thedrifter
02-02-09, 08:13 AM
North Idaho military recruiters having more success
Associated Press
Published: February 1, 2009
HAYDEN, Idaho — Military recruiters in northern Idaho say the tough economy is making it easier to find people to sign up.
"For the quarter January through March, our goal was 22," said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Mason, commander for the Army's recruiting station in Hayden. "We have already put in 17."
He said a shortage of jobs has brought in more candidates, a trend reflected in other parts of the nation.
While the services have reported exceeding their recruiting goals in the past year, the Pentagon remains under pressure to find a constant flow of recruits. The Defense Department has announced plans to boost the active duty Army by 65,000 to a total of 547,000 soldiers by next year, and grow the Marines from 175,000 to 202,000 by 2011.
Pvt. Jacob Gray, 19, just returned to northern Idaho from three months of boot camp with the Marine Corps in San Diego, Calif.
Before the Marines, he said he had a dead-end job loading trucks.
"I didn't have a good job," Gray told the Coeur d'Alene Press.
So he signed up to become a combat engineer. After fulfilling his four-year obligation with the Marine Corps, he can rejoin or use his skills in the civilian work force.
"He will get certified as a journeyman carpenter," said Marine Corps Sgt. Charles Wahl.
Wahl said it has been easier for the Marines to meet their quota because of good marketing as well as sales training for recruiters.
"We usually do better than what they ask," he said.
Recruiters said they can also be picker when choosing recruits, rejecting some who might have been considered in previous years, such as those with minor criminal records or without a high school diploma.
Mason said promotions in rank in the Army are almost automatic through the first few levels and can lead to $1,800 per month in pay.
Christopher Empsall, 18, on Friday was in the process of joining the Marines after not being able to find a good job. He said he was signing up to become a cryptographic linguist.
"The pay is through the roof once you get out," Empsall said.
Ellie
Associated Press
Published: February 1, 2009
HAYDEN, Idaho — Military recruiters in northern Idaho say the tough economy is making it easier to find people to sign up.
"For the quarter January through March, our goal was 22," said Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Mason, commander for the Army's recruiting station in Hayden. "We have already put in 17."
He said a shortage of jobs has brought in more candidates, a trend reflected in other parts of the nation.
While the services have reported exceeding their recruiting goals in the past year, the Pentagon remains under pressure to find a constant flow of recruits. The Defense Department has announced plans to boost the active duty Army by 65,000 to a total of 547,000 soldiers by next year, and grow the Marines from 175,000 to 202,000 by 2011.
Pvt. Jacob Gray, 19, just returned to northern Idaho from three months of boot camp with the Marine Corps in San Diego, Calif.
Before the Marines, he said he had a dead-end job loading trucks.
"I didn't have a good job," Gray told the Coeur d'Alene Press.
So he signed up to become a combat engineer. After fulfilling his four-year obligation with the Marine Corps, he can rejoin or use his skills in the civilian work force.
"He will get certified as a journeyman carpenter," said Marine Corps Sgt. Charles Wahl.
Wahl said it has been easier for the Marines to meet their quota because of good marketing as well as sales training for recruiters.
"We usually do better than what they ask," he said.
Recruiters said they can also be picker when choosing recruits, rejecting some who might have been considered in previous years, such as those with minor criminal records or without a high school diploma.
Mason said promotions in rank in the Army are almost automatic through the first few levels and can lead to $1,800 per month in pay.
Christopher Empsall, 18, on Friday was in the process of joining the Marines after not being able to find a good job. He said he was signing up to become a cryptographic linguist.
"The pay is through the roof once you get out," Empsall said.
Ellie