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Plunging test scores are a slow-moving catastrophe

207 points · 414 comments · vinni2

  1. Animats · · focus · HN ↗
    Plunging physical fitness test scores are even worse.[1] "Fat people don't make good soldiers … they get themselves or others hurt or killed." The US military says 31% of US youth are too fat to serve. 77% are not qualified for one or more reasons.[2]

    Only 12% of American male youth who are qualified for the military are not in college.

    Think about that. About 2/3 of American male youth are not good enough for either college or the military. That's a high reject rate.

    [1] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.military.com&#x2F;daily-news&#x2F;2018&#x2F;10&#x2F;10&#x2F;one-third-youths-too-obese-military-service-study-finds.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.military.com&#x2F;daily-news&#x2F;2018&#x2F;10&#x2F;10&#x2F;one-third-you...

    [2] <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.military.com&#x2F;daily-news&#x2F;2022&#x2F;09&#x2F;28&#x2F;new-pentagon-study-shows-77-of-young-americans-are-ineligible-military-service.html" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.military.com&#x2F;daily-news&#x2F;2022&#x2F;09&#x2F;28&#x2F;new-pentagon-...

    1. _heimdall · · focus · HN ↗
      I really have no idea how we (the US) would stand up a meaningful sized army today if a larger war were to break out. Between obesity and the widespread use of psychological medications a huge swath of the population is ineligible to serve.
      1. neutronicus · · focus · HN ↗
        Ramp up Adderall production and drug em into soldiers
        1. _heimdall · · focus · HN ↗
          Sure, then we just need to ensure that any forward fighting force has reliable access to Adderall. Seems reasonable for modern warfare, after all it seems like the Nazis may have been delivering heroine to their front lines.
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