by KYW’s Kim Glovas

A group of 145 retired generals of the US armed forces is calling for renewed funding of pre-school programs. The military brass says pre-school education increases the chances of students graduating from high school and succeeding in life.

It’s called the ‘Mission: Readiness’ program. A report released by the group shows 75 percent of young adults nationwide are ill-equipped to join the military, even if they want to.  The rate is 80-90 percent in Philadelphia.

Lieutenant general Dennis Benchoff says there are three areas where young adults are wanting: mental, medical and moral. He starts with mental.

“Even though they may graduate from high school, they cannot pass the services military aptitude tests, which means they don’t have basic enough education to enable them to learn how to use the high-tech equipment that exists in the armed forces.”

Medically, Benchoff says, too many are obese or unfit, and morally, too many have criminal records. The program is urging Philadelphia and state officials to continue funding for pre-school education, citing studies which show early learning greatly increases future performance levels, including high school graduation.

For more information go to MissionReadiness.org.