Only 25% of Americans between 17 and 24 are qualified to join the military

I'm an alcoholic. I don't qualify because I met my recruiter wasted.

[QUOTE="SamusFreak"]Fun fact, Air Force is the only branch you can't get in with a GED (unless they changed it recently)

ad1x2

Actually, no branch is accepting GEDs right now except in very, very limited situations. Blame the economy for that one. If you have 15 semester hours of college that puts you in the same category as someone with a high school diploma.

well i can't becuase i am not american...

Shrimp_Scampi

*puts fingers in ears*

Obesity isn't not a real epidemic in this country and causes no problems. WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!

*puts fingers in ears*

Obesity isn't not a real epidemic in this country and causes no problems. WHAT? I CAN'T HEAR YOU!!!!

Serraph105

I can't hear you 'cause of my f***in' ear fat.

They let me in not only with a criminal conviction but a recent one at that. It probably helped that i was an absolute physical marvel and had a 99 and 135 on the AFQT and GT respectively.

Ended up getting a best of cycle award and a CoA for my absolutely astounding APFT performance. This topic reminds me how much i wish i was still in. Id probably be an E-8 or with some luck, an 0-2 to 0-3 by now. So depressing. :(

Part of this is the military's fault. Their requirements on medical history are very hardcore. Even having depression or insomnia would disqualify you. They essentially only want ubermenchen and yet are complaining that so little of the population can meet their demands.gameguy6700

[QUOTE="ad1x2"]That's where some people get confused. The military has a weight table based on your height but you can exceed that weight as long as your body fat is good. For the Army (each branch varies on this) you can join at 26% if you're male or at 32% if female. This is in place because some people work out alot and as a result wouldn't make their weight.Palantas

That's true, but is the study referenced based on the Army's definitions or a more loose definition of fat/obese?

It's based on the Army's method. They measure your neck and waist at your navel if you're male and your neck, the smallest part of your waist, and the largest part of your hips if you're female. They calculate those numbers on a form and the numbers determine your body fat. Large necks and small waists and hips are what you want if you're over the maximum body weight.

[QUOTE="Shrimp_Scampi"]

well i can't becuase i am not american...

njdevilsfan85

If you're not a US citizen you have to be a Permanent Resident (Green Card holder) to enlist. The only exception to this is if you're from the Federated States of Micronesia , Palau, or the Republic of the Marshall Islands you can enlist without US citizenship or a Green Card. Also, there's a program called the MAVNI (Military Accessions Vital to the National Interest) that allows people who been here for two years legally to enlist if they have a medical or language skill the military needs. Language skills include dialects like Farsi, Tagalog, and a few others. Common ones like Spanish aren't on the list. You can't join with just a visa if you don't qualify for MAVNI and you can't join if you're here illegally. Also, you can't just fly over here while on vacation, see a recruiter, and enlist. To allow any foreigner who wanted to join to enlist would be considered a security risk.

I would've enlisted right out of high school but I've had rheumatoid arthritis since I was 16. Among other problems, 2 joints in my left hand and 1 in my right have literally fused shut, it would be pretty hard for me just to squeeze a trigger much less keep up with all the other physical demands. :(

I'm flat-footed so...

I'm flat-footed so...

Virtual_Price

[QUOTE="cmdrmonkey45"][QUOTE="thegerg"]

WTF does this mean?

Haha. Do you think there were not political motivations behind conflicts before the Korean War?You certainly can't be so dense.

Also, how much oil is currently being exported from/produced by Afghanistan? The assertion that the war in Afghanistan is a "blood for oil" conflict is freaking ridiculous.

Sweet! I'm one of them. Just medical issues in the head.

As a fat person, I am definatley aware of our shortcomings. However, the technical interpretation of obese/overweight (as I am assuming this study is using) is pretty rediculous, specifically because it is going by the BMI I wager.

Sure, a skinny dude can run a 15-mile run faster than a fat man...but he is gonna be A.) near death, B.) exhausted, and C.) require food and water immediately or else he will perish.

Conversely, a "husky" guy (by husky, I mean someone overweight, but not obese) will be able to walk or jog for pretty much forever without issue, be able to carry a 60-pound sack forever, and will be able to endure harsh conditions far better. In addition, a "husky" man's physical capability, specifically strength, lifting ability, etc is far greater than a skinny dude.

I would much rather have an army of 6'1'', 200-240 pound people that can trudge their way through anything than an army of 6'1' 150-180 pound sprinters that have to return to base after one day due to malnutrition.

*I wish I could find the study that says soldiers on the top of the military's physical requirements fare better on patrols in Afghanistan

Just about everybody is. You basically have to lie about everything to get through MEPS. I marked no on everything except the "are you in good health" one.

SpartanMSU

Which is what I should've done, what a mistake that was.

Meh, I could join. I've got a little bit out of shape but that's about it.

[QUOTE="thegerg"]

[QUOTE="cmdrmonkey45"] Korea and Vietnam = forcing capitalism on people who didn't want it Gulf War, Iraq and Afghanistan = blood for oil 67gt500

Haha. Do you think there were not political motivations behind conflicts before the Korean War?You certainly can't be so dense.

Also, how much oil is currently being exported from/produced by Afghanistan? The assertion that the war in Afghanistan is a "blood for oil" conflict is freaking ridiculous.

The US isn't taking any opium or minerals...we are actually trying to get them to stop growing it by offering them alternatives...

Are people really this stupid?

