Comments on: Army opens prep school to recruit dropouts

By: Mary Ellen

Mary Ellen — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 00:02:42 +0000

I dont know about all this drop out of school kids in the military, such a shame. Just two weeks ago I said goodbye to our son as he left to serve up to a year in Iraq with the national guard, he is in the military 16 years now, anyway when we took him to the local gap to get his bus to the airport I did see alot of very young boys there, just broke my heart. Can only pray for them all.

By: Kirk M

Kirk M — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 17:11:15 +0000

During my time in the navy (submarines), the navy welcomed those who dropped out of high school. Once out of bootcamp the first school they attended earned the the equivalent of a GED and if any student was found lacking in any particular skill such as reading or math then concentration was focused on that specific lack per individual student. There were amazingly view failures (Naval schools and the respective instructors have long been considered the best in the world).

The trade off was a minimum enlistment of 4 years for regular ratings (fields of expertise) and 6 years for any of the advanced ratings, mine being advanced computers and electronics for example. After your enlistment was up you had GI bill benefits which paid for a large portion of higher education and I believe all of the above is still in effect today along with a revamped GI bill.

Obviously a major difference of ultimate goals between services. A dropout could join the Navy, receive all the above benefits and spend their enlistment mostly out of combat situations that those in the Army would undoubtedly be exposed to unless they chose to join one of the Naval special forces or became a medic (they service both Navy and Marines) or fighter pilot. It doesn’t mean there wouldn’t be danger involved for those on ships or shore duty but not the type you’d find in as a foot soldier in a land war.

In a way, the Navy version has always had many more assets than liabilities attached to the educational benefits whereas the “new” Army version sounds like it comes with an almost guarantee of seeing ground or air combat. This is not necessarily a bad thing since those “dropouts” who don’t want anything to do with the armed forces won’t bother to join but still, it’s an enticement with definite goal in mind…more troops to send into the current conflicts.

And the draft? Watch the sh** hit the fan (‘scuse the French). Obama probably won’t, McCain probably will. ‘Nuff said.

By: Koe Whitton-Williams

Koe Whitton-Williams — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 01:12:12 +0000

I think you may be right about reinstating the draft. . . I find it interesting that the draft was one of the things that led to so much protest against the war in Vietnam. Everyone was at risk once most of the deferments were taken away. The lack of a draft today almost makes it too easy to get involved in these wars.

Hopefully. Never. Again.

By: child behavior problems

child behavior problems — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:20:27 +0000

How funny the statement is that Army would open the schools for its manpower outage maintenance:) Do American military professional thinks that people would hesitate to serve their country and children growing in such war fare like 9/11 and other insurgence situations developed within US or outside US but by US? Things are definitely confusing much and leadership has blown a last punch on this critical situation, fueling this with new and young bodies would lead the situation with worst conditions, I suggest let the American children again to follow same old saying that “thing that doesnt make money doesnt make sense either” they need business activity in their practical lives and some research on new technologies rather than stuffing them in army…….US is still safe and living worthy place but if it stop indulging into other nations.

Think seriously!

child behavior problems

By: cilicious

cilicious — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 15:38:31 +0000

Wow.
Some young people choose to serve their country and thrive in a military environment. And I really don’t have a problem with national service of *some* sort.
But this is a very different scenario indeed.

By: Karen

Karen — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 12:27:23 +0000

As someone who struggled to do my best in a broken, ineffective educational system for 30 years, I know that one of the things that America desperately needs are schools that truly teach and motivate from the very start. A society whose citizens can’t read, can’t function. A “prep school for drop-outs” to have more fodder for the army? Makes me sick!

By: Elaine

Elaine — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 13:12:35 +0000

Background check – excellent point!
Keli – unfortunately our educational system is need of a complete overhaul. The drop out rate for a country such as ours is shameful.
James - very true.
Therapydoc – I certainly hope you are right! The next 2 months are about to get very dirty though and the GOP will stop at nothing to get their candidate elected.
Laoch – welcome back and yes it is!

By: Laoch

Laoch — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 04:59:09 +0000

wow, this is so frightening on so many levels

By: therapydoc

therapydoc — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 03:27:17 +0000

I had no idea. But it’s seeming unlikely that the Republicans will win this election. The Democratic convention put out a ticket that will be hard to beat.

By: James Andrew

James Andrew — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 01:28:06 +0000

Hopefully the number of drop outs especially in high school will lessen and it’s important that they will be given enough education and THEY SHOULD be in school learning and studying instead.