U.S. military having recruitment bonanza in hard times

Fresh recruits keep pouring into the U.S. military, as concerns about serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are eclipsed by the terrible civilian job market. The Department of Defense said Tuesday that all branches of the armed forces, including the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, met or exceeded their active duty recruiting goals for January, continuing a trend that began with a decline in the U.S. job market. This is despite more than 4,800 American soldiers, Marines and sailors dying in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. - From CNN

The Marine Corps Times reports, “All four active services have met 100 percent of their recruiting goals,” as of January 2009. Re-enlistments and new enlistments are up. “We’re doing really well,” said Sgt. Greg Gray of the Pleasant Ridge Army Recruiting Office. Another Cincinnati recruiter provided some of the reasons why: A new post-9/11 G.I. Bill that takes effect in August has improved incentives, including up to $65,000 to repay student loans, signing bonuses of $20,000 for two years and $40,000 for four years; and more than $80,000 for college. “Stable income, good benefits, where else will you get free health care?” the recruiter said. - From Delaware Online

As job losses continue to mount, it may come as no surprise that military recruiters are seeing more business. But that’s not the whole story. Many young Vermonters considering the military look first at the National Guard. Especially 19-year-old Loren Sargent of Huntington. But he and others soon learn that the Guard has high standards. Not just anyone can get in. A recruiter at the Guard’s recruiting office at Maple Tree Place in Williston reminded Sargent about one policy. “And again, we said no tattoos, right?… no piercings.” - From WCAX.com