I am going to jump in here and laugh at this one....I spent just as much, if not more time overseas in Combat during the first four years after 2001 as any of my peers in the Army. To this day I still know Marines who are deploying for 12 months at a time into Afghanistan, with just 12 months between deployment.
I think you will find that it was around 2005 that both the Army and the Marine Corps recognized the need to increase the down time between combat deployments. Both Branches adjusted accordingly.
From my experience, Scout is right in his assessment. It is the recruitment and retention policies that have led to this predicament. I seen this issue raise its ugly head in the late 70's in both the Marine Corps and Army after Vietnam, particularly the overlooking of potential trouble areas such as gang affiliation and other troubling legal issues.
I do differ in his opinion concerning High School drop outs. The reason is simple, I have seen too many HS Drop outs from rural areas who left high school not because they just quit, but because they had to get a JOB to support their Family...and I am not talking about supporting Children, but supporting brothers, sisters and parents. I have also witnessed many HS Drop outs who given the chance once in the Military go on to complete their GED and then study to get a college degree.
One such person I know is currently serving as a Marine Gunner in Afghanistan. He dropped out of HS in 1982 to support his disabled Mother and Brother at 16 by working full time. In 1985 at age 19 he managed to enlist in the Corps as an infantryman. Once at his permanent duty station he managed to get his GED and then started to take night classes on post for his college degree. I am proud to say that he was one of the finer Recruits I had the privilege of training as a Drill Instructor.
In that regard, the Military has given many an opportunity to better themselves and achieve great things.
Edit: This is not to say that all HS Drop outs are good....However this is an area where our professional recruiting staff really needs to tread lightly and review the reasons why someone left high school.