I'm so glad I'm 19 now! Phew!

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 10:50am

From The Washington Post:

"The Defense Department began working yesterday with a private marketing firm to create a database of high school students ages 16 to 18 and all college students to help the military identify potential recruits in a time of dwindling enlistment in some branches."

Oh and I am so glad about the Don't Ask Don't Tell thing. I've already told and told and told and told.
It's feeling drafty in here, shut the window!

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:02am

Sweet 19 and never been--well, never been...

Well, HARDLY ever been...

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:13am

I'm sure they're just centralizing all that info for no reason.

[robbiej]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:16am

An office that looks efficient is efficient...as Mr. Hart says.

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:23am

Why did they have to hire a marketing firm? That just seems so civilian. And is this a list of ALL students at ALL schools or just a select (inner city/non-private) schools?

[JohnPopa]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:37am

What the endless mailers and phone calls for the entirety of my high school career isn't good enough anymore?

[PalJoey]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:37am

Sueleen--why have you suddenly become Mary_Ethel?

[SueleenGay]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 11:48am

It is an "OMAGE" to a recently departed/renamed poster.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 12:10pm

That ohmage is tres fay.

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:32pm

Isn't that already called "Selective Service"???

[Plum]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:34pm

*shrug* I got recruiting calls when I was in high school. