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ELB: We'll just have to "agree to disagree."

ELB wrote: Screen out those with criminal histories and/or no high school diploma, for example.

Many young men with "youthful indiscretions," and/or no high school diploma have served our country with honor and distinction. I served alongside of, and led, many of them. While it's not the services' job to "turn their life around," often times it does. It gives them structure they may have been lacking, gives a sense of accomplishment, teamwork, loyalty, and mission to many who would otherwise be heading down the wrong road. I'm not saying it's a great idea not to demand the best qualifications from an all volunteer force, only that the minor criminal history and/or lack of a H.S. diploma is not always a benchmark to ensure they won't waste everyone's time. Also, there are many "higher educated" folks that couldn't find the chow line if you gave them a map! We spend a lot of time on this board encouraging people with those minor criminal histories to apply for their CHL, when eligible, and congratulate them when they get it. Are we saying to them, "You are responsible enough to be armed in Texas, but sorry, stay out of the military as you'll just be a waste of time for them?"