Using kids to fight? Really?

I spent the last three days with the real war fighters at Fort Benning, Georgia. It was great to spend time with friends and make new friends. Some of the challenges and stories would shock the average person. I am grateful at I can stay connected and I maintain a clear sense of what is really going on in Afghanistan but the article below is a reflection of the challenges and frustrating.

What is it that I am failing to understand? I just can't see any circumstance that warrants this behavior...

Taliban using kids in Afghan fight: http://usat.me?40088670