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"Child soldiers" is dramatic. I don't see a problem with a 16 year old joining the military, with the support of their parents, esp. if they don't have an inter

"Child soldiers" is dramatic. I don't see a problem with a 16 year old joining the military, with the support of their parents, esp. if they don't have an interest in college. They could learn some valuable skills, certainly more than you'd learn in public education.

koolba 3y ago
Damn straight. A structured environment that doubles as a boarding school is exactly what some children at that age need.
- Retric 3y ago
  There’s typically a fair bit of schooling a 16 year old goes through before college. Dropping out and joining the military may have benefits, but it’s hard not to see that as a failure by society.
- giraffe_lady 3y ago
  Could not create a better environment for hazing and sexual abuse if you tried.
- ClumsyPilot 3y ago
  > doubles as a boarding school is exactly what some children at that age need. Also environment for brainwashing
- Tostino 3y ago
  Military provides a bunch of benefits until it's actually used for its purpose. Then you send a bunch of underage kids to die.
earthboundkid 3y ago
I could see letting them join an academy early, but you can't send them to fight before 18 and you should give them a chance to back out when they actually turn 18.
- andyjohnson0 3y ago
  Recruits can leave up to the end of their first six months of service - so 16½. After that they are committed until they are 22.
  - earthboundkid 3y ago
    I don't see how you can get a minor to sign an enforceable contract. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
WaitWaitWha 3y ago
I believe several nations have similar to Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) like the USA has, which can start at middle school or around 4th 5th grade or 12 to 13 years olds. (edit: spelling)
- hattmall 3y ago
  Yeah we even have military schools that start at kindergarten too, but JROTC and military schools aren't really actually being in the military by a large margin and have no type of commitment. The overwhelming majority of kids involved in those programs don't join the military.
__MatrixMan__ 3y ago
Really? I see a problem with people joining the military regardless of their age, but especially if they're too young to be sufficiently critical of whatever they were told by the recruiter.
- sneak 3y ago
  There is an argument that even someone who is 18/19/20 is too young to be sufficiently critical. We don't let those people drink alcohol for a reason.

koolba 3y ago

Damn straight. A structured environment that doubles as a boarding school is exactly what some children at that age need.

Retric 3y ago
There’s typically a fair bit of schooling a 16 year old goes through before college. Dropping out and joining the military may have benefits, but it’s hard not to see that as a failure by society.
giraffe_lady 3y ago
Could not create a better environment for hazing and sexual abuse if you tried.
ClumsyPilot 3y ago
> doubles as a boarding school is exactly what some children at that age need. Also environment for brainwashing
Tostino 3y ago
Military provides a bunch of benefits until it's actually used for its purpose. Then you send a bunch of underage kids to die.

earthboundkid 3y ago

I could see letting them join an academy early, but you can't send them to fight before 18 and you should give them a chance to back out when they actually turn 18.

andyjohnson0 3y ago
Recruits can leave up to the end of their first six months of service - so 16½. After that they are committed until they are 22.
- earthboundkid 3y ago
  I don't see how you can get a minor to sign an enforceable contract. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

WaitWaitWha 3y ago

I believe several nations have similar to Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) like the USA has, which can start at middle school or around 4th 5th grade or 12 to 13 years olds. (edit: spelling)

hattmall 3y ago
Yeah we even have military schools that start at kindergarten too, but JROTC and military schools aren't really actually being in the military by a large margin and have no type of commitment. The overwhelming majority of kids involved in those programs don't join the military.

__MatrixMan__ 3y ago

Really? I see a problem with people joining the military regardless of their age, but especially if they're too young to be sufficiently critical of whatever they were told by the recruiter.

sneak 3y ago
There is an argument that even someone who is 18/19/20 is too young to be sufficiently critical. We don't let those people drink alcohol for a reason.