Army and recruits grapple with Iraq

[dArKeR]

For Robert, joining the Army last May was a no-brainer. With the job market stagnant and his hopes for a college education hanging in the balance, the Army’s promise to trade tuition for a three-year stint seemed like a good bet, especially since he was able to defer his enlistment for six months. Now, as his December induction date approaches, Robert is having second thoughts, like many other recruits who deferred enlistment.

“BACK IN MAY I thought the war was over,” says the 19-year-old Bronx native, who asked that his last name be kept out of the story. “Now I’m thinking what I may have to do in Iraq, and I’m worried.”
Army recruitment figures have held up so far in spite of the steady casualties being suffered in Iraq. For the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, the Army made its target of recruiting 73,800 new soldiers; the Navy lured 41,000 new sailors and the Air Force added 32,000 new recruits. The Marines drew 38,914 “good men” and women.
But Army recruitment officers and military analysts alike caution that the true impact of the war on recruiting and re-enlistment is only beginning to be seen.

http://msnbc.com/news/995062.asp?0cv=CB20

Do you think this is a government plan/conspiracy to force our poor children into the military? It's the only way millions of cildren can get medical insurance or a college eduction.

What a disgrace our country is! blackmailing our own children's lives. What would the military recruitment be if the US had universal medical coverage, a job for children in the private sector, and/or the ability to go to college without being blackmailed by our Federal Government?

[Leados]

1. Can you say 'poverty draft?' Good. n/t

[TroubleMan]

2. This is why neocons are against:

Universal health care

Public education

Medicare, Medicaid, and other social services in general

Living wages

Full employment


There'd be no reason to join the military otherwise. I was in the Marines for 8 years, and the large majority (at least 85%) joined for the benefits.

I think Jessica Lynch joined because there were no jobs in her town.

The neocons need cannon fodder for their wars, and a draft is probably political suicide.

[dArKeR]

4. I had a French friend lecture me, from a book he's reading, that PNAC

Hoover, Heritage... all were funded/started in the 70s as a 'counter culture' reply to destroy the people/culture who stopped the Vietnam War. He named people but I forgot.

I honestly think that bashing people like Heritage, Limbutt, even CEO's like Welch are not the answer. They're all just hired puppets. We want to go after the Puppet Masters who are bankrolling and making the actual decisions.

[saigon68]

3. The mother fuckers at the country club tonight reflect on stock market

These people my age late 50's most of whom dodged the draft, now are secure in the upper middle class. The Chimpanzee is their guy. They for the most part hate darkies and abhore the Indian and Pakistani doctors who treat their children. They love their Mexican gardner, who is quiet, works for cash and is illegal so he behaves.

Their children will NEVER face a draft,, and never do anything but make money and vote REPUKE

I am disgusted tonight !!!!

[teryang]

7. Where did I go wrong?

I'm in my 50s and couldn't be less secure. I'm not in my late fifties yet.

My theory is that there was a break in the boomer generation. Part of it made it into various government and corporate positions before the downsizing and pension looting went rampant. They were grandfathered in and are comfortable as you say with their "achievements" and entitlements.

Those who came just a few years later, when the establishment began to fear the demographic bulge for what it would cost economically, socially and politically, didn't get positions commensurate with their abilities and experience, have no pensions, sinecures or benefits and basically got laid off, and privatized. Once there, their 401Ks and IRAs were looted. Now they are basically on their own with no infrastructure, self employed or working for very small outfits, watching their social security go down the drain while medical costs or insurance bleed them white. Their tax dollars float the rich and the war and their middle class and sliding ever downward children and grandchildren get stuck with the bill.

[saigon68]

9. I agree Teryang

You hit it on the head. The ones I speak of,--- fit right into your analysis. These people are worth between 2 qand ten million each. They have no cares in the world

For them Amerika is better than sliced bread!!!!

[DUreader]

5. Msnbc Lying about recruiting goals being met

the shit will never end

[Noordam]

6. 8 months from enlistment to Iraq

Unless things have changed in the Army since Vietnam, most ppl hit VN after being in the Army 8 months. 3 months Basic Training, 3 months AIT and then 2 months of vacation and slop between Basic and AIT.

So if Robert was to go in now, it would be 8 months before he could replace somebody in Iraq.


That is a major problem for starting a draft. The time to ramp up is almost a year.

[goforit]

8. The price of being ill-informed!!!..............what can you say to people

who don't do their homework.

This is what Bush and Chenney count on.

[sventvkg]

10. Until the 2nd you get to your unit, you can back out...Tell this kid!

Tell this kid to back out..It's very easy..Just say you changed your mind and you are out....This kid was ill informed as they hope you will be, but now he sees the light and doesn't want to figh..Someone get a message to him that he DOES NOT HAVE TO GO...

[saigon68]

11. They do back out.

Until "inducted" you aren't part of this new increasing Criminal Enterprizse.

The old service, which I knew that had loyalty, honor, pride and Patriotism is gone, Dead and Gone.