Should the age limit be raised to join the military?
By katr0713
@katr0713 (92)
January 6, 2009 12:17pm CST
I am in the military and came in as a 23 year old who had been on my own for a number of years. I look around me at the young men and woman that are now serving and although I am proud of them, I feel as if a bit more experience and maturity under their belts would benefit both them and the armed forces. Thoughts?
4 people like this
5 responses
@FayeSLongo (306)
• United States
6 Jan 09
I agree 100%, the age on men and women going into the military SHOULD be raised. It has NEVER made sense to me that the men and women in this country can chose to go to war and die at the age of eighteen but they can't drink until they're 21 that makes NO sense at all what so ever. I am not suggesting for a moment that the drinking age be lowered but I AM suggesting that the age at which a person can join the military be raised!
@crigal (105)
• United States
10 Jan 09
Totally disagree! The age of joining the military and the minimum age for drinking are two totally different agendas! You have an 18 year old who wants to join the military to support the US...are you going to deny him/her the opportunity to join? And you are wrong when you state that the men and women in this country choose to go to war to die....NO ONE chooses to want to die! What they do is choose to support the right of people like you to give whatever "opinion" they have.
1 person likes this
@FayeSLongo (306)
• United States
11 Jan 09
Sorry I forgot something...
I would also like to add that I appreciate the selflessness of the people that serve for this country and even though I may not agree with their being mature enough to really handle or make the decision to join, I still support them, I am grateful to the men and women that serve for my country NO MATTER HOW OLD THEY ARE!
This discussion was not meant to address personal opinions on the war or those fighting, it was meant to discuss whether the age to register was appropriate and no I do not think it is. Eighteen is too young and I used the drinking age to illustrate that point.
1 person likes this
@lsflohr (6)
• United States
7 Jan 09
I think it depends on the person. Maybe the military should look at some type of testing on maturity instead of just the ASAB. Two of my sons entered the military right after highschool graduation. Both scored high scores. They both had 6 years stints. One has just reenlisted for his 2nd 6 years, and just made E-6, Petty Officer 1st class . Whether he was mature or not when entering, it made him grow up and take responsibility seriously. My other is about to finish his 6 years, plans to get out go to school full time and join the Air National Guard to continue twoard retirement. I also had a son who joined at 23 this past year after attending a 2 year school and working 2 years.
It is partly the parents responsiblity to help them decide if they are ready. Maybe instead of recruiters signing anyone who can pass all the requirements, they should make sure they learn about the person and their maturity and not just promise them anything.
Once they are signed up, it is their superiors jobs to help mentor them. I feel sometimes they do not help them mature but hinder it. I hear stories that make me think they are not the best role leaders in some cases.
Kind of like my opinion on a driers license-- should no hinge on the age but a common sense and maturity testing.-- thanks for letting me rant.
@katr0713 (92)
•
8 Jan 09
Not a rant at all. You made alot of sense. I'm glad that your son's are success stories, and I think you are right; alot of a childs maturity depends on the parents. You are also right about the mentors. We in the military are trying, and hopefully getting better at it, but unfortunately, we dont always do such a great job of mentoring. Unfortunately, some of it has to do with the fact that mampower is getting lower and lower, our deployment taskings are more frequent and for a longer period of time, and there are no replacements at the home stations to fill in for the people who are left behind. In some shops mentoring takes a back seat to actually getting the job done. I know it sounds like a cop-out, unfortunately, that is OUR reality. Another unfortunate situation is the recruits themselves. As I think I stated earlier, many are just looking for a better life and/or a way out of a bad situation (whether economic or social). Recruiters dont care, they are just trying to fill their quotas, and that is their job, so I'm not faulting them. Its just a long chain... I am happy for you and your son's success though.
1 person likes this
@missybal (4490)
• United States
24 Jan 09
My husband was 23 when he joined and I can tell you he is regretting it now that he didn't go in at 18. For one I can tell you since I've been with him since he was 19 that he matured more in that first six months in the military then he did between 19 and 23 prior to the military. The confidence the military gave him was something he felt he was missing all that time before, while he was going to college trying to find himself there. Of course it's different for everyone when it is right for them. Thank you for your service!
@tjades (3591)
• Jamaica
10 Jan 09
Hi katro0713... I do not have a problem with 18yr olds enlisting/joining the army. I think it is a very good place for them to learn disciplin, life skills and to mature properly.
All of those depend on the effectiveness of the programs used for training these young people and the behaviour of their superiors. This is where my concern lies. The youth will always be wayward and have some level of indiscipline and during their time of service they may also adopt other indisciplined behaviours instead of losing those they entered with..
I have friends in the army here but my veiws are based entirely on my observations.
@mommamusic (882)
• United States
24 Jan 09
Well i agree with you i know my stepson was 19 went into the Marines he was not mentally ready by any means.But it was his choice he thought is was going to be a piece of cake,crying to come home before he had ever started is training.But i will say he lasted his four years,now he is in the reserves and is on his second tour Iraq.
