Lex has an article up that's a must read but this tidbit has me spinning with the words I TOLD YA SO!!!!
You can bet its partly cultural, partly regional and add a big dose of ideology into the mix. Patriotism just isn't fashionable on the coasts...at least the kind of patriotism that requires the sacrifices that the military demands.
Stanford’s is a telling episode: The chief obstacle to ROTC’s expansion today is not antimilitary sentiment but a Pentagon that prefers to allocate its resources to surer recruiting prospects, primarily in the South and the Midwest. Last year the Ivy League had 54 students commissioned through ROTC, or 1% of total commissions, and the Defense Department is reluctant to launch new programs where student interest appears low.Now Lex is primarily talking about Ivy League schools and ROTC...I contend that this probably extends beyond that to the enlisted ranks as well. 1% of total commissions from Ivy League schools?
You can bet its partly cultural, partly regional and add a big dose of ideology into the mix. Patriotism just isn't fashionable on the coasts...at least the kind of patriotism that requires the sacrifices that the military demands.
i have to disagree sol, you are equating the ivies with all of those on the east coast and thats not a fair assumption. the ivies are primarily higher socio-economic class individuals who are higher performing academically, and they are certainly not a generalization of those on the coasts in general.
ReplyDeletethe generalization is applicable. Vanderbilt is considered the ivy league of the south. it has a booming ROTC. Alabama U, LSU, Texas U, Florida U and alot of other universities attract students that are above the respective states socio-economic class. they all have booming ROTC's.
ReplyDeletesorry bud but the left coast in particular just isn't that patriotic. you guys suck in that regard;))
you must understand the distinction among those universities and the ivies, and mostly its money, Alabama, LSU, Texas, Florida are all public institutions, where tuition is FAR cheaper for instate residents (Vanderbilt being the only private institution). Also i am not sure how you define patriotism, just because people dont serve in the military doest mean they arent patriotic or wouldnt support their country in need, its far more complicated than that.
ReplyDeletetheres a migration towards the south and midwest, from DOD website
"Myth: The military is not geographically representative of America.
Fact: Military recruits are closely proportionate to the general population.
The southern region of the US generates the most recruits, but also has the greatest density of youth population. The south produces 41% of all recruits (compared to 36% of the 18-24 year old population). The northeast generates 14% of new recruits (18% of the 18-24 year old population). The west and north central regions produce 21 and 24% of new recruits (accounting for 24% and 23%, respectively, of the 18-24 year old population)."
http://www.defense.gov/news/Dec2005/d20051213mythfact.pdf
i am not saying the recruitment is equal per capita but i am not saying dont dismiss the many many people who do serve from the coasts.
Sol,
ReplyDeleteYou might want to have a read on the British equivalent; the UOTC. It's something I have personal experience of if you have any questions.
Oh I forgot to mention that nearly 50% of Sandhurst recruits come through the UOTCs first.
ReplyDelete