U.S. military recruiters' new pitch is aimed at the parents

[donsu]

http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/education/6474788.htm

-snip-

A new Pentagon recruiting ad campaign, featuring Jones and four other role models, aims to persuade more parents to see the military as a winning option for their children. Parents usually can make or break the deals that recruiters want their offspring to sign.

But according to a 2002 Pentagon survey, most parents today view military service as a last resort, far behind continuing school and finding a job. The exceptions tend to be parents like Jones' who have served in uniform themselves, and their numbers are shrinking in these days of a downsized, all-volunteer military.

-snip-

"The ongoing casualties we are suffering in Iraq will definitely have a negative effect on recruitment," Moskos said.

-snip-

The Defense Department would like to draw recruits from all segments of society so the burden of defending the country is borne equally by all.
-snip-
-------------------

I'm posting this as we are all wondering about the Draft; and I'm disgusted at the brainwashing of parents and wonder if the brainwashing is working, etc. etc.

[Divernan]

1. Bait and switch

A major reason for many to volunteer was the promise of on the job training which would be transferable to post-service employment, along with tuition assistance. If the privatization of the army support services is continued and further expanded, the only on-the-job training will be for operating battlefield equipment, and instead of the one out of ten soldiers actually on the battle field, ALL of them will be actively fighting. The percentage of soldiers killed, maimed and/or otherwise seriously wounded will be much higher (by a factor of 10) - so those able to take advantage of the tuition assistance will decrease greatly. Yes, it's win-win for the Administration.