Army Recruiters Face Investigation

Army Recruiters Face Investigation


GOLDEN, Colo., May 2, 2005

(CBS) In an attempt to boost slumping recruitment numbers, the U.S. Army has started offering stronger incentives, including increased enlistment bonuses.

But two recruiters from Colorado have been suspended as the Army investigates accusations that they encouraged a teenager to lie and cheat so he could join up.

Reporter Rick Sallinger of Denver TV station KCNC reports that 17-year-old high school journalist and honor student David McSwane is just the kind of guy the military would like.

But McSwane tells Sallinger, "I wanted to see how far the Army would go during a war to get one more solider."

more...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/05/02/earlyshow/main692361.shtml

What they did was criminal, but I'm sure it will be explained away as an isolated incident, like the torture scandal.

Perhaps this will inspire more kids to test the recruiting practices at locations throughout the U.S.

I used to work at one. Recruiters sometimes attempt to foist all kinds of stuff on us. Usually, we find out about it during the "moment of truth" briefing when the recruits figure out it ain't worth going to jail for pissing "hot", not telling the MEPS doctors about that football injury that had him laid up for a year, or whatever.

I had one guy show up with a case of insulin asking me where the fridge was. Recruiter (swear to God) told him not to mention any of this to the doctors at the MEPS. About once a month, we'd get someone from out west go into asthmatic fits within moments of coming into contact with the moist, warm (OK, hot as hell) South Carolina air. Another one or two would have an epileptic seizure. Yet more will have various other physical and/or mental problems that would have precluded their entering the Army. Some of those were because the recruit failed to mention these problems, but some had us wondering how the MEPS failed to detect them.

since recruiters happily filled out the medical forms as a "service" for the kids.

Had a history of obessive behavior and "drug issues" before joining the Marines. Less than two years later, he was discharged with a diagnosis as a paranoid schizophrenic.

:headbang:
rocknation

give me a break

The recruiters tried to get my brother to lie, it really pissed me off! :mad:

and more importantly, did it work?

He wanted to join (this was 2 years ago) but told them he wasn't sure if he could because he has had several concussions in his life. They told him to lie about it during his physical.

...and it is a direct function of making goal, or mission, depending on branch. It is NOT news. However, that GIVES ME AN IDEA.

This kid took it a small step--someone with a Diane Sawyer quality hidden camera could really blow the lid off this whole nonsense...do a movie, a news report, make a big splash. Put it out on the internet--once it is out there, you cannot pull it back.

You'd have to take a recruiter or two down to do it (and they are not evil, most do not want the job, and they are under EXTREME pressure) but it would point out that the all-Volunteer military is full of misfits in the junior ranks. It isn't the high quality cadre that it used to be. And our government ignores that important fact, at their peril.

complete with website to lay down one's $200 for a HS diploma. How did that all come about?

This is all too common, get 'em in Delayed Entry, worry about it later. Sign 'em up in a three day blizzard--take the ASVAB, send out the ENTNAC on the same day they physical, and they are in the system till the bad news comes back, then the recruiter gets hammered by his or her bosses.

There was a case many years back of a kid with a glass eye who got bagged during the eye exam. There is nothing they won't do to make goal if they are feeling extreme pressure. They will knowingly bring unqualified candidates to be physicalled, simply to buy an extra day of not being yelled at...

'cheating is good isn't it Sir!'

What's the matter with that? The Pres. does it.

Shows military recruitment tactics for what they are. Rub the noses of well paid talking (empty) heads in this one! Get K.O. to have the kid on as a contrast to AKA Gannon, the pretend journalist but real hooker, who got to waltz into the WH almost 200 times.

Can somebody give this kid some assurances that he will be able to pay for college? Soros? Damn, we need him!

Gee, suddenly I am feeling just the faintest bit of hope for the state of journalism in this country.

Bravo to the young man and his teachers! May their tribe prosper and increase!

It starts at the very top and every single officer I ever met followed the practice. They will falsify reports or lie about anything as long as they are in the clear. It is especially noticeable around inspection time. Especially if it is an IG inspection. They feel like they can take equipment from another unit if they need it and do whatever it takes to Cover their Ass. SOP for the military. They are all LIARS and THIEVES. Every single officer I ever encountered behaved in this manner. It is bred into the military CYA all the way....

Hell, anyone who was IN for more than 2 years knows this to be true. The ones who don't are blind or Criminals themselves.

http://www.katc.com/Global/story.asp?S=3289924


A spokesman says that as of the end of April the Army is on pace to achieve only 85 percent of its recruiting target for the year.

There is cautious optimism that there will be a jump this summer and that the current recruiting deficit can be overcome.

The goal for the year is 80-thousand enlistees.

The Army had hoped to recruit 6600 soldiers in April.

with chloroform and truncheons

Some good advice for anyone considering the military, or for any of us that know someone that may be. Look before you leap as it's a "one way contract".



http://www.nisbco.org/literature/pdf/enlistment_advice.pdf

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20050503/us_nm/iraq_usa_recruiting_dc&printer=1
The U.S. Army missed its April recruiting goal by a whopping 42 percent and the Army Reserve fell short by 37 percent, officials said on Tuesday, showing the depth of the military's wartime recruiting woes.

With the Iraq war straining the U.S. military, the active-duty Army has now missed its recruiting goals in three straight months, with April being by far the worst of the three, and officials are forecasting that it will fall short again in May.

The all-volunteer Army is providing the majority of the ground forces for an Iraq war in which nearly 1,600 U.S. troops have died.

The active-duty Army signed up 3,821 recruits last month, falling short of its goal of 6,600 for April, Army Recruiting Command spokesman Douglas Smith said. That left the Army 16 percent behind its year-to-date goal, officials said.

This cannot stand. Once they recall every old, sick geezer on the IRR and retired lists, they STILL won't have enough. They can drawdown, base-close, and realign, but they just do not have the numbers to keep this shit up. Something has got to give, friends, AND SOON.