We have too many who can't make it through basic even in the all volunteer force. Huffing paint, computer screen cleaner, failure to comprehend or follow instructions, continual mouthing off, petty theft, inability to get out of bed, minor injury malingering, all washes them out of BMT.
The military is neither equipped or funded to transform society as it previously was. Those funds have now gone to social welfare funding as political patronage.
FYI, a friend was commander of a unit that does USAF basic electronics training as a first step for various advanced skills. Electronics is a difficult program to enter and takes a fairly high aptitude score. He booted out two trainees last year because the first sergeant caught them huffing gold paint in their dorm room, with gold paint on their faces and floor. Two days after giving them an Art 15 non judicial punishment, he was in the exchange and saw them buying quantities of computer screen cleaner, so he asked the NCO to pay them another visit. He did and found them goofy huffing the stuff with it over their faces and in paper bags. So they were given general discharges and booted from an expensive program with virtually unlimited prospects for career USAF advancement or civilian jobs. Can't fix stupid.
The majority of our BSA young people are outstanding, high achievers. And I'm riding next week with the Air Force team on RAGBRAI. Extremely talented people. I'll post photos.
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