Armed forces scale back, PA young people often disappointed

[NorwichDad]

Here is an interesting article. 5 pager.

Quotes
But, as the U.S. military brings troops home from Afghanistan and reduces the number of recruits for budgetary reasons, services that once were thought to be the employer of last resort are now being much more selective.

Fewer military jobs in addition to the already dim economic climate for 16- to 24-year olds — for whom the unemployment rate is more than double the rate in the general population — is especially troubling in Pennsylvania. The state has long been a top recruiting ground for the armed forces, and many now see that route to employment cut off.

Now, 99 percent of recruits have high-school diplomas. Teens are sent away for being overweight, having tattoos, Cs in science and even dirty ears. (Though they can come back after their ears have been cleaned.)

The Pentagon estimates that 75 percent of 17- to 24-year olds are not eligible to serve in the military.

http://newpittsburghcourieronline.c...le-back-pa-young-people-often-disappointed/4/