Nearly three-fourths of young Kentuckians could not answer the call of duty if required – and high levels of obesity are mostly to blame. That’s according to a new report from Mission: Readiness, a non-partisan national security organization.
The survey, entitled Retreat is Not an Option, says 73 percent of Kentuckians between 17 and 24 are currently ineligible for military service, primarily because they fail to meet weight, education, and criminal background requirements.
"It's the highest since anybody has made an effort to quantify it," retired Maj. Gen. Robert Silverthorn says.
And while fewer soldiers may be needed right now due to drawn-downs in Iraq and Afghanistan, Silverthorn cautions that "the real problem is over the horizon. We're looking at the kids right now and where they're going to be in a few years and there's just no real good news there."
That’s despite efforts like the Child Nutrition Act, which aim to put healthier foods in front of students. But progress can sometimes come slow, and officials say the culture is gradually starting to change in the cafeteria.
"I think the biggest thing is just telling them... it can't hurt to just try these things and see how it affects your body and see how much more energy you have," soon-to-be high school freshmen Genna Ringler with the Alliance for a Healthier Generation adds.
Military leaders are pressing Congress to reauthorize the Child Nutrition Act, which is set to expire this year.
The report ranks Kentucky as the 10th worst in the nation when it comes to young qualified military candidates.