Branching Out
MILITARY RECRUITERS BRING POSITIVE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS AT SCHOOLS
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By Melia Rasmussen
veryone recognizes the posters depicting Uncle Sam aggressively pointing at the viewer, “I WANT YOU” in capital blue letters at the top. The last significant uptick in people enlisting in the military was between 1964 and 1973, during the Vietnam War, where a third of the serving men were drafted. Active personnel reached over 3.5 million before the war grew too, according to the website History in Pieces. However, this isn’t the 1960s. Modern problems require modern solutions. During school registration, there were papers taped around the school telling juniors and seniors to fill out a Google Form if they didn’t want to be contacted by the military. Even so, military personnel are still allowed an opportunity on campus. If college representatives are allowed to send little green slips of paper to students to
Similar to the draft from the 1960s in that those wealthy enough were able to afford higher education, but the working class had little option. Strangely, the U.S. Army based in Kentucky had a Twitch account in 2020 where A common table layout when military recruiters visit they gave away prizes and links that sent the school, displaying papers for contact imformation, viewers directly to the Army recruitment free pens, and other informational pamphlets. form. Twitch flagged them when the Army and Navy esports teams started banning Someone should raise their hand to take that oath because viewers who pointedly asked about war crimes, which they genuinely want to and because they have all the inTwitch said was a violation of the First Amendment. And formation possible. Being able to ask someone millions while the Army banned the use of TikTok on government of questions because one’s confused about life after high phones in 2019, some still used the app to bribe people school shouldn’t be condemned, it should be normalized to join. just as much as talking to people in other professions. It’s That’s not to say recruiters should be locked out of a method of reaching out that other businesses and occuschool. People’s actions can give their organipations don’t use, and it shows the military’s willingness zations a bad reputation, but that doesn’t mean to listen, to help, and to make people feel welcome. everyone should be seen or treated the same way, especially if they actually perform ethically. The approach the military takes to present With several themselves at the school is quite commendable. family members Compared to colleges that send piles of emails, with military backgrounds, or spam callers that are so common that people senior Lauren made apps to combat them, the military is ironHarvey had ically docile. Their presence at this school is the no doubt what opposite of aggressive as they stand casually and she wanted to wait for students to approach the table on their do after high school. Starting own. After that, recruiters such as PO1 Nicolas at the Air Force, G. Ensign are more than happy to answer any PO1 Nic Ensign (right) poses as senior Paige WheelHarvey made her questions thrown their way. Or, in Ensign’s case, er (left) writes her contact information for the Navy way to the Air prompt kids to ask questions about his sleeve during a visit on March 2 National Guard tattoo on his left arm. for a better fit. “I went and talked to the recruiter at “When I was 17, I had no guidance in my life, school because I knew the day that he was inform them of a meeting, military recruiters are allowed and I wanted to travel. That’s why I joined the Navy,” coming to school,” Harvey said. “I signed up the same access, per federal law. But instead of handing Ensign said. “I want to help kids figure that out as well.” for the military thing back in my sophomore out flyers, recruiters post themselves in the lobby with a He estimated that 30 to 50 kids ask them questions each year when I said I was interested.” table containing free pens, informational papers, and a visit, and about five people decide to sign up to join the Harvey was sworn into the 142ND Wing in Dec. of 2021, and will be going nice uniform. Navy afterward. into Non-Destructive Inspection shop for In the Career Center, Lynn Magnuson schedules the Ensign said that being a recruiter is voluntary for three aircraft and equipment. recruiters to visit during lunch, but school administrators years, and those interested sign up in the initial contract “I think a big part of why I was able to have the authority to decide who can arrive and the des- with the Navy. From there, they’re assigned schools to swear in so fast was because I was seeing ignated area for them to occupy. visit based on the job they chose. Creating good relationmy recruiter [Sergeant Zach Scribner] at school... Instead of when you email someSince the official draft was abolished in 1973, enlistships with the school is key, so any form of aggression one, and they don’t get back to you right ment has relied on voluntary commitment. In the past, to students is not the way to remain in good graces of away. It was easier to plan out getting a rumors that recruiters purposefully went to low-income administration, nor is that good for any form of reputahold of him.” high schools and tried to sell them on joining. With bention building. Harvey said that she’s most excited to efits such as health care, housing, job training, and life “I care about finding leaders, and leaders can come travel to interesting places in Europe, such as Germany. The NDI shop, Harvey said, insurance after retiring, high school graduates with limfrom low income schools like I did, or rich schools who gets deployed about every two years or so, ited options might not see easier courses. Or children of pay a lot of money for [stuff],” Ensign said with a wave but only in six month increments, so she’ll immigrant families might see the opportunity of educaof his leather watch-bound wrist. “You find those people be able to come home more frequently. tion programs to ensure their future financial stability. everywhere. It doesn’t matter what school it is.” THE WHIRLWIND
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