I saw this the other day.
Here were my thoughts.
By the numbers
- If I recall correctly perhaps 50% of the armed forced are populated by the junior grades (E1 thru E4, WO1, O1, kinda thing).
- Authorized strength including reserves is floating around 2,100,000
- 15% of the armed forces are female
- Therefore, the 18-24 yo male population has to provide around 900,000 swinging Johnsons.
- The US male 18-24 yo population is floating around 16,000,000
- If 71% of these fellas are indeed unable to qualify for enlistment, this leaves perhaps 4,600,000 dudes to select from.
USAREC etc has a hell of a mission, it's got to convert roughly 20% or 1 in every 5 eligible lads.
I think one can see why DOD
- Provide waivers
- Tries to attract foreign nationals with the promise of citizenship
- Pays great signing bonuses
- etc etc
This really is a major national security issue, DOD personnel does not do well in a short supply market. Quality drops, costs go up.
And the trend is not in our favour.
S
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Last edited by Scimitar; 02-25-2018 at 21:27.
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