Over 1.7 Million Young New Yorkers Unable To Join Military

Education Secretary Duncan, former NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark, retired admirals and generals say early learning key to reverse security threat

WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 5, 2009) -- According to a new report, 75 percent of young people ages 17 to 24 are unable to enlist in the military because they fail to graduate high school, have a criminal record, or are physically unfit. In New York, that would mean over 1.7 million young adults cannot join. However, that may actually be a low estimate because, compared to the national average, New York has more young people who are overweight, (33% vs. 32%), and more young people without on-time high school degrees, (31% vs. 26%).

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, former NATO Supreme Commander General Wesley Clark, and some of America’s top retired admirals, generals and other military leaders called today for immediate action to address this threat to America’s national security.

General Clark, Major General James A. Kelley (USA, Ret.), Major General James W. Comstock (USA, Ret.), Brigadier General John W. Douglass (USAF, Ret.), Rear Admiral James Barnett (USN, Ret.), former Under Secretary of the Army Joe Reeder and Secretary Duncan called for greater investment in high-quality early learning programs to ensure more young people graduate from high school, obey the law and have the option of military service if they choose that path.

Read the full release here: http://www.missionreadiness.org/press110509.html

And download the report here: http://www.missionreadiness.org/