MUNSTER — The steady toll of American casualties in Iraqapparently has not discouraged Indiana men and women from signingup for military service.
Recent yearly recruiter tallies show that enlistments remainbetter than expectations, and the underlying motivation forenlisting does not seem to be patriotism. Instead, it's moneyand the assurance of a job in an economy that continues tostruggle.
‘‘They realize how tight the economy is and howtough it is to get jobs out there,'' said Sandy Wright,guidance counselor at Lake Central High School in Lake County.
The impact the economy has on high school graduates deciding tojoin the military was shown in 1999 when the nation was brimmingwith jobs and college was less expensive. That year, the Army, Navyand Air Force fell short of their recruitment goals.
Pride of the uniform was part of the reason Brian Claunch becamea Marine after high school in 1999. But practical reasons alsoweighed heavy on his decision, he said.
He had no money for college and good-paying, high schoolgraduate level jobs were scarce in his Kentucky hometown.
‘‘It was both the economy and thebenefits,'' said Claunch, now 23 and living inHobart.
During the months leading to the Iraq war, during the war andrecent days of escalating violence, recruiting numbers showvoluntary enlistment surpassing yearly goals, and increasing overlast year in some cases.
In Lake and Porter counties, 117 residents signed up for theMarines between October 2002 and the same month in 2003, a slightincrease from 111 in the previous time span. The Air Forcesurpassed its yearly goal of 882 from in Indiana and parts ofKentucky and Illinois. This year 1,075 signed up.
The Navy's recruitment area that stretches from Milwaukeeto areas as far south as northwestern Indiana's Porter Countybrought in 1,525 recruits. The yearly goal was 1,466.
The Army's local recruitment divisions brought in 2,228recruits from Indiana and parts of Kentucky, 192 more than itsyearly goal.
Given the recent economic slump, ‘‘it has been alittle easier on the recruiters all around,'' saidBrian Curtice, the public affairs officer for the Navy recruitmentdivision.
Read More
Three Air Jam teams take home the win
October 12, 2012Nineteen teams shimmied, shook and flipped for a sold out John R. Emens Auditorium on Thursday night during the 25th annual Air Jam.
Bill Clinton Speaks at North Central High School
October 12, 2012Former President's Speech Could Have Effect on State Senate Race
