Economy Down, Military Rolls Up

Local military recruiters say enrollment is up as more people seek steady income.

The sour economy and rising unemployment rate are sending more people to their local military recruitment office.   The prospects of going to war in Iraq or Afghanistan isn't even stopping many men and women.

"There's no way to sugarcoat it: We're a nation at war," Lt. Col. Michael Bennett told the Washington Post.  He commands the Maryland Army National Guard's recruiting battalion. "But we offer a stability of income that a lot of employers can't guarantee right now."

Military officials say they're also benefiting from better news out of Iraq and the election of Barack Obama to the White House.  The President-elect has pledged to withdraw troops from Iraq.

The Army recently reported that it had recruited more than 80,000 soldiers over the past fiscal year.  That's the third year in a row it's met recruitment goals.   Meanwhile, America's unemployment rate has grown from 4.8 to 6.5 percent in the past 12 months.

You can read the entire Post article HERE.

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