Activists ready to challenge new military recruitment tactics...

[marmar]

Activists Pose Fresh Challenges to New Recruiter Tactics
Submitted by davidswanson on Fri, 2006-07-28 21:32. Nonviolent Resistance
By Catherine Komp
http://newstandardnews.net

As the military develops increasingly sophisticated approaches to roping in America’s youth, a renewed counter-recruitment movement is fighting back with its own fresh strategies.

July 28 – Raymond Cyrille thought about joining the military throughout junior high. The 18-year-old New Yorker said the Navy did well by two of his uncles, who lead lifestyles in retirement that Cyrille finds appealing.

But by the end of freshman year, Cyrille had changed his mind.

"They joined the military at a very different time. They’re from the South, and it was kind of tradition in that area for young men of color to join the military," Cyrille told The NewStandard. "For me to join now would be totally different. The money’s different, and we’re at war."

By his senior year of high school, Cyrille was engaged in counter-recruitment work with Youth Activists-Youth Allies (Ya-Ya) Network, a New York-based youth-led advocacy group.

Cyrille is part of a growing movement of anti-war, counter-recruitment activists across the country, many of them youth, who are using education, art, music, technology and community-building to face off against the amply-funded recruiting tactics of the United States military.

Deep pockets
Over the next week, US Army recruiters have scheduled appearances at venues as diverse as a rodeo in Abilene, Kansas; a county fair in Wheeling, West Virginia; "Mall Day" in Erie, Pennsylvania; pro-football hall-of-fame week in Canton, Ohio; and surfing competitions in Huntington Beach, California.

The US military’s recruitment machine has become highly innovative, proving itself in-touch with many aspects of youth culture. The Army uses a slick, multi-player online video game that attracts enthusiasts of all ages from around the world, but most importantly infiltrates popular culture the Army says offers a "virtual experience within which to explore entry level and advanced training."

The Marine Corps, meanwhile, has set up its own MySpace.com page, attracting more than 13,500 "friends" on the social-networking site popular among young people. And the National Guard gives Internet users "HOOAH" points, named after the military’s own energy bar and drink. The points are redeemable for iTunes songs and "other cool stuff" – after they submit a valid name and e-mail address.

Recruitment goals for June 2006 alone were nearly 50,000 for the Army National Guard, about 25,000 for the Army Reserve, and about 6,000 for the Marines.

The rest of the article is at: http://www.afterdowningstreet.org/node/13367