Often the notion of “serving one’s country” is regarded as the highest honor a person can do. Whether this is true or not is not up for debate, but rather when should a person have the opportunity to make this choice.
The enlistment age should be raised to 21 years or older; teenagers are rash, impulsive, emotional, and unsure. None of these things are assets from a strategic point of view. Combat situations are incredibly stressful and dangerous, proving that children and teenagers are not equipped to handle or be placed in those affairs.
Sophomore Jake Applebaum commented, “I am interested in joining the Marines, and I feel that the [enlistment age of 18] is perfectly fine.” Applebaum also said, “The legal adult age should be the age where you are allowed to enlist.” This builds into the question of what the legal age of adulthood be, and when the military should begin advertising enlistment opportunities. Senior Jake Mehta said, “I think it should be raised to 21. I know 18 is [the legal adult age], but [teenagers] just got there and are still growing. The mind won’t fully develop until [age] 25.”
While spreading awareness about career opportunities is important, the military often begins targeting children at a very young age to start considering enlisting. Take the Young Marines website for example, which says, “The Young Marines is a national youth program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school graduation, focused on leadership, citizenship through community service, self-discipline, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle.” At the age of eight, children can start joining what is considered “training” for the military. This should not be the case. Knowing the military is a career option is important, but it should not be blasted in children’s faces, and the military should not be advertising to teenagers.
Emma Galgano, a freshman, said, “I think 18 is a good age for military enlistment. Though an individual may still be viewed as young or still just a kid, it gives them the freedom of choice on how to spend their early adulthood.” Although Galgano does not wish to join the military herself, she still views it as “an admirable and selfless decision” for those who do choose to enlist.
Despite the tempting prestige, it is still a huge decision to enlist, and a decision that should not be rushed. Joining the military is a very important commitment and is a choice that will dramatically alter a person’s life. Those who are interested in enlistment should take the time to learn about the various military branches, and meet with veterans to learn more about their experience.
