Military Recruitment

[epeemike81]

I've noticed a few disturbing trends regarding military recruiting, and wanted to see what others on this board thought about it. First, it seems that there are fewer recruitment commercials for the Army and more for the reserves these days. This is just my perception, not a fact garnered from anywhere. do you share this perception?

Second, many of the recruitment commercials I've seen recently seem to be specifically aimed at kids who are encountering resistance to the idea of enlistment from their parents. One of the army's commercials shows a smiling, laughing soldier recounting how upset his mother was when he enlisted. Another commercial, this one for the reserves, features a son trying to convince his skepticalfather that enlistment is a good idea. Particularly disturbing in this ad is that in response to his father's worry about the danger of being killed, the son says "It's the RESERVES." This seems fairly disingenuous, given the number of reserve units currently active.

This disturbing trend joins the already disturbing trend of recruitment in mostly impoverished communities.

I suggest a few policy changes (neither of which will ever actually happen due to political and logistical concerns):

• Do not allow recruitment for the reserves while reserve units are active. Using the reserve nature of the service as a recruitment tool while reservists are on active duty is, imo, quite dishonest.
• Set goals not only for raw numbers, but for socioeconomic diversity. this will encourage recruiters not to target just impoverished neighborhoods.

I have nothing but the utmost respect for anybody who chooses to enlist, which is why I want to make sure they are making that decision with their eyes wide open.

Agree? Disagree?

-m

[Welted 24/7]

Since I don't watch very much TV, I can't comment on the commercials, but the phone recruiters are a nightmare. My parents get at least one call a month saying "This is about the information your son requested", when I haven't requested anything. I understand that they HAVE to call, but they could at least not try conning people who are gullible enough to listen into it.

Also, in a peculiar contrast to the "Oh, it's just the reserves" attitude you describe in the commercials, the ads here in Queens seem to be getting a bit more aggressive. Instead of "An Army of one", or "Be all you can be", or "The few, the proud, the Marines", or any of those other pseudo-inspirational taglines, now we've got things like "Life, liberty and the pursuit of all who threaten it."

[S. Hunter]

I dont particularly see why they are disturbing trends. The number of reserves in use is still rather small, and the military can be an incredibly rewarding experiance for many, and can and does change many more lives for the better than it has a negative impact upon.

If, and I stress the if here because I haven't seen the commercials, the military is recruiting aggressively, more power to them. There are people who, when honestly weighting options, will find it better to go into the service and if the goal here is to try and reach as many people and inform them, I dont see a problem. I think we, as a nation, are starting to enter in a pseudo-Vietnam War mentality, whereas instead of declaring the soldiers bad, we are declaring the military as an entirety bad just because there is a war going on. I do not agree with the war in Iraq, but I realize that we cannot pull out tomorrow and soldiers are needed. If people choose that path, it is their choice to make, and all this seems to be is a way to get people to consider the path.

[Army Fencer]

Originally Posted by Welted 24/7

[N]ow we've got things like "Life, liberty and the pursuit of all who threaten it."

That's pretty funny. I haven't seen that one yet.

[epeemike81]

Originally Posted by S. Hunter

There are people who, when honestly weighting options, will find it better to go into the service and if the goal here is to try and reach as many people and inform them, I dont see a problem.

my problem is with the propagandistic and dishonest nature of the recruiting. You're right that there ARE people who, when honestly weighing options, will find it better to go into the service. this type of propaganda, though, doesn't lead to an ability to honestly weigh options.

I think we, as a nation, are starting to enter in a pseudo-Vietnam War mentality, whereas instead of declaring the soldiers bad, we are declaring the military as an entirety bad just because there is a war going on. I do not agree with the war in Iraq, but I realize that we cannot pull out tomorrow and soldiers are needed. If people choose that path, it is their choice to make, and all this seems to be is a way to get people to consider the path.

I am certainly not declaring the military bad. As I said in my original post, I have nothing but respect for those who choose to serve. I just want them to be able to make an INFORMED choice to serve, not be berated by propaganda.

-m

[Welted 24/7]

That's pretty funny. I haven't seen that one yet.

