COUNTERING MILITARY RECRUITMENT
Articles: Military Recruiting: General
Pentagon Considers Video Taping Military Recruiters
Leisa Zigman, WZZM Local
March 19, 2007
KSDK - The pentagon is considering several steps to deal with a rise inmisconduct allegations against military recruiters in St. Louis and across
the nation.
In February, an I-Team hidden camera investigation revealed local military
recruiters using half-truths, exaggerations, and sexual innuendos to lure
potential recruits.
According documents obtained by the Boston Globe, the military is
considering installing video surveillance cameras in recruiting stations,
offering potential recruits applicant rights cards, spelling out what a
recruiter can and cannot do to get them to enlist and setting up a hotline
to report violations.
Last month, we sent undercover KSDK production assistants into recruiting
stations throughout St. Louis.
One production assistant, who we'll call "Erica", is fearful she could be
targeted because of her work on our report. We agreed to conceal her identity.
"Erica" explained, "From the moment I walked in there, it felt like instead
of recruiting me, he was hitting on me."
"Erica": So is it as bad as everybody says it is?
Recruiter: No!
"Erica": Really?
Recruiter: Let me show you, because I don't want you to think I'm lying.
One recruiter implied he was naked in one of his Iraq photos. Senator
Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri) and U.S Representative Todd Akin (R-Missouri)
were appalled by his conduct.
Recruiter: This is my king of Iraq photo. I ain't got nothing on but my
hat. I'm standing over there looking over there at the horizon.
Recruiter: Got a little Pam Anderson. You know, you need a little Pam in
your life.
"Erica": Oh my gosh.
Recruiter:Hey, everybody don't look like you, you need a little Pam.
Congressman Todd Akin said, "Not exactly a poster boy of recruiting."
Some recruiters told our production assistant north St. Louis County was
more dangerous than Iraq.
"Erica" said," He was a person of authority, he had his uniform on, I could
take what he was taking to complete heart, he showed me pictures having fun
on the beach, I think it was Kuwait, if I was younger and more naive I'd
think this wasn't so bad."
When Senator McCaskill found out about our investigation, she grilled
General George Casey about it at his confirmation hearings.
Senator McCaskill said, "It's really important you get a handle on what is
being said in these recruitment appointments that there aren't any young
men and women being misled...."
General George Casey replied, "The Army has quality control issues to make
sure people don't overstep their bounds as you suggest in St. Louis."
Colonel Junio-Omaru Barber is the Army recruiting commander for Missouri
and Southern Illinois.
After learning about the I-Team's findings, he ordered retraining of all
180 recruiters under his command.
As for "Erica", she believes video surveillance is a good idea.
"Erica" said, "They are sexually harassing or making sexual innuendos, I
think that would put a complete stop to that. I think they would treat the
females more professionally, definitely."
Last week, the head of the nation's Army Recruiting Command issued a new
directive that prohibits recruiters from being alone with a potential
applicant of the opposite sex. All military branches may soon follow suit.
This archive consists of a topically organized selection of
articles culled by members of the Counter-Recruitment List Serve from printed
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material relevant to the work of