Unemployed? Don't count on the military - year long wait to get into boot camp

[Liberal_in_LA]

Unemployed? Don't count on the military

Washington (CNN) -- Friday's government report showing a rise in unemployment shines a light on a new hurdle facing young people in need of work: The military isn't the reliable source of employment that it used to be. The Army and Marine Corps are getting smaller, and now there's a nearly year-long waiting list just to get into boot camp, no matter which branch you want to join.

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A lot of it has to do with the economy.

"In a tighter job market, young men and women may be more receptive to learning about the many opportunities the military has to offer, from competitive salaries and compensation packages, extraordinary education benefits, to valuable job skills and leadership training," Smith said.

It's not just a tighter job market that has more people seeking to enlist. Defending America pays better than it used to.

"The average junior enlisted member, typically with just a high school degree, earns approximately $43,000 per year," Smith said. And that doesn't include benefits like free medical care and a government-paid retirement package that kicks in with 20 years of active-duty service

http://www.cnn.com/2011/POLITICS/07/08/unemployment.military/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[N7Shepard]

1. Any information on wait to get into officer candidate school?

[TheDebbieDee]

2. My daughter is considering joining the US Air Force -

the recruiter told her should would have a two-year wait for basic training.

[Zywiec]

4. I'm glad she's considering the best branch

With a two year wait, she should get her choice of MOS.

:patriot:

[TheDebbieDee]

5. Excuse me.........but my daughter is an Army brat. The Air Force

might be the best branch for Her, but is the Air Force even the REAL military yet? :evilgrin:

[Zywiec]

6. LOL - No worries, I'm 24 years (so far) Army

but would always recommend the Air Force to my kids before my own beloved branch.

:hi:

[TwilightGardener]

9. Yep--my husband is Air Force, but has worked with Army guys--

he's endlessly surprised at how they're generally treated like crap. AF is much better to its people.

[Obamanaut]

8. Maybe the second best. There's the Navy, you know. nt.

[DiverDave]

14. I really wish I would have went

Coast Guard, considering what my handle is:eyes:.

I sure could have used a captains license when I taught diving

As a tank crewman, I really wasnt all that prepaired to dive...

[anarch]

3. but...we're at war

How can this be? It's as if the world makes no sense at all.

[Divernan]

7. My understanding is that much of the support work has been outsourced.

Formula used to be something like 6 support military for every one in battle - that was a long time ago.

[rollin74]

10. K & R

[2Design]

11. these are the only jobs our govern has created and why they want to continue war making

[Angleae]

12. Long enlistment waits during a bad economy is nothing new.

I had a 9 month wait back in 1985-86

[Politicalboi]

13. Oh Horse Pucky!

We've been told, that the government doesn't create jobs!!!! How can this be? :sarcasm: