Brandon Twp.? Robert Snelling, 19, has been interested in joining the military since he was about 8-years-old.
He says he’s always been patriotic and wants to fight for his country. But one of the main reasons Snelling, a Brandon High School senior, is interested in joining the Army is because of licensing and trading skills he can receive.
‘School is not for me,? says Snelling, who is interested in learning about heavy equipment operations and construction. ‘If I can do four years after high school, I can learn a trade and get paid for it. If I like it I can stay in and if I don’t, I’ll leave after four years and have the skill, all my licenses and get a job.?
The benefit of learning a skilled trade is a major selling-point for recruiters in recent years and an even more important incentive at a time when recruitment numbers are down for many as thousands of U.S. soldiers continue to be deployed to Iraq, with hundreds wounded or dying there.
Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Steven Mrozek has been serving for 16 years, as a recruiter for more than five years. He recalls that when he enlisted there were no incentives and bonuses were miniscule. He joined out of a sense of duty and wanting to do something for his country, but he says most people aren’t enlisting for patriotic reasons anymore.
‘The vast majority enlist for financial incentives,? said Mrozek. ‘and that’s fine.?
Mrozek has been able to meet his goal of 24 new recruits per year, but said overall, all branches of the military are having a difficult time. Because of this, the Army National Guard recently changed the age requirements to join. Previously, recruits had to be 36 or younger to join. Now, they can be up to 40 years of age.
But the focus is still on young recruits. Mrozek is in Brandon High School once a month on a Thursday at a table set up in the cafeteria for an hour and a half during lunch. Army, Navy, Marines and Air Force recruiters are also able to come in once a month. They choose different weeks so they don’t compete against one another, meaning a recruiter can be at BHS every week.
Jim Whitbread, a counselor at Brandon, said the military recruiters are treated the same as college recruiters, although most colleges choose to visit only once a year.
‘It’s a career option for kids,? says Whitbread. ‘The kids like them and like to talk and find out what’s available.?
Recruiters have also come to football games, plays, and other school-sponsored events such as Honors Night, but Whitbread says it is a controlled situation, there is no coercion and the kids must first approach the recruiter.
‘They want the kids to see them and be visible,? Whitbread said, adding that BHS does not have a large percentage of kids in the service.
Mrozek, a father of two, said he does not pressure kids? if they needed to be forced, he wouldn’t want them anyway.
‘If they don’t want the money, the job opportunity, their college paid for, OK,? he said. ‘Most people think of recruiters as shifty people. But I have integrity and a sense of duty to country. I give information and guidance through the process. Because ultimately, they are volunteering.?
Snelling has talked to Navy and Army recruiters at Brandon a few times, but said he will base his decision on whether to join on information from his uncle, who has been in the Army for 18 years. Snelling plans to spend a week on base with him this summer in South Carolina to see if he likes it.
‘I’ll talk to my uncle,? Snelling said. ‘If he says I’ll be flown over there to Iraq right after boot camp, I probably won’t join right away. I’d like to learn the skilled trade and get my licensing before I see combat. What will make my decision is when I realize I can’t live off $6 an hour working at McDonald’s.?