Oct 17, 2009 12:46 pm US/Eastern
Military Recruitment Up Due To Rough Economy
SACRAMENTO (CBS) ―
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For the first time in a long time, the U.S. military had no trouble finding new recruits.
CBS / AP
For the first time in a long time, the U.S. military had no trouble finding new recruits. CBS station KOVR-TV went to find out what's behind the record year.
A high school football game is not where you would expect to see men in uniform, but if rounding up recruits is their duty, KOVR-TV reports. All military branches have far exceeded recruitment goals this year, and the army is now pleased with their wide selection of soldiers.
"All kinds of people; high school seniors, college grads, we had a couple of people come through with Masters Degrees," says Captain Bennett.
Recruiters explain to students they can earn up to $40,000 in bonuses just for signing up.
The possibility of going to war has been a turn-off for many, but now with the jobless rate at 12 percent, thousands consider this to be a better battle than unemployment.
"I'll get a whole bunch of opportunity I could never get before," says Andre, a recruit.
Opportunities include housing, medical coverage, college tuition and a fairly hefty salary, which is all paid for by the U.S. Government. With perks like these recruiters admit the nation's unemployment has helped them score.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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