Military Basic Training for all youth?

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

Military basic training for all youth. I wonder if that’s feasible. They would learn some discipline and respect, and a job skill. 8 weeks of basic and 8 weeks of AIT (Advanced Infantry Training for you non vets). I learned some basic carpentry skills in AIT. They do this in Israel. This would result in a better youth than we are seeing today. When I got out of Basic I was in the best physical shape ever. Running 10 miles and 100 push-ups was nothing.

Rikao4 · 09-20-2019, 07:43 AM

the death toll would be staggering....
fat and lazy parents = what we have now...
and no one is going to yell at their precious special failure...

Rika

masraum · 09-20-2019, 07:47 AM

It would be great for the folks that are capable. Unfortunately, it would never fly.

Alan A · 09-20-2019, 07:50 AM

I think it’s a good idea. But I also recognize that it’s only ever suggested by people that are too old to do it themselves.

How about something like the Guard. One week a year for everyone.

look 171 · 09-20-2019, 08:13 AM

I worked in the hood as a shop teacher after I got out of school. They have a JR ROTC program. Those kids were shaped up and on the ball and are pretty well behave. They even shoot BB guns in the basement. I say its a great idea

Sooner or later · 09-20-2019, 08:16 AM

"Fat" chance

Evans, Marv · 09-20-2019, 08:23 AM

When I was in basic in the '60s, it was a decent sampling of the male population. (We only had one guy at the absolute bottom of the physical performance totem pole. I even remember his last name to this day. He improved very much by the end.) I can't say "dennis in se pa's" claim of running ten miles and doing 100 pushups was feasible for any of us, but the experience was universally beneficial - except for one guy who was a real criminal type and went AWOL. Our platoon was just a group of random guys at the start and ended up a good cohesive bunch mostly helping each other out by the end.

asphaltgambler · 09-20-2019, 08:26 AM

[QUOTE=Rikao4;10598595]the death toll would be staggering....
/QUOTE]

OK - that's funny as I immediately came to the same solution

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Evans, Marv

When I was in basic in the '60s, it was a decent sampling of the male population. (We only had one guy at the absolute bottom of the physical performance totem pole. I even remember his last name to this day. He improved very much by the end.) I can't say "dennis in se pa's" claim of running ten miles and doing 100 pushups was feasible for any of us, but the experience was universally beneficial - except for one guy who was a real criminal type and went AWOL. Our platoon was just a group of random guys at the start and ended up a good cohesive bunch mostly helping each other out by the end.

I went in in 1972. 5 miles running to the range just about everyday, and 5 miles back, and we all could do that many push-ups by the end of training. Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri. I appreciated just being free when I got out. We had one over weight guy - boy did he slim down by the end. They made him do extra at the end of the day.

Now get down and give me 50!

dad911 · 09-20-2019, 08:37 AM

Doc notes for bone spurs would be way up.

All men still are required to register for draft within 30 days of 18th birthday.

I wonder what percentage actually do.

herr_oberst · 09-20-2019, 08:38 AM

Reading the Vape thread got me thinking about all the 19-21 year old kids a couple of generations ago who were commanding bombing raids over Germany.

Of course a requirement to service for all 18 year-olds' would be a great idea, and of course it will never happen.

VincentVega · 09-20-2019, 08:38 AM

I like the idea of something like the CCC. Maybe work during the summers and a year or so after/before school loan forgiveness/credit/refi help. Learning to work together, learn some skills, see your work have an impact. Several ways to accomplish that.

Evans, Marv · 09-20-2019, 08:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

I went in in 1972. 5 miles running to the range just about everyday, and 5 miles back, and we all could do that many push-ups by the end of training. Ft Leonard Wood, Missouri. I appreciated just being free when I got out. We had one over weight guy - boy did he slim down by the end. They made him do extra at the end of the day.

Now get down and give me 50!

Ha! Right now at my age, I doubt I could give you 50. Haven't even tried in a long time. I was in better shape and more athletic than almost everybody in my company during basic. I went through at Ft. Ord, and thought basic training was somewhat of a joke. We didn't have to run hardly anywhere. In fact I got our platoon together to make laps of the barracks in the evenings, and the cadre Sgts. put a stop to that.

Shaun @ Tru6 · 09-20-2019, 08:48 AM

It is one of the few things that would save our country. We are doomed without it.

Hard-Deck · 09-20-2019, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

AIT (Advanced Infantry Training for you non vets).

Small correction humbly... AIT is Advanced Individual Training.

Agreed, this would be great! However, it would break the VA with the resulting medical claims. Our youth is mostly physically soft these days in comparison (I’m 51 YO for reference). More than 1/2 of our Company-level officers these days have never been in a fistfight, and the effect is apparent.

dennis in se pa · dennis in se pa's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snapper33

Small correction humbly... AIT is Advanced Individual Training.

Agreed, this would be great! However, it would break the VA with the resulting medical claims. Our youth is mostly physically soft these days in comparison (I’m 51 YO for reference). More than 1/2 of our Company-level officers these days have never been in a fistfight, and the effect is apparent.

You are correct sir - I Googled it. I was taught back then Infantry, thanks for the correction.

Hard-Deck · 09-20-2019, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennis in se pa

You are correct sir - I Googled it. I was taught back then Infantry, thanks for the correction.

You are welcome. We succeed with teamwork.

Deschodt · 09:03 AM

I went through this for a year, "military service" as it was called was mandatory for boys over 18 at the time where I grew up... I missed Gulf war I by a few months, and was happy to. The 4 star general I was reporting to (directly!!!) had been overseeing the foreign legion troops there... brought back fun trophies !! I'll confess I hated it initially because of the break it forced in my studies ( and mostly the idea of surrendering to a higher authority which wasn't my parents, and in some cases totally incompetent people) but in hindsight, despite the wasted time, I learned a lot. Aside from the weapons and NBC protection stuff, basic survival skills, basic first aid, learned that people come from all walks of life (made friends with farm kids who couldn't read - it was an eye opener for a "good student"), learned to clean after myself, do laundry, and most importantly made friends with the cooks at base and decided to help out when I was bored out of my skull, and therefore got "free chef techniques training" in the process... Skills that have served me well. I'm all for it, but then again that wasn't in the US which is constantly at war for no good reason, so, grain of salt there as far as where you'd send my kid. Not interested in saving Saudi Arabia for instance.

T77911S · 09-20-2019, 09:07 AM

2 year duty for all unless you go to college

not sure the military could handle that kind of load.

masraum · 09-20-2019, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by look 171

I worked in the hood as a shop teacher after I got out of school. They have a JR ROTC program. Those kids were shaped up and on the ball and are pretty well behave. They even shoot BB guns in the basement. I say its a great idea

That's where it needs to start. In school. (OK, where it really needs to start is at home).