Did you know the US military recruits are better educated and from wealthier families than average Americans?

Question

It's true. This issue has undergone intense study. It's also true that as the Iraq War has dragged on the average recruit has come from a more upper middle class background as opposed to middle class before the war.

Who Bears the Burden? Demographic Characteristics of U.S. Military Recruits Before and After 9/11

by Tim Kane, Ph.D.
Center for Data Analysis Report #05-08

http://www.heritage.org/Research/NationalSecurity/cda05-08.cfm

Answer 1

This is true my friend. I came from an upper middle class family and finished my 4 year enlistment in the Army. I think the military is designed to weed out the weak who may come from primarily unwealthy families. The cycle goes on and on. And military traditions have been passed down from generation to generation. Also I think many of the poorer Americans believe in the welfare you do it for me mentality, which would exclude most of them from military service. They think someone always owes them something.

Answer 2

i think of there are undesirable people everywhere this includes the US military. fairly the factors of which they permit people into the army, the Marines, the Air stress, the army, and the national look after are plenty greater in the present day then they have ever been, yet you would be able to desire to comprehend there are loopy people everywhere, there additionally are evil people everywhere. If we actually wanted to give up this sort of habit i do no longer think of we could desire to continuously seem to the recruitment technique, we could desire to continuously look at how plenty/oftentimes those solders have been in attempt against. via President Bush a lot of those adult adult males are going returned to conflict 5 or 6 cases in the past they are allowed to stay homestead, that's unparalleled decrease than the different administration. individually, i will see how going to Iraq returned and returned and yet returned cancontinual you loopy, this is unlucky and the people fairly in charge for this are an analogous ones that in basic terms left the White homestead.

Answer 3

I believe !! When I enlisted in 1985, I was one year short of my degree, and came from a upper-middle class family... Dad was a PhD Research Engineer.

My Navy Recruit Company seemed to be about 55% middle and 40% lower class.... 5 years later during my first shore-tour, 15 of 20 of the staff/ instructors completed our degrees. Four of the guys got their commissions.

I LOVE the liberals who say the military is killing only lower-class people... they seem to be stuck on 1960's-70's era DRAFT statistics !!

Answer 4

I would say it's split half and half. When I was in boot camp, there were some people who didn't have much common sense. Others simply had no other place to go.

I was offered a full-ride scholarship to three different universities, but I decided to join the Marine Corps right after high school instead. I felt it was the least I could do for my country, especially in a time of need.

Answer 5

It really doesn't surprise me. They really try to select the best of the best when recruiting for the US Military now days. With ASVAB scores, an intense background check, and very picky questions it's hard to get through. My husband in in the USAF. He was so nervous that he wouldn't get in even though he's never had anything go on his permanent record or gotten into that much trouble. His ASVAB scores turned out to be average but that was because he was nervous. On the other hand, our friend couldn't get in because of one minor offense and average ASVAB scores. I've also heard of many being turned away for past injuries. My other friend [who is very smart] joined the Army with great scores and no issues on his record. It's crazy but believable.

Answer 6

i believe the military wants people with a diploma. my niece comes from a poor family. and was a sharp shooter in the marines, she was an all A student. when she got out, she married a man who works for the FBI and is going to school for a degree in criminal law.

Answer 7

I did know that! I think it has something to do with caring about issues and actual facts, rather than talking points. Oh, and the ability to do a simple web search.

Answer 8

That's really worrying if they are supposed to be better educated. After Abu Ghraib I thought they were all trailer trash.

Answer 9

I would think the recruits would be pretty much even across the board.

Answer 10

Is this enlisted or officers you are talking about?