About the same percentage (or a little higher) of the public that get scholarships to ivy league schools

How about the rest of my post, with statistical data to back it up, that shoots your argument down?

"I'd definately agree that people that are less intelligent are often poorer then those with more intelligence. This comment may not be real popular with both the less then intelligent, aswell as the poor, but it's still the truth."

That has merit in the macro sense, but keep in mind that those who join the military are young, just beginning their adult lives, and such a blanket statement cannot be applied to this age group until they have had a chance to apply themselves.

 

That's a lot of statistics to sort through.
I should have been overwhelmed since I'm poor

Here is an Apples to Apples number:
2.7 percent of military recruits have a 4 year college degree.

100 - 2.7 = 97.3

If you get your degree there is a 97.3 percent chance you won't get stuck in Iraq.

That's not Kerry said nor meant.
That's what I said and what I mean.

 

maybe I don't know anymore, but don't quite a few people go into the military to further their education? Either to get specific training for a career or to get college paid? I have know a few that have used such programs. I fail to see how that makes them dumber than a college graduate. I don't get the point of some of the numbers quoted. It is obvious that those that want to serve would do so before getting a college degree unless they wanted a degree from a military institute that would propel them further in the armed forces.

 

There is a big difference between recruits and people in the military. Most enlisted people earn their degree while serving (again, applying themselves, working hard, and improving themselves), not before they join, or are "recruited" Also, is that 2.7 number the military as a whole, officers, enlisted? Not saying it is not accurate, just genuinely curious.

 

I've actually known quite a few that had college degrees and then enlisted (personnaly I called them dumb because they should have talked to the officer recruiter first, but that's a whole different debate)...most times people, like myself, did not have the money to pay for a 4 year degree...but the Government sure does..

 

The military (all branches) is 83 % enlisted and 17 % commisioned officer.

Nearly all officers have a degree (exception some of the Warrant Officer corp and those receiving Direct commissions)

The breakdown for the entire military is 22% degreed and 78% non-degreed.

'Recruits' means just that, only those new inductees into the enlisted ranks.
The percentage is low (2.7%) because most are aged 18-22 and could not have completed college by that point in their young lives.

All of those numbers are 2003 but, I wouldn't expect a large skew in the last three years.

 

I must have missed any statistical data you provided that shoots my arguement down. Admittedly, I don't have the time to read thru the 15 page link you posted. Aside from that, the only thing you said hinting at statistical data was "There were statistics just on the news (I dont remember the specifics)" If your arguement is that 18 year olds entering the military on average come from a wealthier family then 18 year olds going to college, I'm not buying it. If you take soldiers going to a military academy, and college students going to ivey league schools out of the equation (since they are the exception rather then the norm) and look at what is left, I think you'd find that your average joe going to boot camp would normally come from a poorer family then the average student going to a university.

 

No, the numbers stated that family incomes of recruits were slightly higher than family incomes in general.

Military recruitment has a very high percentage of high school graduates.
Non-high school graduates make up a high percentage of low income families.

If the High school diploma requirement were not present, then truely the vast majority of the poor would fight our wars.

 

But the numbers do not say that the family income of recruits are higher then family income of college students. There's a lot of difference there.

 

So if I understand your point correctly before the military deploys any enlisteds they ask if they have a degree? If they do the enlisted is no longer deployable? Man the military sure has gotten soft since I was in. Warrant Officers are as much an officer as a Non-Commissioned Officer. The saying went, "A Warrant Officer is an enlisted with bars or and officer with stripes, but not a member of either."

With all of the financial assistance out there for college, if someone's only excuse is they can't afford it, then they just don't want to go. Financial ability has effectively been taken out of the equation it is all desire now. I went to college full time and worked full time. I paid for everything myself including my rent and food. Now there are many more ways to obtain financial assistance for your education.

 

My point is I voted for the war before I voted against it.

Actually, my point is this:
A 18 year old walking out of the auditorium with his HS diploma has many paths before him.

If the path chosen is a formal education and he does well, studies hard and graduates, there is a 97.3 percent chance he won't get stuck in Iraq.

That is my point and Kerry said that wasn't his point.
(We will both do a sychronized flip flop in the near future, please stand by)

 

You must be smart, you're confusing me. If 2.7% of the recruits have degrees, then 97.3% of the recruits don't have degrees. Either way they are a recruit and will go to Iraq.

Standing by for the filp....or is it a flop.....either way I'm standing by.

 

I just saw the tape of Kerry. I have not a clue why he would say something like this. I don't understand it.

But those without college do go to war. Wars are fought by the poor and minorites. Recruiters go to the areas where the poor and minorities hang out. I'm an example of this. We may not like hearing it but it's true.

But this Kerry thing I just don't understand. He was stationed with those individuals he refers too.

 

I don't know what he meant to say; but, I am predisposed to think the worst of him, with his history of negativity toward US soldiers. I don't think it's a stretch to say that he holds Americans with a formal liberal arts education in higher regard than Joe Six-Pack; and, I doubt very seriously that he would have made such a statement before the students of a more conservative university. Maybe it WAS a botched attempt at humor at the current President's expense; but, he's one of the people in this country that doesn't have a lot of leeway when it comes to statements about the Armed Forces.

 

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