Military recruitment seen rising amid job woes

[sabra]

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON — The number of young people considering a military career has significantly increased for the first time in about five years, buoyed by more positive news out of Iraq.

Military officials predict interest will rise even further because of the worsening economy.

"We'd like to think now we've bottomed out here and (recruiting) now will continue increasing," said Curtis Gilroy, a Pentagon personnel official. "A lot of that is because of the relatively good news out of Iraq."

The percentage of young people who said they would probably join the military increased from 9% to 11% in the first half of this year, according to a Pentagon-sponsored survey. The poll questioned 3,304 young people ages 16 to 21.

"We have … a lot more people coming to us now," said Sgt. 1st Class Chad Benes, a recruiter at the Mount Clemens, Mich., recruiting station.

Staff Sgt. Harry Weaver, another recruiter at the station, cited the worsening economy in the area, which is 25 miles from Detroit, home of the foundering auto industry.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/military/2008-11-18-recrui...

[bdamomma]

1. this is what happens when kids are not able to go to college.

sad.

[LynnTheDem]

2. Yeppers, that's how it goes.

Starve We the People until the only guarantee of food and work is enlist.

Then be sent on invasions to steal other nations' resources, to kill & be killed, all for making the uber-rich even richer.


Old story. Ending's always the same. Not pretty.

[MisterP]

6. on the plus side, more soldiers'll by "Battleship Potemkin" DVDs... Men and KBR Maggots indeed n/t!

[peace13]

3. Fits exactly with * and shooter's plan.

They knew that if you eat up all of the civilian jobs that recruitment would increase, even in war time. These kids can't live off of mom when mom looses her job. The circle is completed. The first hit on the home front will be the first to donate their children for the cause of unending war. Go figure.

[mallard]

4. bingo

This orchestrated credit, markets and employment meltdown finally makes some 'sense'.

[Dover]

5. Looks like Afghanistan and Caspian Sea area is the new Middle East..

Hope not...but that seems to be the case if you can believe the Obama/Biden rhetoric on it. And more troops needed.

I think they tried to create incentive the first time (via 9/11) for an unpopular invasion/occupation. Now, perhaps they'll simply rely on poverty to recruit people for an otherwise unpopular war. Not gonna be the kind of glue needed to hold this country together for the duration of another unwinnable, inhumane and unsustainable occupation. At least WWII which followed the last Depression had the support of the country. I doubt that can be repeated even with a charismatic leader. Also looks like our allies are backing off of this one.