The majority of young adults in Pennsylvania do not qualify for military service, according to a report by the Council for a Strong America, underscoring the need to direct more funding toward workforce development initiatives.
The report, Workforce Readiness: The National Security Threat from Within, found that 71 percent of Pennsylvanians between the ages of 17 and 24 do not qualify for military service because of obesity, a criminal record, substance abuse, a disqualifying health condition, or inadequate education.
Of the remaining 29 percent, 13 percent would qualify, be available, and achieve a satisfactory score on the Armed Forces Qualification Test and 17 percent would be qualified and available for active duty.
“These numbers make it clear that we have more work to do in ensuring that young Pennsylvanians are ready for college or careers, including military service if they so choose. Nothing less than our economy and future national security depend on it,” the report said.
This mirrors concerns in the private sector over a lack of qualified job applicants and is Pennsylvania businesses’ top concern, according to the Pennsylvania Chamber of Business and Industry’s 29th Annual Pennsylvania economic survey.
“This is a sobering report and should be a wakeup call to the Legislature,” state Rep. Thomas Murt (R-Montgomery/Philadelphia) said at a press conference highlighting the report’s findings. “We not only need to increase funding for early childhood development, but we must create tools to prepare our middle and high school students for future careers in the military and in the private sector. The current situation is clearly a risk to our national security and our economy.”