The Making of an American Soldier: Why Young People Join the Military

[marmar]

from Sojourners mag., via AlterNet:



The Making of an American Soldier: Why Young People Join the Military

By Jorge Mariscal, Sojourners. Posted June 26, 2007.



George Bush likes to say it's because they're patriots, but the truth may have more to do with financial need and recruiters targeting those with limited economic options.

In today's political climate, with two wars being fought with no end in sight, it can be difficult for some people to understand why young folks enlist in our military.

The conservative claim that most youth enlist due to patriotism and the desire to "serve one's country" is misleading. The Pentagon's own surveys show that something vague and abstract called "duty to country" motivates only a portion of enlistees.

The vast majority of young people wind up in the military for different reasons, ranging from economic pressure to the desire to escape a dead-end situation at home to the promise of citizenship.

Over all, disenfranchisement may be one of the most accurate words for why some youth enlist.

***

When mandatory military service ended in 1973, the volunteer military was born. By the early 1980s, the term "poverty draft" had gained currency to connote the belief that the enlisted ranks of the military were made up of young people with limited economic opportunities.

Today, military recruiters react angrily to the term "poverty draft." They parse terms in order to argue that "the poor" are not good recruiting material because they lack the necessary education. Any inference that those currently serving do so because they have few other options is met with a sharp rebuke, as Sen. John Kerry learned last November when he seemed to tell a group of college students they could either work hard in school or "get stuck in Iraq."

President Bush led the bipartisan charge against Kerry: "The men and women who serve in our all-volunteer armed forces are plenty smart and are serving because they are patriots -- and Sen. Kerry owes them an apology."

In reality, Kerry's "botched joke" -- Kerry said he was talking about President Bush and not the troops -- contained a kernel of truth. It is not so much that one either studies hard or winds up in Iraq but rather that many U.S. troops enlist because access to higher education is closed off to them. Although they may be "plenty smart," financial hardship drives many to view the military's promise of money for college as their only hope to study beyond high school. ....(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.alternet.org/story/52233/

[Virginia Dare]

1. What sort of brain washing are they doing on college campuses?

Some friends of the family are living through a complete nightmare right now. Their 21 year old son just graduated from college with HONORS, and he has already shipped off to officer's candidate school. He's already been told he'll be in Iraq within the year.

These people are 100% dyed in the wool Democrats. Apparently the Army visited the campus and their son got bamboozled. Because he's 21, no parental permission needed to be given. They are beside themselves with anger and fear. They've had ugly ugly words with him, his mother told him, "I didn't give birth to you so you could get blown to bits in an unjust and criminal war".

I feel so horrible for them...:cry:

[Demeter]

2. It May Be Delayed Adolescence

Honors students suppress the need to rebel and break loose from their parents--that's why they do honors work. Then, with the goal accomplished, those unresolved teenage dilemmas break out. If the kid had a girlfriend, she might have been able to keep him out of it.

Been there, done that, have to admit, it's a lot more satisfying to do the rebellion when one has a degree, and a job, and live out from under the parents.

I'll pray for the parents and the son.

[Virginia Dare]

5. I believe you may be right...

I just hope this rebellion doesn't lead to the ultimate tragedy for him. It really angers me that the military is allowed to do this to this kid with no parental input, while they are fully funding his college career. I realize that he's legally an adult, but a full time college student is still legally considered an dependent until they're 22.

[CharlesSheehanMiles]

3. Sorry, but cannot agree

Some of us joined exactly for that -- because we believed in our country. That's why I'm so pissed about how things are going in our counry now.

[babylonsister]

4. CharlesSheehanMiles, welcome to DU!

I just checked out your blog, and think you should really post your latest, "Is this what we swore to defend?" in its entirety, in this group. If you can't do that yet, I'd be happy to do it for you.
It's good!
Again, nice to see you here!

:hi: :thumbsup: