Kerry is a Red Herring - Get Back To The Facts

C’mon GOP, give us a break! John Kerry in his press conference on Monday made reference to the fact that the educated elites don’t join the volunteer military, but the poor - middle class, join the service for several reasons. Of course Kerry’s real point was that Bush was just a "C" student (so we’ve been getting a "C" Administration). As a former Navy Recruiter (Three years) and as an administrator at the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS - where kids go to join the military) here’s how I believe the military gets kids to join up: The advertising promises a great life with tons of friends with lots of things to do. When I viewed Army of One at http://www.army-one.com I’m struck by the pictures which appears to be clearly aimed at minorities. These guys look more like Gansta Rappers than successful college students. Of course the biggest indicator of who is targeted for recruitment is where the recruiters go.

1. Recruiters are assigned high schoolsRecruiters are given the scores of the ASVAB test (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery), a test which is used by the military to determine which jobs the potential recruit is qualified for.
2. Recruiters do not recruit on college campus. (because these people have a chance for a future other than Iraq).
3. The Marine Corps is famous for telling applicants that once they have tested, the are obligated to join the Corps.
4. Many recruiters will result to coercion if it’s plain it will work.
5. A huge number of recruiters lie to prospects about what they’ll get:

• What job they'll get

  Where they’ll be assigned

  What military life is like

  Anything that will move the prospect to take the ASVAB test and join.

Recruiters are taught sales techniques because they have to sell kids on the idea of joining. All recruiters use psychology to get prospects to apply.

• "Aren’t you patriotic?"
• "Do you want the terrorists in America killing your mom, dad, sister, brother, etc?"
• "Aren’t you man enough?"
• "You’re a wussy if you don’t join."

And as a side note, everyone should be aware that Recruiting Duty can make or break a military career. Just as in any sales job, quotas are key. Make or beat your quota and you're a hero - for that month, because there is a new-month-a-comin'. It doesn't end there. The military is key about "flavors" (races) though the official stance is that they are not. The pressure is astronomical to succeed. It's no wonder that many recruiters succumb to lying - at least "white lies" to make it.

Further, Kerry didn’t say the people in the military are stupid or dumb. He said the people, at least most of them, used the military to get the money together to get to college with the GI Bill. Let’s look at the ROTC program. Again, people are getting four years of college paid for AND they're getting paid at an E-5 level. Almost no one who has the cash to go to college uses these programs. One other thing that Kerry is aware of that most Americans are not aware of s that the Army offers large bonuses for prospects to take certain jobs. So, why all these things if the people joining the militaryLet’s take a look at where recruiters are working by financially defined areas. From National Priorities we find the following:The comparison between 2004 and 2005 indicates that upper-middle and high-income neighborhoods have fallen in representation from 2005. In other words, wealthier neighborhoods are less represented in 2005 than they were in 2004. All neighborhoods with median household incomes between $30,000 to $54,999 increased in proportion. All neighborhoods with median household incomes $55,000 or more decreased. Taken together, the entire range from $55,000 and above became more under-represented. Keep in mind the latest reports are that interest rates for college loans are getting higher and higher, scholarships are getting tighter and tighter. It’s getting worse - not better. As these conditions worsen, the GI Bill looks better and better.Don’t get me wrong. I believe in a strong military. I’m retired military. I believe in security and protecting America. I’m not in favor of the GOP lying about why kids join the military. If college was easy to pay for, the GI Bill would be worthless. But it’s a prime reason for joining the military. Everyone wants to get ahead. And after all, that’s what America is all about.