Posted on Feb 23, 2015
SFC Information Technology Specialist
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Is it just me or has anyone else seen the huge impact that society is now making on our military culture? From my point of view Society has no idea what it takes for civilians to be transformed into Soldiers. It is a mind set and physical conditioning to say the least that must take place for a civilian to become a Soldier. I am currently an IET Instructor that has personal experience in this. We are trying to mold Soldiers not some powder puff who can’t handle a field exercise. Rally Point let me know what you think of this.
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Responses: 10
COL Jean (John) F. B.
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Edited 10 y ago
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The military is a microcosm of our society and reflects its morals and values, good and bad. While I personally believe that the military reinforces the positives and instills moral values at a level higher than society as a whole, the recent efforts of social engineering and political correctness have permeated our military to the point of degrading its readiness and standing within our culture.

Immoral conduct; lack of respect for authority; degradation of standards so everyone can succeed, regardless of individual or biological capabilities; and the multitude of PC/social engineering that has been foisted on the military by people who don't have a clue about the realities of military life and requirements have had a devastating effect on the military and, unless changed, will continue until our military is just another third rate organization.

The military is not for everyone. As it is now, a very small percentage of the American population can qualify for military service. The result will be a lowering of standards to accept them, just to maintain strength levels. I, for one, would rather have a smaller force comprised of the right people than a larger force full of folks who have no business being there.

With the number of politicians who have served in the military dwindling to insignificant numbers, we are on a trend that will not be easily reversed. They simply do not understand the military and, therefore, they are unlikely to do anything to reverse the problems we all see with what is happening.

When you allow former (or current) gang members, people with past (or current) drug use, moral degenerates (and you know who I am speaking about), and people of a certain sex who can't perform the basic functions of a specific job without changing the standards to accommodate them, to serve in the military, it becomes less a military and more of a jobs program.

I know that I am old school and my comments are not PC, but they are true and, unless we get back to the "old school" standards, our military will be in the same sad state of affairs that the rest of society is already in.
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Cpl Michael Strickler
Cpl Michael Strickler
10 y
COL Jean (John) F. B., I skip the slow clap and go straight for the fireworks, cannons, and fruit baskets...
well said sir
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SPC Elisabeth Vinal
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Civilians will never understand the military life.
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SPC David S.
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Edited 10 y ago
I feel as if society has already reached a tipping point.

#1 Males account for approximately 70 percent of all D’s and F’s in U.S. public schools.

#2 About two-thirds of all students in “special education programs” are boys.

#3 The average American girl spends 5 hours a week playing video games. The average American boy spends 13 hours a week playing video games.

#4 The average young American will spend 10,000 hours playing video games before the age of 21.

#5 One study discovered that 88 percent of all Americans between the ages of 8 and 18 play video games, and that video game addiction is approximately four times as common among boys as it is among girls.

#6 At this point, 15-year-olds that attend U.S. public schools do not even rank in the top half of all industrialized nations when it comes to math or science literacy.

#7 In 2011, SAT scores for young men were the worst that they had been in 40 years.

#8 According to a survey conducted by the National Geographic Society, only 37 percent of all Americans between the ages of 18 and 24 can find the nation of Iraq on a map.

#9 According to the New York Times, approximately 57 percent of all young people enrolled at U.S. colleges are women.

#10 It is being projected that women will earn 60 percent of all Bachelor’s degrees from U.S. universities by the year 2016.

Pretty soon, if not already, its going to get real hard to find qualified males for military service.
One of the problems I'd like to point out is that back in 1950, 78 percent of all households in the United States contained a married couple. Today, that number has declined to 48 percent. Maybe there's a correlation maybe not. If nothing else its another indicator that this integral part of society is also losing ground. To me its not surprising as we have walled off religion and destroyed the nuclear family; the two prime sources of morals and values. Today kids are being mentored by video games, fast food, and Kim Kardashian's badonkadonk.
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Cpl Michael Strickler
Cpl Michael Strickler
10 y
I voted you up SPC David S. because I feel society is at a tipping point as well, but I do resent the blame being placed on video games and the like. Playing a video game for entertainment is the same as reading a book, hunting, playing a sport, etc. They are all entertainment. What you do for fun has nothing to do with your morals, work ethic, etc. Do not get me wrong, unfortunately there are gamers that do fit into your fold of ineptitude, but that is like me blaming serial killers on religion or guns for killing people.

In addition I would also like to point out that the advances in technology today were not created by today's youth. They were and are introduced by the ones that should know better (by that I mean all the generations born before 1990 - we should all know better). You cannot be part of the generation that invented the tv or game console, get rich from them buying it for eighteen years, and then wonder why kids do not go outside any more... (not saying that you are... just a general statement.)

And parents should start disciplining their kids again. I am not saying that spanking is the way to go and that a stern voice is not enough (it is so far for my daughter), but I was spanked and I turned out fine...

sorry, rant over... but WTF on number ten... maybe women should rule the world?!
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PO1 Dave Parks
PO1 Dave Parks
>1 y
I believe that skew towards maleness is explainable. Boys and girls of the same biologic age are 2 years apart in maturity. Start boys at 7 with girls that are 5. Boys, biologically, more prone to activity, that's not a bad thing or thing that needs to be regulated with drugs. We want a GOOD outcome for kids, but we, as a society, have not learned to teach success. We claim to be so smart, but can't figure out how to teach. I think the military schools and how they teach is excellent. So much to be said...
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