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COMMITTEE for
COUNTERING MILITARY RECRUITMENT

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Articles: Military Recruiting: Personnel Crunch

Hey, kid ... want 1,000 bucks just to train?

MEGAN BRODERICK, Republican-American

November 26, 2007

WATERBURY - For high school seniors mulling whether to join the
military after graduation, U.S. Army recruiters hope a new incentive
tip the decision in their direction.

In high schools across the country, Army recruiters started in
October offering high school seniors who enlist before graduating
$1,000 per month for each month between enlistment and graduation,
and a $1,000 bonus for graduating.

They receive the money through the Future Soldier Training Program,
which prepares new recruits with physical training and classes before
they leave for boot camp.

The new incentive, which the recruits receive in a lump sum after
completing boot camp, reflects a renewed emphasis on recruiting high
school seniors, said Douglas Smith, spokesman for U.S. Army
Recruiting Command based in Fort Knox, Ky.

"We've put more emphasis on older recruits over the past few years
because we've been looking for people who can ship within 30 days. A
high school senior is not going to fill that need," he said. "But as
we pay attention to the high school seniors, we want to ensure that
when they do enlist, that we encourage them to maintain that
commitment they've made and reward them."

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