Chats about joining the army
A young African American guy here at work is thinking of signing up with the Army. He works behind the till at the cafeteria/canteen, a job that pays very little. On Friday, as I waited for my food, I listened to one of the security guards telling him about service in Iraq, mostly in terms of sizable enlistment bonuses and massive reenlistment $50K bonuses every three years. Ten minutes of discussions that were all about getting the most cash out of Uncle Sam. No mention of patriotism, the war on terror, defending freedom or anything like that. And with two African American men, it is far too easy for folks to make negative assumptions, particularly because if it was all so great, why was the guy handing out advice now working as a security guard?
Added to this was the 60 Minutes expose on how military recruiters regularly lie to new recruits, going as far as helping them to pass drug tests and assuring them that Iraq was safer than the streets of their own city. Worse, the army recruits people by touting all the opportunities for advancement, and yet Wal-Mart has their little patriotic advert going, saluting the veterans working in their stores. Working in Wal-Mart they could do without going to the Military. And other reports have shown major re-assimilation problems. Not to mention how few who "join to get their degree" ever get that degree.
So I spoke to the young man myself today. He is a sweet and somewhat shy fellow. He said he was looking into his options and was considering getting some college under his belt before enlisting. I think he figures this will increase his odds of getting real advancement, and possibly decrease his odds of being on the front lines. I don't think he is that keen on going to Iraq, or that he particularly approves of the war. But it is something he wants to do. And this time there was some emphasis on the service part of military service. There is some of the patriot in him. All that talk of enlistment and reenlistment bonuses had not really swayed him. He had a broad plan and was carefully evaluating his options. I was glad I spoke to him, rather than making broad assumptions based on the overheard conversation, mostly conducted by the braggart he was talking to.
I found it all quite intriguing.
Added to this was the 60 Minutes expose on how military recruiters regularly lie to new recruits, going as far as helping them to pass drug tests and assuring them that Iraq was safer than the streets of their own city. Worse, the army recruits people by touting all the opportunities for advancement, and yet Wal-Mart has their little patriotic advert going, saluting the veterans working in their stores. Working in Wal-Mart they could do without going to the Military. And other reports have shown major re-assimilation problems. Not to mention how few who "join to get their degree" ever get that degree.
So I spoke to the young man myself today. He is a sweet and somewhat shy fellow. He said he was looking into his options and was considering getting some college under his belt before enlisting. I think he figures this will increase his odds of getting real advancement, and possibly decrease his odds of being on the front lines. I don't think he is that keen on going to Iraq, or that he particularly approves of the war. But it is something he wants to do. And this time there was some emphasis on the service part of military service. There is some of the patriot in him. All that talk of enlistment and reenlistment bonuses had not really swayed him. He had a broad plan and was carefully evaluating his options. I was glad I spoke to him, rather than making broad assumptions based on the overheard conversation, mostly conducted by the braggart he was talking to.
I found it all quite intriguing.