Obesity and Other Problems Barring Teens from Military Service Need National Attentio

[carolina73]

Consider the demographics from which recruits are typically drawn. The military is the employer of last resort. If the health, education and behaviors of people from these demographics are declining, it signifies more than just a problem for the military.

They took away the vocational schools.
They took away the manufacturing jobs.

Kids had other alternatives to make a decent wage or more coming out of high school.

Employer of last resort was not true in the past. Every 18 year old kid wanted to get out of the house asap. The military gave them that start and even if they stayed in the minimum, they usually became desirable employees.

[Sybil Ludington]

I guess we can agree why the military would not want this $#@!: "already faced several felony charges in North Carolina that include auto theft and charges related to fraud and forgery"


Man Denied Enlistment in Military Returns to Recruitment Center, Does the Unthinkable

https://www.westernjournal.com/man-d...e67b2f02003c45

[phoenix]

While this is a legitimate concern for our Military it reflects on a more serious problem for society in general.

As I have noted before the number one killer of people under 50 is drug overdose with COVID not even on the radar. Then again the next generation of Obese and drug abusers will be easy COVID type virus victims.

In my long life I've never seen so many obese people, and with people staying at home more now it's got to be many times worse.

[Sybil Ludington]

In my long life I've never seen so many obese people, and with people staying at home more now it's got to be many times worse.

I've been surprised by how many police department have dropped weight guidelines. I've seen MANY KCMO cops that I thought....WOW! Hope my life doesn't depend on how fast they can get to me~

[Mechanic]

This nation needs to institute PE in schools again! We need to get children active and moving instead of sitting and computers.

[Dr. Who]

The military is not generally the employer of last resort for many, especially out of high school. People join because they want to.

Lower socioeconomic status is positively correlated with military recruitment:

"An important predictor to military service in the general population is family income. Those with lower family income are more likely to join the military than those with higher family income. Thus the military may indeed be a career option for those for whom there are few better opportunities. For such enlistees, military service can open opportunities that would not otherwise be available. Indeed, research has found that military service often serves as a positive turning point in the career trajectories of enlistees from disadvantaged circumstances (Elder 1986, 1987; Sampson and Laub 1996). A popular claim is that those of low socioeconomic status are more likely to be assigned to combat roles within the military than those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Based on this, it is said that the poor serve as cannon fodder in fighting for their nation during times of war. Gimbel and Booth (1996) have found that during the Vietnam War those with lower AFQT scores were more likely to be assigned to combat arms and to go to Vietnam, but they did not examine the impact of socioeconomic status. Thus, further research might investigate whether socioeconomic status is significantly related to one‘s assignment once one is accepted into the military.

In conclusion, among race, socioeconomic status, and immigration status, socioeconomic status is the only significant predictor of having ever served in the military. Class differences in military enlistment likely reflect differences in the non-military occupational opportunity, structured along class lines. This research shows that the all-volunteer force continues to see overrepresentation of the working and middle classes, with fewer incentives for upper class participation."
Who Joins the Military?: A Look at Race, Class, and Immigration Status (syr.edu)

[Cletus]

Obviously written by some limp wristed dweeb who wouldn't be able to make it in the military if her life depended on it.

How much time did YOU spend in one of the branches of service? You seem to think you know a lot about who serves and why. Regale us with your experiences in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. Tell us about the people YOU knew and served with. Maybe you and that Amy idiot who wrote the article could get together and share your insight with the rest of us.

[phoenix]

I've been surprised by how many police department have dropped weight guidelines. I've seen MANY KCMO cops that I thought....WOW! Hope my life doesn't depend on how fast they can get to me~

Yeah, we've all noticed that for a long time now. I guess, like the Military, they must have few to recruit from. If you look back decades in pictures it's almost hard to find an obese person in the crowd. I do know that some people probably have the DNA for obesity and that makes it harder for them.

When this discussion comes up I always think of the little boy in 'The Sixth Sense' saying, "I see 'dead' people everywhere".......... slapping myself,

[Peter1469]

Lower socioeconomic status is positively correlated with military recruitment:

"An important predictor to military service in the general population is family income. Those with lower family income are more likely to join the military than those with higher family income. Thus the military may indeed be a career option for those for whom there are few better opportunities. For such enlistees, military service can open opportunities that would not otherwise be available. Indeed, research has found that military service often serves as a positive turning point in the career trajectories of enlistees from disadvantaged circumstances (Elder 1986, 1987; Sampson and Laub 1996). A popular claim is that those of low socioeconomic status are more likely to be assigned to combat roles within the military than those from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. Based on this, it is said that the poor serve as cannon fodder in fighting for their nation during times of war. Gimbel and Booth (1996) have found that during the Vietnam War those with lower AFQT scores were more likely to be assigned to combat arms and to go to Vietnam, but they did not examine the impact of socioeconomic status. Thus, further research might investigate whether socioeconomic status is significantly related to one‘s assignment once one is accepted into the military.

In conclusion, among race, socioeconomic status, and immigration status, socioeconomic status is the only significant predictor of having ever served in the military. Class differences in military enlistment likely reflect differences in the non-military occupational opportunity, structured along class lines. This research shows that the all-volunteer force continues to see overrepresentation of the working and middle classes, with fewer incentives for upper class participation."
Who Joins the Military?: A Look at Race, Class, and Immigration Status (syr.edu)

Well I actually served. Yes lower economic classes do make up a lot of the enlisted, but they joined to serve. But I was airborne infantry (as enlisted). Perhaps the guys in the REMF (re-echelon M Fers) were as you describe.

[Peter1469]

Yeah, we've all noticed that for a long time now. I guess, like the Military, they must have few to recruit from. If you look back decades in pictures it's almost hard to find an obese person in the crowd. I do know that some people probably have the DNA for obesity and that makes it harder for them.

When this discussion comes up I always think of the little boy in 'The Sixth Sense' saying, "I see 'dead' people everywhere".......... slapping myself,

There is no DNA for obesity that you are stuck with. Forget genetics, think epigenetics. Our genes hold all sorts of possibilities. Our environment and lifestyle choices turn off and on those genes.