poor people need jobs and they will take miserable work to survive.... or be killed. As long as Bush keeps us poor, he'll have a few good men (and women).

*abbylicious*

Because they feel like they have better things to do then get shot!

tally m

This generation, and the ones befor it are not brought up with the attitude that we owe this country anything, we were brought up with the feeligns that this country owes Us something.

The generation of our grandparents was the last generation to be raised from young children, they WOULD go into the military, in some way, the people who are now in their 40's-50's were raised as the first generation with a CHOICE, we no longer had the draft; these people were raised with a chioce about doing service, or going to work, or going to college; when we did away with the draft we invented the brat. other generations prior to this current adult generation, all others had no choices, they knew they were going, they were drafted.
We have the brattiest generations of the last two (30 yrs) but also have the most educated than ever before, the wealthiest, the longest working in history, and subsquently, the most brought into a feeling of false military security, ever.

Curt

Poor kids have a chance to upgrade their life, but where I live(South Carolina) most people joining the military seem to be in the upper-middle class range. For the month of August all the services reached and exceeded their recruiting goals so overall I wouldn't say kids don't want to join. Part of the problem is that about 30% of college student believe George Bush had something to do with 9/11. There also isn't any true military education in schools. Most high school students couldn't tell you the difference in the Army and Marines.

Another sad truth is that a lot of young Americans think that there is nothing worth fighting for and nothing more important than their own personal health.

bindu n

The riches of development and prosperity have softened peoples backsides, they dont want to rough it out in front of a bullet anymore. Quite a surprising state in spite of being attacked on your own soil just five years ago! Its worrisome for a country that its youth is becoming so soft. No wonder the terrorists are exploiting this soft underbelly of the great USA.

JistheRealDeal

They are undisciplined and scared. Fear controls the masses.

Mike C

we are in a state of war right now, meaning anyone who joins the military would be prepped and trained to go overseas.

Unfortunately, the kids/young adults in lower income neighborhoods have less opportunities in life for good careers, networking and what not and sometimes it may be beneficial for them to join the military for training, school etc. for a chance for them and their families to improve on their quality of life.

budntequilla

Your information is incorrect. Nice little rant (sarcasm) that covered a couple talking points.

sway_ii

because many poor kids are drawn in by the promise of education and breaking away from their lives. Rich kids dont need the military for that, their parents can afford college.

GRUMPY

Because most kids now a days are spoiled and would NOT be able to handle the disilpline alone. They wouldn't be able to do as THEY please and would now have to take orders. daddy and mommy can't help them any more. please don't misunderstand me. I don't mean to put ALL kids in this catagory, But there ARE enough to be put into this group.

kekeke

Too many takers and not enough givers. They enjoy freedom, but don't want to fight for it.

Blunt Honesty

Because they know that there is little to no chance of a rich kid wanting to join the military. They lure poor kids with no chance of getting a college education on their own with the promise of tuition assistance.

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