Did you realize we are recruiting for an expanding force?  (Thank GOD.)

I came into the military in 1984 as one of the "Reagan Kids" who took over for the dregs of the earth that were then serving (McNamera's 100,000 anyone???).

Personnally, I think we have a better force today than even the kids who joined with me in the early 80's.

During the 90's we were fortunate that we did not have to man a large force (or so we falsely thought) and therefore recruiting standards could be tighted up.  We have since learned that a 8 Division Army is not large enough even in the best of times and need to go larger and thus have a larger recruiting mission.

On top of that, why do you CARE since you obviously do not seek to serve in the first place?

You really have no idea about the military, do you?

Let' go through your arguments one by one, shall we?

"lower health standards"

Where do you get that? Every recruit MUST pass the entrance physical. If you don't pass, you’re not accepted. That physical, and the standards for acceptance in the military, hasn't changed in decades.

Also, every member of the military is tested at least one a year and each member must pass minimum physical fitness requirements. Those requirements are lowered according to age, but I bet most civilians would have a lot of trouble meeting those requirements. In the Army, this was called APFT, I suggest you look it up.

"lower educational standards"

The standards haven't lowered one bit. Try again. Each potential recruit must pass the basic skills test and that test is not easy. Ever take it? Try it sometime.

The DoD may not like the fact that more college graduates are not joining, but that's immaterial as the military was accepting people without a high school diploma when I joined back in the 80's and, like today, they would help recruits acquire a GED by providing classes at no cost. The military also offers continuing education classes, in which you can receive a college degree, one again at no cost. The military is a GREAT place to further your education and acquire new, marketable, skills

"double the number of level 4 recruits"

So, you believe that we should refuse to allow people in the military simply because they got a speeding ticket or committed another offence like a DUI? Why should we refuse service for people simply for making a mistake? None of the recruits are repeat offenders. You know that, right? What's wrong with giving people a chance to prove that they have reformed themselves and let them serve? Do you have a problem with allowing American citizens with making a better life for themselves in the Military? You sure seem to have a problem with that.

"lower moral standards"

On edit: Oopps, I read morale insted of moral. My Bad. Let me try again.

The moral standards of military members are VERY high. The military follows the Uniform Code of Military Justice and the UCMJ comes down hard on anyone that violates the moral standards it enforces. I would stack the moral standards of any member the military against most common citizens. Instead of facing a lower standard of morals once finds in the civilian world, an enlistee faces a ridged moral code which is strictly enforced. You should look it up sometime.

raising enlistment bonuses and increased variety of schemes"

And your point is, what? We have an all-volunteer military and people get paid to serve, just like they get paid to work in the civilian world. Haven't you ever heard of a hiring bonus in the civilian market? I'm sure have. How about benefits, ever hear of them? I bet you get benefits where you work, don't you? Why should the military be any different?

"5x the recruiting budget"

Advertising is not cheap, just as any one who pays for a commercial to promote their product. This is an indication of how expensive advertising has become and is not an indication of any "lower standards" by the members of the military. Do you think that running a commercial is as cheap now than it was ten years ago?

All you’re proving here is that you have very little understanding of what the military is all about and what is required of the members that serve. It seems to me that you dislike the military and nothing anyone can say will change that. But, hay; feel free to revel in your delusions about the military and the people who serve. After all, we serve so that you can do that in peace.

I missed one:

“raise the maximum age”

So what? People live a lot long now than in the past and they live a healthier life for longer periods of time. I myself joined at the age of 24 and I ran circles around the younger recruits. Age doesn't reflect capabilities, you know. The fact that I was awarded an award for Outstanding Graduate of Basic Training, despite the fact that I was OLDER than one of my drill sergents and ALL of my fellow recruits in my company, proves that age really doesn’t matter much. The military relies on a trooper’s capabilities, not their age. Why shouldn’t the military accept older, yet physically fit, citizens simply because they reached a certain age? Do we have a maximum age requirement for any other government function? Limiting capable people simply because of their age is foolish and reflects poorly on this government.

Just pointing out that the platitudes weren't advancing the discussion. Actually sidetracking it. And that that attitude can be seen from different points of view.

Insulting a religion seems  fair game here. Maybe it is just an attempt to raise the bar to your comfort level.

Glad you figured out WA

To have an average, there will be 50% above and 50% below that standard.

What we've been talking about is that group near the bottom - cognitively, have felony convictions, or health. Those standards have been lowered, or larger percentages in that range have become acceptable.

 "Actually, you are "citing" a left-wing agenda website"

Nawwwww Rog, Mrs. Winterbourne surely wouldn't be citing a leftist website rife with platitudes, talking points and strawman arguments devoid of fact, I'm sure Giles would cite a more reputable site like say,...... say for instance........DKOS or Huffpo, or maybe N.Y.T. Jazeera.

Let's just use Giles's wisdom here:

" O.K., our military stooopid, their military smart."

Why do our boy's continue to enlist in record numbers, in the most educated and technologically advanced military in the history of the world and continue to kick everybody's a$$es despite facing an enemy in the Middle East and one in Congress if their their so stooopid?

"You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy. We must be cautious. "

                   - Ben Kenobi on  Liberals, and the MSM.

                               " The Cake is a lie."   

" That minimum requirement has not changed, at least not since I enlisted."

Test was re-normed in '04. So while the 'score' or percentile levels wouldn't change, the ease or difficulty to attain a score would.