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| Home Front: Politix |
| Because of war, Armed Forces recruitment is up |
| 2007-04-16 |
| Oakland, Michigan - Kyle Thiel can't wait to join the U.S. Army and fight the war on terror in Iraq as part of an infantry unit. "Ever since 9/11, that's all I wanted to do," said Thiel, 18, of White Lake Township. Thiel was visiting the recruiting offices for the U.S. Army and Air Force. The offices recently moved to a larger, more updated facility. The Army is enlisting far more soldiers than before the war, officials said. "Pre-invasion, the military was in a different mode. The Cold War had ended and the Army didn't need to be at such full strength," said Army spokesman Jeff Landenberger. "Now a lot of people come in strictly for patriotism. They want to be part of history," added Army Sgt. Aaron Stuckey, 28, of Birmingham. For example, in 2000 - before the American invasion of the Middle East - the Army enlisted 1,953 Michigan soldiers. With a full-fledged war, 2,790 enlisted in 2006. Furthermore, statewide recruitment numbers for the fiscal year 2007 - which runs October 1, 2006 to Sept. 30, 2007 - are up in terms of percentage compared with last year, Landenberger said. The goal for fiscal year 2006 was to bring in 3,524 soldiers, though 2,790 joined. The goal for fiscal year 2007 is 2,773, and so far 1,275 have joined, with six months to go. The objective is lower for 2007 because of Michigan's population exodus and the large number of people re-enlisting. Also, state Army recruitment covers only the Lower Peninsula now, whereas the Upper Peninsula was included last year. In addition, more people are joining the military because of its incentives - an enlistment bonus, 100 percent tuition assistance, as well as comprehensive medical benefits and life insurance for members and their families, added Senior Airman Jonathon Zolnai, who is recruiting for the U.S. Air Force at the office. Because of the perks, the Air Force always exceeds its yearly goals for recruitment, he said. The state goal for fiscal year 2006 was to draw 677 new members and 812 joined. The goal for the fiscal year 2007 to date is 417, and 471 have joined. Zolnai, 24, of Holt has served the Air Force for four years as a military police officer, then as part of a contingency response group, which is trained in base defense, emergency response and combat duties. The danger that comes with a military career is one of the biggest hurdles for recruitment, Zolnai said. But he's spent three tours of duty in Iraq. "I'd go back in a heartbeat," he said. "There's a preconceived notion that everything on television is how it is. Good stuff happens there that isn't reported." |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #3 God bless every one of 'em. |
| Posted by: Hyper 2007-04-16 23:13 |
| #2 That's my thinking, too, Graviger Johnson7830. Oh, and the Marines at least have now opened recruitment to those home schooled. I don't know what kind of numbers involved there, but I imagine that group will be clearly divided between rarin' to go and "But guns kill people!" ;-) |
| Posted by: trailing wife 2007-04-16 21:24 |
| #1 This is why we will prevail. Despite civilian 4.4% unemployment, low military pay, a chance to get maimed or killed in a hot war and incessant media negativity about the war, we still have red blooded American kids stepping up to the plate. |
| Posted by: Graviger Johnson7830 2007-04-16 20:26 |