http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/...SRC=dod.nl

Quote:Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hoard must reach potential recruits early to set them straight.

They think anybody can enlist. Many see the military as a last resort in a tough job market -- but always an option, the youth assume. Truth is, the class of 2014 now leaving high school will face more difficulty qualifying for the armed services than ever in the 40-year history of the all-volunteer force.

So Hoard tells them long before graduation day: Don't ever get caught with a joint. Work out, shed weight. And be extra careful about getting tattooed.

"We're turning down twice as many as before," said Hoard, who supervises the Army recruiting station in Grandview.

His office several years back needed to sign up 16 to 20 soldiers per month to meet recruiting targets. Now 10 or 12 will do.

Wow.

And some years back, didn't people on this board suggest that we'd see conscription reinstated? Huh, wonder who those people were.

(05-21-2014 09:33 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/...SRC=dod.nl

Quote:Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hoard must reach potential recruits early to set them straight.

They think anybody can enlist. Many see the military as a last resort in a tough job market -- but always an option, the youth assume. Truth is, the class of 2014 now leaving high school will face more difficulty qualifying for the armed services than ever in the 40-year history of the all-volunteer force.

So Hoard tells them long before graduation day: Don't ever get caught with a joint. Work out, shed weight. And be extra careful about getting tattooed.

"We're turning down twice as many as before," said Hoard, who supervises the Army recruiting station in Grandview.

His office several years back needed to sign up 16 to 20 soldiers per month to meet recruiting targets. Now 10 or 12 will do.

Wow.

And some years back, didn't people on this board suggest that we'd see conscription reinstated? Huh, wonder who those people were.

To be fair there was another person of another persuasion, who suggested that the military just let bad people in.

(05-21-2014 12:34 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 09:33 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/...SRC=dod.nl

Quote:Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hoard must reach potential recruits early to set them straight.

They think anybody can enlist. Many see the military as a last resort in a tough job market -- but always an option, the youth assume. Truth is, the class of 2014 now leaving high school will face more difficulty qualifying for the armed services than ever in the 40-year history of the all-volunteer force.

So Hoard tells them long before graduation day: Don't ever get caught with a joint. Work out, shed weight. And be extra careful about getting tattooed.

"We're turning down twice as many as before," said Hoard, who supervises the Army recruiting station in Grandview.

His office several years back needed to sign up 16 to 20 soldiers per month to meet recruiting targets. Now 10 or 12 will do.

Wow.

And some years back, didn't people on this board suggest that we'd see conscription reinstated? Huh, wonder who those people were.

To be fair there was another person of another persuasion, who suggested that the military just let bad people in.

Instead of jail time, jusdges used to give criminals the option of enlisting in the military.

(05-21-2014 09:33 AM)DrTorch Wrote:  http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/...SRC=dod.nl

Quote:Army Sgt. 1st Class Terrence Hoard must reach potential recruits early to set them straight.

They think anybody can enlist. Many see the military as a last resort in a tough job market -- but always an option, the youth assume. Truth is, the class of 2014 now leaving high school will face more difficulty qualifying for the armed services than ever in the 40-year history of the all-volunteer force.

So Hoard tells them long before graduation day: Don't ever get caught with a joint. Work out, shed weight. And be extra careful about getting tattooed.

"We're turning down twice as many as before," said Hoard, who supervises the Army recruiting station in Grandview.

His office several years back needed to sign up 16 to 20 soldiers per month to meet recruiting targets. Now 10 or 12 will do.

Wow.

And some years back, didn't people on this board suggest that we'd see conscription reinstated? Huh, wonder who those people were.

If we end up in another war, that will change (again). As usual.

Hey, now those same people that were running to Canada only have to get a tattoo if we get Conscription again.


IF, the army is having a hard time getting recruits how much more problems will the Air Force have with their harder to get in qualifications.

I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.

I told him, "That was a mistake".

I was right.

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

(05-21-2014 01:33 PM)olliebaba Wrote:  Hey, now those same people that were running to Canada only have to get a tattoo if we get Conscription again.


IF, the army is having a hard time getting recruits how much more problems will the Air Force have with their harder to get in qualifications.

