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A comment on 71% of Americans between 17 and 24 can’t meet the minimum criteria for service. Parent comment

Re:71% of Americans between 17 and 24 can’t meet the minimum... by Animats on Thursday October 19, 2017 @02:47AM (#15505932)
Biggest single problem is obesity. There are just too many fat teen-agers. Second is a criminal record or drug abuse. Third is inadequate education; the US military requires high school graduation now. As of 2009 [1]:

- 27% - too fat

- 31% - other health problem

The Army used to run fat recruits through a "fat farm" phase of 6 weeks of exercise. But they no longer do that. There's talk of bringing it back.

The Marines want you in shape before you enlist. Marine recruiters help promising recruits get in shape before they enlist.

[1] http://cdn.missionreadiness.org/MR-Ready-Willing-Unable.pdf

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:71% of Americans between 17 and 24 can’t meet the minimum... by bambax on Thursday October 19, 2017 @04:25AM (#15506309)
> The Army used to run fat recruits through a "fat farm" phase of 6 weeks of exercise. But they no longer do that.

Why not?

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:71% of Americans between 17 and 24 can’t meet the minimum... by Animats on Thursday October 19, 2017 @06:12PM (#15511986)
They didn't have to bother during the recession.
[ Parent | on HN ]