How would you go about starting an elite taskforce consisting of, but not limited to young teens?

Organizations like the Sea Cadets, maybe even the Boy Scouts... come to mind. You can take self defense classes. You can to to the Red Cross and get First Aid. You can join a gym... or hire a personal trainer.

Unless you want somebody to train you... for free. And why? The Scouts, Cadets, CAP, are already available if needed in an emergency. What is the need for what amounts to a para-military group?

But part of the requirement to be an "elite" group is that the participants be extraordinary... not just among their peers, but compared to the rest of the world. Most teens seem to have difficulty in picking clothes that fit. Most, it seems, haven't discovered that the bill on a baseball cap is to shade the eyes rather than the ears. Most are irresponsible. Extremely few have values requisite for such a responsibility.

While I'll admit there may be some, with potential, they haven't demonstrated that potential much.

A lot of the time they would have nothing to do. Imagine 500 combat-trained personnel with nothing to do but to try to prove which is "tougher" than the others. They wouldn't do that? Of course they would. They do it now... only they're not particularly trained... they're called street gangs.

Besides, nobody in Congress has the guts to put women in harms way... or to reinstate the draft to augment the number in the military with young adults... let alone to put teenagers in danger.

People gripe about "child soldiers" now, and point at Hitler's Youth movement. I don't think it's going to happen.

When you turn 18, or 17 if your parents approve, you can join the military. I'd suggest the Coast Guard... and become a Rescue Swimmer. The only thing you'll lack is the combat skills. Or maybe the Air Force PJs.

How would one start such a program? You'll need funding. You're not going to get it without a written plan. So develop a plan. Include a purpose. Explain why such an organization is needed... especially why the current organizations (police and fire departments, Red Cross, Scouts, etc.) are inadequate to do the job without the help of your proposed organization. Include the requirements for being selected to this group. Explain the training... in detail... and how each area of training is necessary to your stated purpose, and is necessary in view of the inadequacies of existing organizations.

Inasmuch as these are minors, you'll absolutely need adult supervision. You don't have to like it... it's the law. Explain that selection process, and how the supervision is to be accomplished.

In addition, to keep the various levels of government on board, you'll need some oversight... especially at the beginning... at least for the first few years... until you've demonstrated the organization's worth and benefit to the community.

Then, with the funding, you'll need to line up your adult supervisors.

Then you'll have to start the application and screening process. I'd suggest you select kids with exceptionally high GPA... 3.9 or higher. I'd also suggest you not allow any kid who's ever been in trouble with the law... that would include those who've even experimented with drugs, or smoked, or drank any kind of alcohol (all that's against the law because they're under age)... and you'll have to test them... and pay for the testing.

You'll also have to eliminate those with any physical problems. You don't want to have to pay disability benefits to some kid with a preexisting medical problem. That's going to cost money too.

And, here's the tough part... you'll have to get their parents' permission.

And, what are you going to do if these kids get out of hand? You better take out about $10-million liability insurance on each one you let into the program. It's been my experience that the public really doesn't want combat-trained crazies roaming the countryside. You might have to call in the military to deal with them... and you'd have to pay for that too... and their funerals... and probably have to compensate their families... maybe better take out life and health insurance for them too.

How much is it going to cost? How much start-up money is it going to take. With the testing and insurance... I suspect it'll cost about $200,000 a person... initially... after they're processed, about $50,000 a year. Figure you get a kid at 13 and cover him until he reaches 20... that comes to 7 years at $50,000 a year... $350,000 plus the initial $200,000... $550,000 per person.

The first and by far the most important task is to cut out the young teens.

They're rubbish at everything, from interpersonal skills, to physical strength and fitness, to thinking realistically.

The whole concept is seriously unsound.

Drop it.

Keep on playing your CoD & MW2, also get proficient with your Fleshlight!!!!

WE already have programs in place for such contingencies!!!!

It's called THE MILITARY!

Sounds like a more hardcore version of the boy scouts.

Isn't that the purpose of boot camp and military school?