<p>I think the military is a place where some of these folks are forced to live up to their potential. No one is patting them on the head and telling them they could do better if they’d just try. They are getting a kick in the butt, AND the military reaps the benefits when these smart kids who needed a kick in the butt suddenly find out what they CAN do if they get up and WORK.</p>
<p>The implication wasn’t that the military is full of slackers. Plenty of folks wash out. But the military MAY have a goodly number of FORMER slackers. Military service has been mutually beneficial. Good for the military, good for the former slacker.</p>
<p>Says the mom who is not so subtly encouraging her son to look at the Navy after graduation.</p>
<p>Packmom, Twenty plus years ago my husband went through college on an NROTC scholarship. He started with a contract with Navy but switched to the Marine Corps half way through his Sophomore year because the Navy cadets were not driven enough. Believe me, I know the type. </p>
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<p>Well, that would be disheartening but no one is saying that. </p>
<p>However, the military absolutely can be a good fit for people who do not fit into the civilian world, for a variety of reasons, including providing direction and/or discipline. OCS and Basic Training are there for a reason. I cannot tell you the number of civilians I’ve met who have shared with me that it was the tools they learned in the military that has made their post-military success possible. </p>
<p>Like the rest of the world, it takes nearly all kinds in the military. Someone does not have fit into the mold of the kind of Marine my husband is to be successful in the armed forces.</p>
<p>Referee for professional wrestling.
Zamboni driver.
Person in charge of answering Keith Olberman’s fan mail.
Men’s room attendant.
Overnight parking lot cashier at airport.
NCAA Compliance Manager at USC.
US Vice President.
Writing off-the-cuff, non-teleprompter comments for President Obama.
Guy in charge of getting chicks for Sen. Robert Byrd.
Ball-gag returns coordinator.</p>
<p>^ Hey, I think I’d have fun at some of those jobs! :D</p>
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<p>He could even be a Marine recruiter, since you apparently just have to post on the internet.</p>
<p>US VP…all right–that made me laugh!</p>
<p>Sometimes the military is just what the doctor ordered. One of our friends had a slacker son that the parents pushed into the Air Force. After one week of basic training, the kid had changed course on a dime. Being part of something important and bigger than himself and being expected to work hard and succeed really changed his whole life trajectory!</p>
<p>He’s out of the military with a usable job skill and a successful life. Thank you, USAF!</p>