training the soldier is only part of it. you need at least ~16 years of food, water, and teaching to get something useful. ideally 18, sometimes as low as 12

training the soldier is only part of it. you need at least ~16 years of food, water, and teaching to get something useful. ideally 18, sometimes as low as 12. and you can't refurbish ones that are missing parts or otherwise defective. the 20k to run them through Basic Training is a pittance.