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Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

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Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#11

Post by civilitty »

The North experienced massive social change in the first half of the 19th century when industrial revolution really ramped up. Cities were still trying to figure out the transition from agrarian support to industrial center and the general quality of life in cities during that time was horrible from pollution and overcrowding. City dwellers didn't see much benefit for all their effort until the labor movement got its feet in the late 19th and early 20th century.

It's no surprise that there were lots of older boys in the Union army because the lack of prospects in the cities were obvious even then.

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#12

Post by koolba »

Eumenes wrote: post #10
andyjohnson0 wrote: post #5

> In April 1862 it adopted a policy of universal conscription, and in February 1864 it lowered the age of mandatory service from eighteen to seventeen. Additionally, some Confederate states enrolled boys as young as sixteen for service in state-controlled units. In the UK in 2023 it is still possible to join the military when you're 16 years old, and you can start your application when 5 months before that. No other…

"Child soldiers" is dramatic. I don't see a problem with a 16 year old joining the military, with the support of their parents, esp. if they don't have an interest in college. They could learn some valuable skills, certainly more than you'd learn in public education.

Damn straight. A structured environment that doubles as a boarding school is exactly what some children at that age need.

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#14

Post by alphanullmeric »

andyjohnson0 wrote: post #5

> In April 1862 it adopted a policy of universal conscription, and in February 1864 it lowered the age of mandatory service from eighteen to seventeen. Additionally, some Confederate states enrolled boys as young as sixteen for service in state-controlled units. In the UK in 2023 it is still possible to join the military when you're 16 years old, and you can start your application when 5 months before that. No other…

Pick an age of majority. It should be the same age for joining the military, voting, drinking, owning a gun, driving a car, consent, etc. You don’t get to call a 16 year old a child only when it’s convenient for you.

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#15

Post by ars »

andyjohnson0 wrote: post #5

> In April 1862 it adopted a policy of universal conscription, and in February 1864 it lowered the age of mandatory service from eighteen to seventeen. Additionally, some Confederate states enrolled boys as young as sixteen for service in state-controlled units. In the UK in 2023 it is still possible to join the military when you're 16 years old, and you can start your application when 5 months before that. No other…

> No other country in Europe recruits child soldiers

Are these 16 year old actually fighting? Or are they placed in support roles, i.e. it's basically a job, but under the structure of the military?

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#17

Post by earthboundkid »

Eumenes wrote: post #10
andyjohnson0 wrote: post #5

> In April 1862 it adopted a policy of universal conscription, and in February 1864 it lowered the age of mandatory service from eighteen to seventeen. Additionally, some Confederate states enrolled boys as young as sixteen for service in state-controlled units. In the UK in 2023 it is still possible to join the military when you're 16 years old, and you can start your application when 5 months before that. No other…

"Child soldiers" is dramatic. I don't see a problem with a 16 year old joining the military, with the support of their parents, esp. if they don't have an interest in college. They could learn some valuable skills, certainly more than you'd learn in public education.

I could see letting them join an academy early, but you can't send them to fight before 18 and you should give them a chance to back out when they actually turn 18.

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#18

Post by Retric »

koolba wrote: post #12
Eumenes wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Child soldiers" is dramatic. I don't see a problem with a 16 year old joining the military, with the support of their parents, esp. if they don't have an interest in college. They could learn some valuable skills, certainly more than you'd learn in public education.

Damn straight. A structured environment that doubles as a boarding school is exactly what some children at that age need.

There’s typically a fair bit of schooling a 16 year old goes through before college. Dropping out and joining the military may have benefits, but it’s hard not to see that as a failure by society.

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#19

Post by earthboundkid »

Vvector wrote: post #16
vondur wrote: post #3

My uncle lied about his age to join the Army during the Korean War. He was 16 I believe.

My dad lied and joined the Navy at 16, during the Korean War. He said it was safer than waiting to be drafted

One of my grandfathers joined the Navy before Pearl Harbor (Wikipedia says the draft started in 1940, so in '40 or '41) to avoid getting drafted into the Army. Not sure why he thought boats were safer, but I guess he lived, so he was right. :-)

Re: Underage Enlistment in the United States and the Confederacy

#20

Post by andyjohnson0 »

alphanullmeric wrote: post #14
andyjohnson0 wrote: post #5

> In April 1862 it adopted a policy of universal conscription, and in February 1864 it lowered the age of mandatory service from eighteen to seventeen. Additionally, some Confederate states enrolled boys as young as sixteen for service in state-controlled units. In the UK in 2023 it is still possible to join the military when you're 16 years old, and you can start your application when 5 months before that. No other…

Pick an age of majority. It should be the same age for joining the military, voting, drinking, owning a gun, driving a car, consent, etc. You don’t get to call a 16 year old a child only when it’s convenient for you.

The age of majority in the UK is 18. People who are younger than 18 are minors/children, not adults.
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