Today I was informed that my daughter, who is a senior in high school, is to take the ASVAB, military vocational assessment test, this Thursday. Wondering why a test taken en route to entering the military was being given to high school children I called the school. I learned that the test was given to all seniors and that it was possible to opt out, provided I filled out and signed a form. I asked how a voluntary test to join the military could be made mandatory and was told that it wasn't, I could opt out. I explained that having to fill out a form OR my daughter would be taking the test hardly registered as something non-mandatory.

I drove to the school, filled out their form. My daughter won't be taking the test.

Further, I learned that my daughters would have been entered into a national database without my opting out.

As a veteran who has taken the test (and rated pretty high, I might add) I shudder to think that anyone in gOvernment could be looking at high schoolers and salivating over a child's perceived vocational aptitude could be used to the benefit of the country (military or otherwise).

At this point in time, despite a family history of service to this country,I wouldn't recommend military service in the US to anyone, for any reason. These **ckers need to be taken down a peg or two.