Maybe patriotism isn’t what it used to be.
The country celebrated July 4th, Independence Day, last week, but the military is trying to figure out how to get more young people to sign up.
It's a lot different from World War II, when men lied about their age just to enlist. Leo Shane with The Military Times says times were different then.
“When those folks were signing up to serve, it was the time of the draft and it was a very different military,” Shane stated.
As for young people today, Shane says recruiters are finding they have different ideals and are tougher to inspire.
“We are seeing changes in priorities, and viewpoints,” Shane explained. “These changes concern the role of America and the military.”
And KTRH medical expert Dr. Joe Galati says those young people that do want to serve, physically, might not actually be able to.
“Thirty-one percent of current recruits are unable to serve due to obesity,” Galati stated.
In fact, an estimated 71% of Americans between 17 and 24 years old are ineligible for the armed forces because of inadequate education, physical fitness responsible behavior or other reasons.