Newsflash: were it not for parents, the state would be able to send more American youths through its human meat grinder in Iraq.

The biggest obstacle for U.S. military recruiters is not finding young Americans willing to enlist in wartime, it's dealing with their parents, according to the Pentagon.

...Like other Pentagon officials, Sherlock said parents and adults that recruiters call "influencers" are a tough hurdle to clear, but their influence can be checked.

"Influencers certainly have a big impact, but I also think there are other things that we really haven't tried or explored completely before that have shown great success," he said.

Parental opposition is felt in other parts of the military too. That's clear from the Army's decision to target part of its new "Army Strong" advertising campaign at parents, telling them: "You made them strong. We'll make them Army Strong."

Once again, real life imitates a news spoof.