Military Sees Drop in Black Recruits

[wakeme2008]

Source: AP

June 24, 2007
Military Sees Drop in Black Recruits
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Filed at 10:01 a.m. ET

WASHINGTON (AP) -- The number of blacks joining the military has plunged by more than one-third since the Afghanistan and Iraq wars began, as other job prospects soar and relatives of potential recruits increasingly discourage them from signing up.

According to data obtained by The Associated Press, the decline covers all four military services for active duty recruits, and the drop is even more dramatic when National Guard and Reserve recruiting is included.

The findings reflect the growing unpopularity of the wars, particularly among family members and other adults who exert influence over high school and college students considering the military as a place to serve their country, further their education or build a career.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Military-Recruits-Blacks.html