The Youth Soldier

This is to be a quick reflection on a core principle of the military fighting force of America (may be applicable to the world). The prime soldier is better the younger he is (the he part itself is also essential). With youth comes a general air of not being fully grown up or aware of all possible consequences to actions, or more mature ways of thinking. This youth soldier can be molded into thinking that there are clear reasons why he should fight and (if necessary) give his life for the good of the country. These things focus mostly on family. A youth soldier will most likely have a "girl back home", possibly married and impregnated her before leaving. I believe this action of marrying and mating that youth soldiers partake in is encouraged by the military in general. By creating a family at home, the youth soldier has something to fight for. They will be persuaded into thinking that the reason they fight is to protect family back home. Some may say that this is a double edged sword. The youth soldier will want to return back home as soon as possible, and will grow weary with fighting a war. They may want to go "awal" as it were. But I believe this to be a moot point. The youth soldier might think that they want to go home above all else, but they will also want to stay alive above all else as well. As their generals and platoon leaders throw them into a firefight, a youth soldier's drive to stay alive (because of want to return back home to family) will aid in his combat skills as a whole, putting him on par to the level of fighting vigor his fellow youth soldiers (who want to fight to protect family) have. The younger they are, the easier it is to make them believe they have something to fight for.