May 23, 2012
The DoD estimates that 75 percent of our young adults are not qualified to join the military. Meaning, three out of four 17 to 24 year-olds in the U.S. currently cannot enlist due to a variety of disqualifying factors.
- 1 in 4 young adults is too overweight
Of the US population that is between the age of 17 and 24 (approximately 31 million people) an estimated 1 in 3 is unfit for service according to the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The main reason being obesity. Visit www.militaryspot.com/enlist/can-i-join-the-military-if-im-obese to calculate your BMI based on you height and weight.
- 1 in 10 has had a serious run-in with the law
The military has standards. Most people understand there are physical standards – it makes sense that a recruit should be at some base level of fitness in order to carry out a job involving physical strain. However, less people are aware that the military also has moral character standards. Each branch has specific requirements in regards to what kind of criminal record the branch will accept and what it will not. Branches will look at the entire criminal record of a candidate and will evaluate them individually, depending on the specific circumstances.
- Others have a range of health problems that disqualify them.
A history of mental depression and/or other mental health problems in addition to obvious extremity issues with the upper and lower body. Certain blood issues and severe conditions relating to the heart and other organs serve as possible disqualifying factors as well.