Is this Army Recruiter telling the truth?

I am a recruiter and have been for two years. In that time I have done my best to accomplish my monthly mission. Like most recruiters I continually try to find ways to depict the Army in a positive light to help me put in those two to three people Recruiting Command demands each month. Recently, I had the idea of buying a subscription to the Army Times and putting it in the office so prospects, applicants and their families can read it. I thought it would reinforce my "sales presentation" and aid me in getting the commitment to enlist. However, what I found out id the Army Times isn't a good sales tool. Don't misunderstand me. I like the job the staff at the Army Times does reporting the "real" Army. The problem is what the real Army has seemed to become. Allow me to give some contrasts. I tell prospects about the great pay and benefits. Benefits such as free medical and dental care for themselves and Tricare for their families. They read in the Army Times about soldiers and former soldiers suffering from Gulf War illnesses and being denied treatment, about poor treatment, poor facilities and how Tricare is broken. I tell them that joining the Army doesn't mean they can't go to college; the Army will pay 75 percent of their tuition for them to attend. They read about back-to-back deployments to places most of them have never heard of, and how the deployments are putting a strain on marriages -- Dad and Mom missing birthdays and anniversaries for years in a row, and let's not forget the all-too-common "soldiers killed." I tell them about the great standard of living in the Army: free housing. The paper reports the sorry state of housing at Fort Hood, Texas, the long waiting lists and that while you wait you can stay in high-crime areas around Fort Hood. This point has a dual contrast. I also boast about Fort Hood being the first digitized division in the Army, home of Force XXI. Does that make sense to anyone? I boast of the upcoming pay raises. They read how the officer corps will be the biggest beneficiaries of the pay raises and how we have a great number of soldiers on public assistance. I have only a year left before returning to the field and I can only say it can't come soon enough. I will continue to search for "mission box" each month and hope I can add to the success I have already enjoyed. To the Army Times, I say keep up the good work. I will continue to subscribe; I'll just keep it at home. Sgt. First Class Tom Lowe Elizabeth City, NC
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Tom, When a person walks into a recruiters office, they are seriously considering joining. YOU did not go out on the street and drag them in there. No one threatened them with a draft. They came in of their own free will and under their own power. If they are so dumb they have not read the papers and know there is a war going on, are they really the kind of person you want to recruit? Tell them that historically, military members have been screwed but things are getting better. Concurrent receipt for example. Tell them how many injuried troops who could get a medical separation are asking to stay in so they can be with their buddies. Tell them it is going to be the hardest job they ever did and once they served, everything else is going to seem like a cake walk. Be honest, point out the bad stuff, then tell them the good that comes of it. The feeling of pride in self and service is worth all the crap that comes with it.
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