Quote:
Originally Posted by PIMking
I know hundreds of people that joined the military for the G.I. Bill. Yet, I know plenty of people that joined right after 9/11 to defend their country.
Some kids, (like myself) are just either not mature enough for college right away or don't know what they really want to do. The Military is a great way to get some experience under their belt along with defending their country.
Yes, there is some Gomer Pyles in our Military but that isn't a new found stat, every military has someone that isn't the sharpest knife in the drawer.
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I don't disagree, and I think I was probably way too broad and chose my words poorly earlier.
To clarify, my point isn't that they're stupid, it's that their left with little in the way of choice, something that I attribute at least partially to the massive failure that is the US public education system in much of the country. People are churned out of high school, with no real ability to continue their education, into cities and towns with increasingly little to offer in terms of employment. Coincidentally, the recritment centers are often all too ready to offer that future. It sometimes makes me question the actual desire of the US to open other doors for people in those areas when they provide such a significant portion of manpower. There are obviously people from all walks of life in the military, I have a buddy who did a couple tours in Afghanistan who left his six figure wall st. job to do so, I guess I just can't shake the idea that there are too many 18 year old kids who join the military simply because it's the only door open to them. Maybe I'm wrong about that, it's just the sense I've picked up living down here.