US army recruitment booms as economy slumps

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.thenational.ae/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20091205/FOREIGN/712049812/1002/foreign

Last Updated: December 05. 2009 12:20AM UAE / December 4. 2009 8:20PM GMT

ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA // Jake Lawrence admits that if he had had the choice between a high-paying job and joining the army, he most probably would have chosen the job.

But in today’s economic climate, with a record number of college graduates unable to find work, that was not an option for the 24-year old with a master’s in communications.

And so in October, Mr Lawrence enlisted and soon will head to basic training, then Officer Candidate School and after that quite possibly Afghanistan.

“I can’t lie. If I was somewhere making six figures, I likely would not be turning to this,” said Mr Lawrence, whose father is a career army officer. “I think a lot of people would say that as well. But when you have an opportunity, sometimes you’ve got to take it and run with it.”

Despite two wars abroad and a hesitant public, 2009 was a banner year for military recruiters in the US. During the fiscal year, which ended on September 30, the defence department met all of its goals for the first time since the advent of the all-volunteer force in 1973, bringing in about 169,000 active duty recruits.

[Arctic Dave]

1. It has been said here before. We are having an "economic draft".

[mcablue]

15. +1 nt

[Kansas Wyatt]

2. How does a Super Power field an all volunteer military to fight it's wars?

It removes employment, educational, and career opportunities.

Land of the Free my ass!

[Joe the Liberal]

5. This. n/t

[krabigirl]

3. Everything is proceeding as planned.

[cutlassmama]

4. Sad, but true. There aren't any jobs for young people to go to right now.

They have no choice but to join the military.

[BeHereNow]

6. Corporate Social Engineering at it's finest.

How do you build up a million man standing army
to serve your corporate interests under the banner
of national interests?

Create a society in which the ONLY employment opportunity
is to enlist in the Empire's military.

BHN

[atreides1]

8. Rome made that same mistake

And now they're a part of history!!

[BeHereNow]

10. Did you see Capitalism: A Love Story?

Moore is brilliant in his opening sequence
cutting back and forth between a old
educational doc about Rome and footage
from our current government and citizens.

Can't believe people didn't take to the
streets after seeing that film.

BHN

[Deja Q]

12. Well, you saw that entertainment movie. Why aren't you out in the streets? More importantly,

why didn't Moore go to the streets, since he was saying how he would be "thrown to the lions" and even had a hissyfit, saying if people didn't revolution he's quit making movies...

Well, he can happily retire. Maybe he's feeding with the lions...

He's also a hypocrite on movie piracy (when it affects him, you see...)

He might as well admit what limbaugh already did: That he winds up the media and make money by doing so.

Two peas. One pod. Just at the opposite ends and no pea in the middle is going to turn into mush for either their sakes.

[Junkdrawer]

7. What have we become? In a word: Mordor. n/t

[atreides1]

9. No we haven't

Mordor was smarter.

[Lost-in-FL]

11. I know of two people that joined the forces because a "democrat" would be president

and according to them, democrats will bring the troops back home.

One is in Afghanistan and is very depressed. The other, doing everything possible not to get deployed (going to school for another occupation within the forces).

Maybe more people joined because of the belief that the democrats in congress and Obama would oppose further deployments of troops to Afghanistan. I am curious to see the new recruiment numbers after Obama's plan for Afghanistan.

[C_Lawyer09]

13. Anybody who joins the Armed Forces

Should be well aware of the possibility of deployment. I constantly heard babbling about politics as I recruited for the Army. I always made it a point to dissuade anybody from enlisting contingent on political gambling or predictions. Having said this, do you think there is a reason why so many employers actively seek to hire vets? I ask this, because the value of serving tends to be overlooked by the fact that service members are being deployed. When you consider this question, maybe it would help if you assumed nobody was being deployed to war right now. The new recruitment numbers will hold steady or raise, as they always have when the economy is bad. Just as applicants that decide not to join, may do so later, after their primary plans aren't realized. The Army recruiting course states: "It takes a significant emotional event to join the Army" This is almost always true, wartime or not. The fear of the unknown, coupled with extremely dated information, fear of leaving home, are always factors. I'll tell you this, regardless of how many shots recruiters take, the fact is, we/they sell what we know. The other fact is, most of us, regardless for the reason of our joining are proud to serve. Do most active duty service members hope for peace. Hell yes! Do most of us realize that won't often be the probability? Yes again.

[MH1]

14. Too bad they didn't actually listen to Obama's campaign rhetoric about Afghanistan

whether you agree with it or not, it's no surprise that he increased troops in Afghanistan.

[L0oniX]

16. As long as people join the military, the wars will continue and we won't have money for SPHC.

Money for war and troops, Blackwater and banksters but none for health care or civilian jobs.

[Nikki Stone1]

17. Not a surprise at all. We knew this was coming.

Bitter. Just bitter.

[donco]

18. This is news?

Its been that way during every downturn in the economy that I can remember.

[maryf]

19. The recruiters in my school

are treated like buddies by nearly all, :( K&R