As a fat person, I am definatley aware of our shortcomings. However, the technical interpretation of obese/overweight (as I am assuming this study is using) is pretty rediculous, specifically because it is going by the BMI I wager.

Sure, a skinny dude can run a 15-mile run faster than a fat man...but he is gonna be A.) near death, B.) exhausted, and C.) require food and water immediately or else he will perish.

Conversely, a "husky" guy (by husky, I mean someone overweight, but not obese) will be able to walk or jog for pretty much forever without issue, be able to carry a 60-pound sack forever, and will be able to endure harsh conditions far better. In addition, a "husky" man's physical capability, specifically strength, lifting ability, etc is far greater than a skinny dude.

I would much rather have an army of 6'1'', 200-240 pound people that can trudge their way through anything than an army of 6'1' 150-180 pound sprinters that have to return to base after one day due to malnutrition.

*I wish I could find the study that says soldiers on the top of the military's physical requirements fare better on patrols in Afghanistan

mrbojangles25

A husky person requires more energy hence more food and water to function properly buddy...this is basic science.

[QUOTE="mrbojangles25"]

As a fat person, I am definatley aware of our shortcomings. However, the technical interpretation of obese/overweight (as I am assuming this study is using) is pretty rediculous, specifically because it is going by the BMI I wager.

Sure, a skinny dude can run a 15-mile run faster than a fat man...but he is gonna be A.) near death, B.) exhausted, and C.) require food and water immediately or else he will perish.

Conversely, a "husky" guy (by husky, I mean someone overweight, but not obese) will be able to walk or jog for pretty much forever without issue, be able to carry a 60-pound sack forever, and will be able to endure harsh conditions far better. In addition, a "husky" man's physical capability, specifically strength, lifting ability, etc is far greater than a skinny dude.

I would much rather have an army of 6'1'', 200-240 pound people that can trudge their way through anything than an army of 6'1' 150-180 pound sprinters that have to return to base after one day due to malnutrition.

*I wish I could find the study that says soldiers on the top of the military's physical requirements fare better on patrols in Afghanistan

SpartanMSU

A husky person requires more energy hence more food and water to function properly buddy...this is basic science.

true, but they can also last longer without it. So, sure, while they might need to consume more once they get back to base, they can also last longer on patrol due to greater reserves of both fat and muscle. That is also basic science, pal :P

[QUOTE="67gt500"][QUOTE="thegerg"]

Haha. Do you think there were not political motivations behind conflicts before the Korean War?You certainly can't be so dense.

Also, how much oil is currently being exported from/produced by Afghanistan? The assertion that the war in Afghanistan is a "blood for oil" conflict is freaking ridiculous.

SpartanMSU

The US isn't taking any opium or minerals...we are actually trying to get them to stop growing it by offering them alternatives...

Are people really this stupid?

havent you heard? Apparently the US is evil! Woogeee booogeeee, world, watch out for the evil us! All your opium are belong to us

As a fat person, I am definatley aware of our shortcomings. However, the technical interpretation of obese/overweight (as I am assuming this study is using) is pretty rediculous, specifically because it is going by the BMI I wager.

Sure, a skinny dude can run a 15-mile run faster than a fat man...but he is gonna be A.) near death, B.) exhausted, and C.) require food and water immediately or else he will perish.

Conversely, a "husky" guy (by husky, I mean someone overweight, but not obese) will be able to walk or jog for pretty much forever without issue, be able to carry a 60-pound sack forever, and will be able to endure harsh conditions far better. In addition, a "husky" man's physical capability, specifically strength, lifting ability, etc is far greater than a skinny dude.

I would much rather have an army of 6'1'', 200-240 pound people that can trudge their way through anything than an army of 6'1' 150-180 pound sprinters that have to return to base after one day due to malnutrition.

*I wish I could find the study that says soldiers on the top of the military's physical requirements fare better on patrols in Afghanistan

mrbojangles25

[QUOTE="mrbojangles25"]

As a fat person, I am definatley aware of our shortcomings. However, the technical interpretation of obese/overweight (as I am assuming this study is using) is pretty rediculous, specifically because it is going by the BMI I wager.

Sure, a skinny dude can run a 15-mile run faster than a fat man...but he is gonna be A.) near death, B.) exhausted, and C.) require food and water immediately or else he will perish.

Conversely, a "husky" guy (by husky, I mean someone overweight, but not obese) will be able to walk or jog for pretty much forever without issue, be able to carry a 60-pound sack forever, and will be able to endure harsh conditions far better. In addition, a "husky" man's physical capability, specifically strength, lifting ability, etc is far greater than a skinny dude.

I would much rather have an army of 6'1'', 200-240 pound people that can trudge their way through anything than an army of 6'1' 150-180 pound sprinters that have to return to base after one day due to malnutrition.

*I wish I could find the study that says soldiers on the top of the military's physical requirements fare better on patrols in Afghanistan

ad1x2

I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs.:)

I'm probably in good enough condition to join but I dont want to. It's not for any political reasons I just dont like war. I hold our soldiers in high esteem though and I apreciate their bravery and sacrifice.

I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs.:)

SpartanMSU

And I'm 5'6 and 175 lbs. When I originally joined I was 137 lbs but put on muscle since. You'll find a few who are under 200 but most will be over it.

[QUOTE="SpartanMSU"]

I'm 6'1" and 190 lbs.:)

ad1x2

And I'm 5'6 and 175 lbs. When I originally joined I was 137 lbs but put on muscle since. You'll find a few who are under 200 but most will be over it.

Yeah NCOs and older officers. Most privates aren't that big.