VOA慢速英语:Fewer Than One in Three Young Americans Can Join Military

qualified – adj. having the necessary skill, experience, or knowledge to do a particular job or activity; having the qualifications to do something

eligible – adj. able to be chosen for something; able to do or receive something

enlistment period – n. a term of enlistment in the military (usually 3-4 years in the US military)

recruit – v. to find suitable people and get them to join a company, an organization or the armed forces

tattoo – n. a picture or word that is permanently drawn on a person's skin by using a needle and ink

behavior problems – n. issues with the way a person or animal acts or behaves

academic – adj. of or relating to schools and education

physical fitness – adj. physically healthy and strong

quality of life – n. how good or bad a person's life is

competitiveness – n. as good as or better than others of the same kind; able to compete successfully with others

standards – n. a level of quality or achievement that is considered acceptable or desirable

larger social forces – n. societal trends; society working together in order to achieve something or change behaviors or characteristics

healthy food – n. food that is good for your health

exercise – n. physical activity that is done in order to become stronger and healthier

draws us toward – idiom motivates or compels to take an action

consequences – n. something that happens as a result of a particular action or set of conditions

respond – v. to have a particular reaction to something

reflects the nature – v. to show or be a sign of the nature of something or of someone's attitude or feeling

social trends – n. a general direction of change in a society; a way of behaving or proceeding that is developing and becoming more common

Have you served in your country's military or thought about doing so? Is your country's military finding it difficult to recruit young people to serve? We'd like to hear what is happening where you are. Write your thoughts in the comments section.