I was thinking about joining the AF. Comfortably had the quals, but I was told that promotions were slow (of course it was by another recruiter).

The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

Frankly, I think CG is cool.

I liked my visit to Coast Guard Academy. And helped the cause by purchasing some nice apparel for the family. Not a lot of people w/ CG and CGA garb.

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

I think that it's BEFORE boot camp. While the Army calls recruits soldiers the Marines consider the word "Marine" and symbols of the USMC to be earned. You're not supposed to even call yourself a Marine until you finish basic.

All services can be like this. A CC at Cape May would tear a hole into someone that came off the bus with even a USCG t-shirt.

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

Not entirely sure, but I thnk that may be a factor.

(05-21-2014 03:21 PM)DrTorch Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:14 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  The Coast Guard always has a hard time with recruits. We're kind of the last service on people's minds.

Frankly, I think CG is cool.

I liked my visit to Coast Guard Academy. And helped the cause by purchasing some nice apparel for the family. Not a lot of people w/ CG and CGA garb.

Obviously, I think it's cool too.

But it's a lot less exciting to hear about our job than the USAF, Navy, Army, or USMC. I've personally been to a lot of interesting places but, while the Navy can beat their chests about being able to be stationed in Italy, it's a real possibility that you'd be stationed in Sault Ste Marie in the CG.

The CG is one of those things that you have to step back and really think about its duties in order to get excited about it.

(05-21-2014 03:46 PM)nomad2u2001 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

I think that it's BEFORE boot camp. While the Army calls recruits soldiers the Marines consider the word "Marine" and symbols of the USMC to be earned. You're not supposed to even call yourself a Marine until you finish basic.

All services can be like this. A CC at Cape May would tear a hole into someone that came off the bus with even a USCG t-shirt.

Ah, so it's an ego thing. I kind of like that way of thinking.

(05-21-2014 03:46 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

Not entirely sure, but I thnk that may be a factor.

It's because you're not a Marine until they tell you you're a Marine.

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

If thats the case then 70% of Marines are SOL (not to mention wearing a uniform that says US Marines)

Marines are the biggest spazes when it comes to things like this, whether said person has earned the right to do a certain act. A debate was started among the more senior marines in my platoon once when I showed up to monday morning formation as pfc without any deployments on whether I rated to have a low fade. So if a haircut is a topic of debate youll sure bet that having a Marine Corps tattoo before becoming a Marine is going to be a big thing.

(05-21-2014 04:33 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:46 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

Not entirely sure, but I thnk that may be a factor.

It's because you're not a Marine until they tell you you're a Marine.

Actually the rule that was explained to me is no tattoos that are visible when you are in uniform and no new tattoos once you sign up.

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 01:37 PM)Smaug Wrote:  I knew a high school kid who got the Marine Corps logo tattooed on his arm right before reporting for basic.
I told him, "That was a mistake".
I was right.

Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

You have to EARN the privilege of wearing that tattoo.

(05-21-2014 06:25 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 04:33 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:46 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 02:24 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  Yes, Marines are particularly sticky on that.

Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

Not entirely sure, but I thnk that may be a factor.

It's because you're not a Marine until they tell you you're a Marine.

Actually the rule that was explained to me is no tattoos that are visible when you are in uniform and no new tattoos once you sign up.

Nope, if that was the case Jacksonville, NC wouldnt be filled with tattoo parlors. Plenty guys showing off full sleeves while in uniform.

(05-22-2014 08:07 AM)ODUChm Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 06:25 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 04:33 PM)Smaug Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:46 PM)Owl 69/70/75 Wrote:  

(05-21-2014 03:28 PM)VA49er Wrote:  Just curious as to why? Is it because the tattoo can ID the marine if he ever gets captured behind enemy lines?

Not entirely sure, but I thnk that may be a factor.

It's because you're not a Marine until they tell you you're a Marine.

Actually the rule that was explained to me is no tattoos that are visible when you are in uniform and no new tattoos once you sign up.

Nope, if that was the case Jacksonville, NC wouldnt be filled with tattoo parlors. Plenty guys showing off full sleeves while in uniform.

It may just be for officers. Now that I recall, the Marines who told me this were all officers.