It's a Navy billboard across the street from my bank. Of course, what with me being in Queens and you being...well, wherever Bliss is, that probably doesn't help very much.

[gojujay]

Unless you're consciously avoiding the media, you can see that even reservists can end up on the frontlines, especially if you're a combat MOS. I have a hard time believing the "uninformed decision" angle.

[foildad]

Originally Posted by S. Hunter

...I think we, as a nation, are starting to enter in a pseudo-Vietnam War mentality, whereas instead of declaring the soldiers bad, we are declaring the military as an entirety bad just because there is a war going on...

You're right about the Vietnam era anti-soldier sentiment. Draftees risked their lives and came home to scorn.

In today's environment you don't hear opponents of the Iraqi war villifying the soldiers. Similarly, I think it's wrong to chastise the military for where we are today.

The decisions that took us to war were not made by the military leadership, they were made by polititians.

[Moses]

Originally Posted by foildad

The decisions that took us to war were not made by the military leadership, they were made by polititians.

Excellent. The decisions that lead to war in Iraq and the manner in which that task was undertaken was a product of civilian Pentagon leadership and the Transformation doctrine, NOT the actions of military leaders under the Powell doctrine.

Military decisions should be left in the hands of military leaders.

-Da Mose

[Epee_Pox]

Originally Posted by Moses

Military decisions should be left in the hands of military leaders.

-Da Mose

Not completely correct.

The decision of whether to go to war, and the ultimate objectives of that war, must be left to the civilian elected government.

However, once the military has been sent in, the decisions of HOW to achieve the war's objectives must be left to the military doing the job. Tactical decisions must be left to the unit executing a given task. Strategic decisions must be left to the commanders in the theater.

(That was one of the biggest lessons from Vietnam, where each day's targets, the tactics and equipment to be used, and almost all other important decisions were decided in Washington. Often without any relation to what was really happening on the ground and in the air. Lots of our boys were killed by such stupidity.)

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Epee_Pox

(That was one of the biggest lessons from Vietnam, where each day's targets, the tactics and equipment to be used, and almost all other important decisions were decided in Washington. Often without any relation to what was really happening on the ground and in the air. Lots of our boys were killed by such stupidity.)

That is the reason why I made my statements. The civilian arm should ensure that actions taken by the military do not harm the political reputation of the nation or its military, that international laws are followed and, of course, actually give the final word as to whether or not to start a war.

That is what I meant, but I decided to be succinct than spell out every word of my intention (thanks for doing the work for me! )

-Da Mose

[Inquartata]

Meanwhile...has anyone seen the draft that the left insisted was secretly being planned for implementation by the Bush Administration? Has it been misplaced somehow, or....?

[Have At You]

Now now. Everyone knew that was just a scare tactic to get out the uninformed/youth vote. Didn't work.

Isn't it bad form to rub people's noses in failed attempts of such nature?

[Moses]

Originally Posted by Have At You

Isn't it bad form to rub people's noses in failed attempts of such nature?

All's fair in love and politics.

-Da Mose

[civiltech]

There has been a huge push for the reserves here in Canada. Especially after the cash injection from the fed's recently. (and more is coming.)

I went in to talk to a recruitment officer for a while, and see if I was applicable for a Combat Engineer which seemed to fall in line with my work/experience. Part Time/ Reserves. He was matter of fact, and not at all pushy. In fact, he simply stated that most of the recruits in his 10 years experience were teenagers/students and his best line was "tired of retail wanna try something different." In Canada, you can leave the reserves at any time, and cannot be forced to go overseas. So really, they pay decent for a summer/part time job, they have health/benefit packages, etc. And usually after the student graduates from college/uni they are long gone. Its a fun job for the summer/and part time during the year.

Not to be totally rude, but there is much more money and future for people outside of the military. Those who stay may have a different plan. ie.-Doctors, students who had tuition paid for, etc. and have mandatory service.

The reason he never sees people over the age of 23 is that they have carried on with life. To switch carreers and suddenly say "I wanna join the army" just doesn't happen. It is something they are struggling with, however you gotta work with what you have.

Oh, and I never joined.....to much time and effort on top of work.....however, if you have summer holidays, I would totally recommend it!