How is it that students who are THE WORST in class have the gall to ask for recommendations for college/military/work?

How is it that students who are THE WORST in class have the gall to ask for recommendations for college/military/work?

I had a senior ask me (with literally zero days notice) to fill out an online form for military recruitment recently. I didn’t fill it out because I didn’t have time to get it done by the 3pm same-day deadline, but also because I have NOTHING kind to say about this kid.

And they KNOW this!I have taught this student for four years straight and have dealt with their shitty behavior and attitude every damn year: apathy in class, inflated ego, general laziness, minimal work completion, cheating via AI, spotty attendance, playing on phone in class, pulling destructive “pranks” with friends, insubordination, lack of respect for ANY adults in the building… I could go on and on.

And that’s not even mentioning the kid’s steamroller parent who believes this kid is a perfect little genius and who never takes accountability–nor requires the kid to take accountability–for anything. There’s always someone else to blame, right?

At this point, you DON’T want me filling out that fucking form because I will be brutally honest. How the hell is kid who hasn’t followed a single rule in their 18 years of life going to survive the US military? 🤦🏻‍♀️
Edit to wrap this up: Please see that the tag here is “rant.”

Also, I’ve enjoyed reading the variety of responses in the comments–especially those who respectfully see things differently from me–but the number or people suggesting that I’m ruining this kid’s life or that I’m a horrible human who hates children and should quit my job are the exact reason the teaching profession is in steady decline.

What else do you want from us? Sincerely, WHAT ELSE can teachers do to remove every roadblock for students? At what point are we allowed to say we’ve done enough? Tried hard enough? Spent enough of our personal time and emotional energy?

Are we not allowed vent our feelings, express our honest experiences, and commiserate with our peers online? Does even my “anonymous” online voice on Reddit need to be tailored like parent or admin messages?

Please assume positive intent from the teachers who post here, even if you don’t agree with their takes or stances. We’re all drowning in a system that is being dismantled around us in dilapidated buildings and with no parental support while being blamed for every failure of every student in every school. We don’t need to tear each other down further.
I’m out. ✌️