Rise in unemployment driving many to enlist in military

[sluggo]

How convenient.


With unemployment rates on the rise throughout the country, more people are choosing to march to the military recruitment office rather than the unemployment office. Military enrollment is the highest it's been since the volunteer military started in 1973.

“I decided to join the army because I think it's the best career decision a young person can make because there are not many jobs out there now with the economy being down,” said new Army recruit Michael Caldwell.
Caldwell is part of a youth troop that's storming military recruitment offices throughout the country.

For the first time in more than 35 years the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines have all met their recruitment goals, and it's no different here in the port city.
“We in the Wilmington area have seen a slight increase in the numbers and the quality of personnel that we have been putting in the Army,” said Sgt. John Jones of the Army.

Ninety-five percent of new recruits have at least graduated from high school, and with increasing unemployment it's easier for many to choose from more than 100 career opportunities offered by the army than applying the old fashioned way.
Read more.... (http://www.wwaytv3.com/rise_unemployment_driving_many_enlist_military/10/2009)

[sevin]

It's all part of the plan... (http://www.moviesoundclips.net/movies1/darkknight/plan.mp3)

[JeNNiF00F00]

People I know have already done this. The navy gives like 10k to anyone who signs up to join. Then they put you through school, and give you all types of promises.

[MsDoodahs]

God this makes me so sad.

[Andrew-Austin]

Could have seen this coming from a mile away.

[Romulus]

DrP was in the service people..

[Original_Intent]

Big shock.

[Icymudpuppy]

Best way to get rid of unemployment? Start a gargantuan war to Kill off the excess population...
Worked in 1860.
Worked in 1918.
Worked in 1941.
Worked in 1966.

Here we go again!

[MichelleHeart]

All those dead troops in WWII worked very well for the economy under FDR.

[catdd]

America's answer to China.

[2young2vote]

If things got bad enough in my life, i would enlist in the military too. The military is sort of a last resort option that I will most likely never have to take.

[Oyate]

The military has always been a refuge from poverty in any Western and most Asian cultures. Been happening for as long as there's been organized armies.

[Liberty Star]

Even in bad economy, we have more heroes willing to risk their lives to spread freedoms, justice, racial equality and anti-torture policies to other parts of the world.

[tpreitzel]

Now, pay the mercenaries in amenities like food, tent, rifle, and constitutional education instead of primarily cash. ;) Take away the cash incentive ... and we'll soon see the REAL motivation for joining the military and I'll wager the motivation isn't primarily altruistic.

[bkreigh]

I guess i dont understand why some people on here view those that enlist as evil. Seems like there is a preconceived notion that they join just to strip your rights away will become brainwashed to think that it is ok.

Most of you would be surprised to know that, that is not the case. There have been a couple of instances where somebody tried to "school me" and raised their voice just because i wear the uniform. I just take it and let them be on their way. No need to worry about jack asses like that.

Some of the comments on this board piss me off to no end to say the least because some of you have no fuckin clue.

[Andrew-Austin]

I guess i dont understand why some people on here view those that enlist as evil. Seems like there is a preconceived notion that they join just to strip your rights away or will become brainwashed to think that it is ok.

Most of you would be surprised to know that, that is not the case. There have been a couple of instances where somebody tried to "school me" and raised their voice just because i wear the uniform. I just take it and let them be on their way. No need to worry about jack asses like that.

Some of the comments on this board piss me off to no end to say the least because some of you have no fuckin clue.

I don't think joining makes you "inherently evil", its a little more complicated than that. And intentions have little to do with the issue. Whether someone joins just so they can shoot at muslims, or they join to 'protect' the country has little bearing on the reality of the matter.

...But I'm not really interested in pissing you off so I'll refrain from pointlessly ranting. I can at least deeply empathize with the position soldiers are in if I can't approve of joining. I've had family in the military.

[Vessol]

I guess i dont understand why some people on here view those that enlist as evil. Seems like there is a preconceived notion that they join just to strip your rights away will become brainwashed to think that it is ok.

Most of you would be surprised to know that, that is not the case. There have been a couple of instances where somebody tried to "school me" and raised their voice just because i wear the uniform. I just take it and let them be on their way. No need to worry about jack asses like that.

Some of the comments on this board piss me off to no end to say the least because some of you have no fuckin clue.

