Why is the perception that military members are stupid, or less qualified than non members?

Question

People often look at the military as a "last resort." However, most soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines I've met are very capable and confident individuals. All have a HS diploma or GED and most have some college or a degree. What is the deal?

Also, I don't buy the argument that the military pays poorly. After 5 years or so, most people can earn $40-50,000 a year in the military--way higher than the average US IPC.

Z H:

3,000? That really isn't that many over the last 4 years. I mean, if safety is the marker is smarts, then it would be stupid to drive on the highway, become a firefighter, ER Doctor, or Police Officer. I think smart people can choose risky jobs because maybe they believe in what they do.

Joshnya68:
Really, you've never met a former soldier who is a smart as someone who went $30,000 in debt to pay for school? Hmm....

Answer 1

Department of Defence recruiting statistics for last year bust this perception. Go here and go down to the click here about who is joining.......

http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2007/02/mil-070212-dod01.htm

It shows that the majority of people who are joining are solidly middle class and high school graduates. The rate of joining is about the same for low income as well as high. So the more educated are smart enough to take advantage of the opportunity and to further a future career. Not the less educated or poor "last resort" who could benefit the most from joining.

In addition other statistics show that in the 3000 or so deaths in Iraq 2100 or so were white, 300 some were hispanic and half that were afican-american. Kind of squashes the whole who is joining are the poor inner city kids who have no where else to go as well.

Answer 2

During the Viet-Nam war, the military pretty much accepted anyone they could get, either as volunteers or as draftees. In those days the incentive was, do your tour and stay out of prison. There were no incentives for most to join, just dis-incentives for the draftees to keep them from dodging. In those daye the military did fit that perception. as a result, the military with the exception of the air force (which had higher standards) accumulated the dregs of society.
In the relative calm times of the 80's all the branches of the military, raised their standards and stopped accepted any warm body that would fill a uniform. This led to a more professional military in all branches.
Even though we have had an all-volunteer military for several years, with mostly good, well educated and able people, the image from the 50's and 60's is slow to fade.

Answer 3

Well, for many, the military IS a last resort. Many come from disadvantaged backgrounds where college or skilled labor come in short supply. So what? I think that is one of the great things about the army, to take someone who would have amounted to not much on the "outside" and turn them into someone....a productive member of society. He/she will one day get out/retire and be able to provide for himself and his family.

And really, you have to educate yourself in order to seek promotion. Junior enlisted gets waived on through, but in order to promote through NCO ranks, you have to have a certain number of hours in military education, and civilian education. And the army picks up the tab.

So the argument that soldiers are stupid because of where they came from holds no water. Perhaps those who support such a stand dont know. And I didnt until I married a soldier.

Answer 4

B/C the military will take anyone...hence the testing you have to do before you go into the military. All it is, is a placement test. If you're stupid then you're mopping the ships deck but if you're smart you flying a plane.

So ppl just automatically think b/c the military will take anyone no matter on the brain power then you have to be someone of less intelligence to join. AND the majority of ppl are cowards...so they think anyone who would join the military is stupid b/c you have a chance of being killed.

Answer 5

Lets see now......
*Uncle was Marine in Korea..Vice President of International Longshorman
*Dad was Navy WW2 Electromechanical Engineer at Westinghouse
*Me Marine in VietNam Professional Sales/ Marketing Developer
*Sob Marine Persian Gulf BS in Computer Robotics

Answer 6

Yes, there is a misconception that all people in the military are poor and uneducated. This is simply not true. I was in the U.S. Army for 4 years. Never met anyone who didn't want to be in or came from a poor family. The liberals want us to believe this, but its a lie.

Answer 7

I was never under that impression at all and I don't know of anyone who thinks like that. Yeah, you're right, most military people do have some kind of College . I think being in the military is comendable no matter why someone joins in the first place!!!

Answer 8

It is because the military is a bottomless pit, as far as job openings go, and a civilian job will be selective in their hiring process, so serving a term in the military doesn't prove squat as far as your potential to do good in civilian businesses.
Also, I know of marines that fulfilled their enlistment, got all kinds of certifications and experience on high level equipment etc., but are drooling morons in the real world.
It depends on the employer you're talking about though, because I've noticed some employers will kiss the *** of a former soldier, regardless of what he has to offer for the company. I myself have yet to meet a brilliant ex-soldier who is as competent as a guy who paid his way through college by working an hourly job. The soldiers spend too much time polishing their boots and guns, marching and doing push-ups.

Yea, yea, sorry I didn't fit the mold(to whomever gave me thumb down) Screw you anyway, you're probably the moron I was talking about in my answer.

The reason I feel the way I do is because people join the service under the guise that they are being "brave and noble servicemen of their country", but really do it because they need a crutch, and the military fills that gap. So they enlist in the military and are immediately covered by this blanket belief that they are one of the elite and more competent than one that didn't serve. Who do you think pays the paycheck? Me and whomever sucked it up and got a job, or went to school on their own, and not on taxpayers money. I just revel in knowing that there's people that enjoy shooting Iraqi people in the face and watch their head explode, but can't read or write, know more about their gun then the real world that awaits them if they can't cut a career in the military.

I mean, is the military really fighting for our freedom right now? That war was overwith a LONG time ago. We were free centuries before we went into Iraq, so lick me with that garbage. Would our commander in chief be so questioned if we were there for our freedom? I think not. Don't be so confused.

Answer 9

Its messed up how much discrimination our military recieves from the same people they serve to protect. People think I'm a p*ssy because I was in the Air Force, as opposed to if I didn't join any branch at all.

Answer 10

Because of a psychological need. People want to think good about themselves. And people who do not join the military seem to need a method to rationalize away their lack of service.

If they decide that they are 'too smart' to join the military then they do not have to admit to themselves that people who join the military are better people than themselves.