COUNTERING MILITARY RECRUITMENT
Articles: Military Recruiting: General
Counselors: Fewer sign up
Randy Louis, The Daily Iberian
February 8, 2007
The number of high school seniors going into the military field has
decreased during the past couple of years, guidance counselors at New
Iberia Senior High School and Westgate High School said.
"Over the last couple of years the number of high school seniors entering
the military has gone down," said Ursula Daniels, senior guidance counselor
at New Iberia Senior High. "In talking to the students so many of them are
not interested in going to war in Iraq. In 2003, we had approximately 11 to
13 students join the military services out of high school. So far this year
I have done an application for maybe three or four students to go into the
military."
Westgate High School's first graduating class was in 2002. Dianne Hartman,
senior guidance counselor at Westgate, said the school had approximately
five students enter the military then. "Over the last couple of years, we
have had approximately three to five students entering the military
services," Hartman said. "The numbers are very low for students entering
the military services from Westgate High School. At Westgate High School,
we have a certified nursing program and a planning tech program where kids
can receive a certification. The military is the last resort that most
seniors are looking at."
Luke Lucas, freshman guidance counselor at New Iberia Senior High, said as
students get closer to graduation the numbers will increase, because
students look for money to finance college.
"Some of the students just don't want to go to the military because of the
war in Iraq," Lucas said.
New Iberia Senior High has two students who already have signed up to go
into the Army once they complete high school.
"I signed up in the Army because I wanted to travel and receive some
college money. I got a signing bonus of $40,000 because I did good on my
ASVAB test," said Nathan Guilbeau, senior at New Iberia Senior High. "My
parents encouraged me, and I though it was really neat. Once I am completed
with the Army, I will then attend college."
Guilbeau is scheduled to leave for basic training June 28.
"I am backing him up 100 percent, and this is something Nathan wanted to
do. I respect his decision and wish him the best," Nathan's mother, Rebecca
Guilbeau, said.
Ashley Williams, a senior at NISH, said she has signed her contract to go
into the Army, but now she is having second thoughts.
"I signed the contract and everything but I am now thinking about not going
because I do not want to go to war," Williams said. "There are too many
people dying in Iraq. Most people end up going to basic training and then
wind up getting shipped to Iraq. I signed the contract because I was
looking at the traveling and the money, but now I am having second
thoughts. If I go I think my life is in danger."
Ashley said that although she is signed up and due to leave May 30, she's
weighing her options.
"My mom wants me to go because she thinks it is good for me, but I totally
disagree," she said.
Ashley's mother, Cynthia Williams, said she would like her daughter to
honor her commitment because the Army is an excellent career.
"I encouraged her to because that is something I wanted to do," her Cynthia
Williams said. "Whatever she decides to do I will back her up 100 percent."
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