Except that the U.S Military isn't working in the American peoples interest anymore, the U.S Military works for Wallstreet now.

[bkreigh]

Except that the U.S Military isn't working in the American peoples interest anymore, the U.S Military works for Wallstreet now.

Way to throw 100% of the military in there! well done. :rolleyes:

[Vessol]

Way to throw 100% of the military in there! well done. :rolleyes:

I wasn't saying that individual soldiers choose to, the militaries goals and actions are to benefit the bankers.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

Except that the U.S Military isn't working in the American peoples interest anymore, the U.S Military works for Wallstreet now.

Except for, you know, the Coast Guard....

Don't get me wrong. I still think its one giant swindle. They could easily privatize my job, and I openly call for them to do it all the time. There's absolutely no need for my position to be one of a military matter. I bet, companies like Tow Boat US, Boating insurance companies, etc. would be perfectly capable of running the operation with a profit. Of course they would be more frugal and people wouldn't think we would always be there for all the stupid mistakes people make. IE, the moral hazard would be gone. Seriously, I couldn't tell you how many stupid people I've seen that go out in their kayaks, 10ft hobiecats, etc. while there are small craft / gale warnings out. Secondly, 90% of the things we search for are PURELY for CYA. We work maybe 3-5% of our cases, are actually real SAR. We waste so much of your money, even though our budget is so small.

I'm all for having localized State Coast Guard's if individual States want to have that. Besides, most rescues are by Good samaritans! Seriously, my job is a joke.

[bkreigh]

I wasn't saying that individual soldiers choose to, the militaries goals and actions are to benefit the bankers.

You are saying the military though. You didnt break down a single thing. You throw every branch, every division, everything into one clump of crap just like many people on this board do.

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

You are saying the military though. You didnt break down a single thing. You throw every branch, every division, everything into one clump of crap just like many people on this board do.

Yeah, I've seen a lot of anti-military on here. Personally, I'm anti-standing armies. I'm pro-militia, which is effectively still "military". Along with that, there should be more Military Institutes than there are. Let people go for 4-6 years, get their degree's and learn military doctrine / history, so that they can be productive citizens both in peacetime and wartime. MILITIA. MILITIA. MILITIA.

If you read my last post, you will get the gist of my feelings. My job is a total joke and waste of your money.

[bkreigh]

Yeah, I've seen a lot of anti-military on here. Personally, I'm anti-standing armies. I'm pro-militia, which is effectively still "military". Along with that, there should be more Military Institutes than there are. Let people go for 4-6 years, get their degree's and learn military doctrine / history, so that they can be productive citizens both in peacetime and wartime. MILITIA. MILITIA. MILITIA.

If you read my last post, you will get the gist of my feelings. My job is a total joke and waste of your money.

sent you a pm

[Vessol]

Whoa whoa whoa. I am NOT anti-military. I have a lot of friends and family in the military and I live in a military town. I am upset at the military being used by those who would use it for profits and creating an American Empire.

[bkreigh]

Whoa whoa whoa. I am NOT anti-military. I have a lot of friends and family in the military and I live in a military town. I am upset at the military being used by those who would use it for profits and creating an American Empire.

i understand and think you would be hard pressed to find others that disagree with you.

[MichelleHeart]

I am against both wars, but I support our brave troops with the fullness of my heart.

[sluggo]

Nothing wrong with joining the service. It's the circumstances I object to, not the soldiers.

Supporting our troops does not necessarily mean you support the intentions of the evil bastards who are sending them to die in foreign lands.

[RM918]

Whoa whoa whoa. I am NOT anti-military. I have a lot of friends and family in the military and I live in a military town. I am upset at the military being used by those who would use it for profits and creating an American Empire.

This. I think this is really the majority opinion on this board, but people hear 'the military' and instantly assume you're talking about anyone that joins it. I think that's a wrong assumption for the wide majority.

Of course, there will be purists who think joining it is perpetuating it and that's more of an ideological debate than anything.

[awake]

"Permanent mass unemployment destroys the moral foundations of the social order. The young people, who, having finished their training for work, are forced to remain idle, are the ferment out of which the most radical political movements are formed. In their ranks the soldiers of the coming revolutions are recruited." - Mises - Socialism