Quote:
Originally Posted by melkortshea
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Here is some interesting information regarding the comments that suggest the military is mostly formed of the poor and lower ranks of society.
http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion...ier-edit_x.htm
According to a comprehensive study of all enlistees for the years 1998-99 and 2003 that The Heritage Foundation just released, the typical recruit in the all-volunteer force is wealthier, more educated and more rural than the average 18- to 24-year-old citizen is. Indeed, for every two recruits coming from the poorest neighborhoods, there are three recruits coming from the richest neighborhoods
If, for example, we consider the education of every recruit, 98% joined with high-school diplomas or better. By comparison, 75% of the general population meets that standard. Among all three-digit ZIP code areas in the USA in 2003 (one can study larger areas by isolating just the first three digits of ZIP codes), not one had a higher graduation rate among civilians than among its recruits.
In fact, since the 9/11 attacks, more volunteers have emerged from the middle and upper classes and fewer from the lowest-income groups. In 1999, both the highest fifth of the nation in income and the lowest fifth were slightly underrepresented among military volunteers. Since 2001, enlistments have increased in the top two-fifths of income levels but have decreased among the lowest fifth. |
You said it yourself, this data is anomalous of the norm due to 9/11...in times of war you are going to get a very different demographic then during peacetime in the military. that is obvious, and is reflected in the study you describe.
My comments don't reflect badly on the people that I served with. As someone else pointed out most of the "thugs" and "borderline criminals" actually made VERY good soldiers. In fact, even the kids I went through basic with who weren't educated (I already had a masters degree and was with some 18 year olds that could barely do math), for the most part, turned out to be quite intelligent. At least, in the sense of multiple intelligences not all being about formal education...and were again, in the end, very good soldiers.
Its a reality in most industrialized countries, including the US, that the military is not seen as a respectable career to enter unless you 1) an officer or 2) have no other options. I'm not necessarily happy with this, but I do believe there is some truth to it...how many parents encourage their kids to become enlisted men if they have the option to go to college or professional school?
In the end, I enlisted because I thought it was something I had to do if I really believe in the things I think about patriotism etc...but I don't think I am the rule by any means.