Back in the 60s and Vietnam, recruiters could and did say pretty much anything as they recruited for the war in Southeast Asia. As an expert on the Vietnamese recruiting process, I see only subtle changes these days. Funny thing, our youngest decided she wanted to go into the Army and tried to sign up before 9/11. She was rejected at the time, because they had the luxury of rejecting those who did not perform well on entrance exams. Given a few months, my daughter would have easily qualified, and boy are we thankful for rejection.
I was lied to as a Vietnam recruit. What they promised me, after college, isn't what they offered me, and this was back in 1968. I spent part of 5 years hanging out at the draft offices in Oklahoma City. I saw high school students cajoled, lied to and threatened as part of the routine of recruiting. From reading Mark Thompson's reflexions on recruiters and suicide in Time, I am not surprised with what the article reveals. Not much has changed except for the numbers. The article is worth the read. Why would recruiters commit suicide if the jobs were legit?
I think 18 is too young to be meat for recruiters. Give the kids an extra two years before the recruiters are capable of getting their claws on them, and exaggerate the war and needs, while lying about recruits to get them qualified. George W. and I would have gone into the Army at the same time. I was forced to join the Army while everyone knows Bush's story. I was in the Army for a year before they kicked me out for medical reasons - jusfiably so. I would have never made it through Boot Camp.
Read Thompson's article and you will understand why little has changed over the decades as the military fills its slots each month.
