>>>Yup. It's sad. The military now wants to bring back the draft because the average IQ of new recruits is dropping.
>>
>>Well, the economy is in good shape, so only the most unemployable consider the armed forces...
>
>I couldn't let this go by without a comment. Sorry for the flaming but...
>There are more reasons for enlisting in the military than just being employed. Honor and patriotism did have meaning at one point in time but the concept seems to be lost on a large percentage of the current population.
>
>I proudly served in the U.S. Army (1955-1958) and volunteered as opposed to being drafted. Never having been without a job, in my career field, for over 40 years, I don't consider myself among the "hard core unemployable".
>
>I recently had the priviledge to take cruise with my son, a submariner, on the USS Wyoming (SSBN 742) and I can tell you that the men on that boat are way above average in both dedication and intelligence. So, be a little kinder when you speak of those men and women who may have to put themselves in harm's way to protect us civilians. Cheers!

Hi Bob,
As a fellow veteran (and volunteer) of the U.S. Navy (84-90 - including Desert Shield/Storm) it wasn't my intent to denegrate the armed forces or those who serve in them - past, present or future. However it was my experience while serving that most (and I mean almost all) of those with whom I served would have chosen not to enlist had they had better opportunities in the civilian world (If there had been decent, good wage jobs). The smartest folk get scholarships/grants to college or are hired to those skilled jobs which are available. What's left for the rest? And it's no secret that criminal courts offer military enlistment as an alternative to jail time.

So please accept my apologies if I offended you (or any other fellow veterans). I was only agreeing with the previous post. Knowing how many people don't stay past a first enlistment, and knowing how expensive it is to train recruits, I've often wondered why the armed forces don't perform some sort of 'military service aptitude test' on applicants and select only those who would make good career servicemen.

Warmest regards,
Paul M.