According to Business Insider, most Americans, who would typically be in the serving age, are not likely eligible for military service. The Army estimates that less than 27% would qualify according to standard enlistment criteria.

The U.S. Army’s major enlistment requirements include:

• Ages between 17 and 34 years old
• Must be U.S. citizen or legal foreign national
• Must have high school diploma or equivalent
• Minimum 33 score on Armed Forces Qualification Test
• No tattoos on fingers, neck or face
• No ear gauges
• No ADHD medication win the past 12 months
• No felony convictions
• No persistent illegal drug use
• No insulin-dependent diabetes
• Meet height & weight requirements

The major reason? Young people are overweight and others are subject to mental-related restrictions.

As quoted from Business Insider:

The biggest single reason for failing to meet the requirements is obesity. Maj, Gen. Allen Batschelet, commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, says obesity is becoming a national security issue.

“The obesity issue is the most troubling because the trend is going in the wrong direction,” he said. “We think by 2020 it could be as high as 50%, which mean only 2 in 10 would qualify to join the Army.” He paused. “It’s a sad testament to who we are as a society right now.”

Yikes! Time to hit the gym.