[lbo-talk] the underprivileged soldier?

[Matt]

On Mon, Nov 28, 2005 at 07:14:10PM -0500, Doug Henwood wrote:
> [I'm not sure if I trust anything coming out of Heritage, but this 
> does comport with some other research I've seen.]
> 
> <http://news.yahoo.com/s/usatoday/20051128/cm_usatoday/debunkingthemythoftheunderprivilegedsoldier;_ylt=AlWbZRYvkzY8hd7qSZNWg5us0NUE;_ylu=X3oDMTA3YWFzYnA2BHNlYwM3NDI->
> 
> Debunking the myth of the underprivileged soldier
> By Tim Kane and James Jay Carafano
> Mon Nov 28, 7:36 AM ET

[...]


> According to a comprehensive study of all enlistees for the years 
> 1998-99 and 2003 that The Heritage Foundation just released, the 
> typical recruit in the all-volunteer force is wealthier, more 
> educated and more rural than the average 18- to 24-year-old citizen 
> is. Indeed, for every two recruits coming from the poorest 
> neighborhoods, there are three recruits coming from the richest 
> neighborhoods.

[snip]

I think I read the original stats back when this study started
circulating as a reference in other punditry.  IIRC their study found
that 85% of recruits come from households with incomes ranging from
$30,000 to $200,000.   IOW, >= $30,000 is "wealthy".

Such a range is silly, as people whose household earns $30,000 have
as little in common with the $200,000 household as they do the Queen
of England.  Not even remotely comparable financial issues.

Matt

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