Army recruiters see a jump in enlistment

[AlphaCentauri]

Source: Contra Costa Times

Unemployment may be high, but there are still jobs available.

With an estimated 13.9 percent unemployment rate in Long Beach last month, and a statewide rate of 12.5 percent, many are setting their sights on the Army.

"There's been a 32 percent growth in recruitment (in Long Beach) this year from last year and companywide 28 percent," said Sgt. 1st Class Richard L. Woods, commander of the Long Beach Recruiting Station.

However, they can't be certain the numbers are up because of the unemployment rate.

California's Employment Development Department reports 33,100 people in Long Beach out of work. This does not include the elderly, disabled, part-time workers or those who have stopped looking for work.

Economists believe if those numbers were added they would push the unemployment rate to about 18 percent.

According to Woods, there are some who say they are joining the Army because the job market is so bad.

"I would like to think that it (the rise in enlistment numbers) is because of the climate out there with unemployment," Woods said.



Read more: http://www.contracostatimes.com/california/ci_13848325

[JonQ]

1. I wonder how much higher our official unemployment rates would be

without the military as a relief valve.

[fasttense]

5. Not until Ronnie Raygun did the US government count the military as employed.

It was Ronnie Raygun who decided to add in the military numbers into our employment statistics. Until he did that, most military jobs were considered temporary, the military member would have to integrate back into the US workforce eventually. But Raygun put an end to that.

Now every time someone is killed in one of our wars, there is a job opening. Thanks RepubliCONs.

[Kolesar]

2. One out of five combat veterans come back with brain injuries

In all fairness , injuries could be concussions with short-lived effects.

Many injured soldiers are being warehoused in the military hospitals. Many get scant treatment once their conditions stabilize.

This week's Bill Moyers Journal was heartbreaking. Families give up their lives and careers to take care of their injured children.

Republicans blocked funding for "care givers" for budget reasons.

[Demeter]

3. Oh, Goody. NeoCon Dreams Come True.

Fuck the people--fight the corporation wars!

[Soylent Brice]

4. as another DUer put it, it's an "economic draft"

[prolesunited]

6. AKA as the poverty draft

I would love to see a community service alternative to joining the military.

[Donnachaidh]

7. in order to eat, people become cannon fodder for the empire builders

We're racing back to the dark ages in this country, aren't we?

[optimator]

8. so sad

land of opportunity?