No More 17 Year Olds In the Fleet

Shortone1286689 · 06-11-2011, 05:56 PM

I agree with treating them as adults but the problem often lies with the kids themselves. Yes, kids. I hate to sound like a downer but when I was in high school (2007) and talked to the guys going into the military (at 17 or 18) the most common responses I got to "Why are you enlisting?" were either "I wanna kill people/terrorists." or "I wanna blow sh*t up!" Granted, I know boot camp teaches them otherwise, but the reality is that these are still kids. The reality of it just doesn't hit home with a lot of them until they get sent to combat. I've had four friends in differing branches come home in either casts or body bags. Not a single one was over 18 when he enlisted.

06-11-2011, 05:56 PM	#4
Shortone1286689 Newbie Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Rome, GA Posts: 14 Rep Power: 0	I agree with treating them as adults but the problem often lies with the kids themselves. Yes, kids. I hate to sound like a downer but when I was in high school (2007) and talked to the guys going into the military (at 17 or 18) the most common responses I got to "Why are you enlisting?" were either "I wanna kill people/terrorists." or "I wanna blow sh*t up!" Granted, I know boot camp teaches them otherwise, but the reality is that these are still kids. The reality of it just doesn't hit home with a lot of them until they get sent to combat. I've had four friends in differing branches come home in either casts or body bags. Not a single one was over 18 when he enlisted.