An Army of Very Few

I just saw yet another one of those AP stories about how the army is having a hard time recruiting (though it exceeded its July target) and is increasing its normal staff of 8,000 recruiters by 1-2,000 more people.

The striking thing about this story, which I unfortunately can't find online, is a pie chart showing the percentage of qualified, recruitable youth, age 17-24. It shows the following three "pieces" of pie: 11% of the above demographic is qualified but enrolled in college; 15% is qualified, eligible, and available to be recruited; and a whopping 74% are disqualified (medically or for drug or alcohol abuse, criminal record, dependents, or low aptitude). That is, almost three-quarters of our young people aren't of sound enough mind and body to be a private, seaman, or airman.

This is appalling. Despite the recent lowering of the bar to allow certain ex-cons, high school drop outs, and recovering drug addicts to enlist, 74% of the target population apparently still does not measure up.

Time to create a foreign legion, Congress. Many of the world's youth, healthier in many ways than our own, would literally die for the opportunity to serve this country if it meant being able to live here at the end of their tours.