Why do Navy recruiters seek to enlist all the Lumpenproletariat?

Question

Karl Marx refers to the lumpenproletariat as the 'refuse of all classes,' including 'swindlers, confidence tricksters, brothel-keepers, rag-and-bone merchants, beggars, and other flotsam of society.

I see these enlisted types at the base clubs and bowling alleys, listening to rap or country music.

Answer 1

I just spoke with a recruiter friend today  She said that since the Navy's downsizing, they're being more selective. They're not accepting GEDs at present.

While she didn't come right out and say it, the inference I drew from our conversation, the branches that put the most troops on the ground are having a tougher time getting the people they need and are therefore forced to be less restrictive.

The guys you see at base clubs and bowling alleys, if they're acting improperly, are either very young and immature, or they're very drunk But, if you just don't want them in your club, throw them out. If you don't like the music they select in your club, don't make it a selection. If it's not your club, you're free to leave. But, at least so far, this is still a free country.

I heard one of those, on liberty in Japan. Somebody was plying him with drinks -- and questions. "What are those planes with the dish-like things on top?" The somewhat slurred response was, "Those are our saucer-launchers. They're in the air all the time. The saucers are sophisticated guided warheads. If anybody would try to attack the fleet, they'd launch their disks." He was referring to the E2A Hawkeye, an electronic surveillance aircraft, the RADAR dome of which looked like a gigantic saucer.

However, keep in mind that these low-lifes come from the society in which you live. They may not be up to your high standards, but they have something you may well not have, the will to serve their country.

While I don't particularly care for rap, I do find some country music enjoyable. On the other hand, while I like classical music and some jazz, some opera leaves me cold.  I spent 25 years in the Navy. I was, for about 20 of those years an officer and, by act of Congress, a gentleman.

Addendum:

After this low-life retired from serving his country, he went back to college and got his Masters and his Doctorate. He was Computer Department Chair of a private college in Washington State that was one of only two institutions with interns at Microsoft. The other was University of Washington.

I even taught a little in high school. I was also Sunday School teacher for a while.

I believe you owe all those "low lifes" your thanks.

"People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf." (George Orwell)

“War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing that is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” (John Stewart Mill)

You're welcome.

Answer 2

Not sure if this is a legitimate question or if you are just trying to impress us with your reading habits....

Your attempt to stain our nations Naval recruits by calling them names that are obviously not  applicable is pathetic. None of those professions or people, by law, are permitted to enlist. A fact you obviously know  yet you persist in making the comparison. ?

Did some handsome seaman steal your girl? Did a Navy recruiter turn down your application? There must be some reason you made such a silly statement.

ALL Naval recruits must have a high school diploma or an equivalency. In addition , in order to continue serving you must continue your educational efforts. Even with a high school diploma you must also pass an ASVAB test. In addition a recruit can not have a criminal record. There are financial restrictions. If a recruits debts are greater than his enlistment pay can possibly cover, he will not be allowed to enlist. Hardly seems like we are enlisting "societies flotsom" !!!! ?????

Are people who listen to "rap" and "country music" uneducated "low-lifes" to you? If you do not like associating with them do not go to "base clubs" and "bowling alleys". Take your "educated" "high class" @ss off post and hang with the other racist and prejudice people on the block.

Answer 3

1. The United States Navy is very selective in its enlistments.  As the Navy is getting smaller, it can be more selective on who it recruits.

2. How does listening to rap or country music make a person a "low life"?  I don't listen to either genre, but I do not pass judgment on those that do.  I have heard plenty of college student that listen to both styles of music; are they "low lifes"?

3. As Karl Marx spent much of his later life mooching off of others, especially Fredric Engels, he would not have had much room in labeling others as the "refuse of all classes".  Marx never worked a day in his life.  His entire communist ideology is a swindle.

4. "Low lifes" are plentiful in all walks of life, especially if you place yourself above them.  

Answer 4

every group has "low lifes" as you call them. in truth many of these people were just raised in different parts of the world and they're upbringing was different. Not saying that they dont act stupid sometimes but everybody needs to cut lose sometime. these guys are under strict conditions most of the time, if they get off of base and get some r and r its common to just let go. Not saying all these individuals are kind people, a good fraction of people are not pleasant people but they are not just military.  

Answer 5

The Standards to enlist are actually quite high, even GED's are frowned on nowadays... criminal records are as well, even misdemeanors require waivers, and are fairly rare... and felonies are seldom waivered (as in never)... why do you call the Troops that protect your Freedoms, that risk their lives for you ... "The lowest, most degraded stratum of the proletariat, especially criminals, vagrants, and the unemployed, who lack class consciousness.

The underclass of a human population"

Rather ignorant, and foolish.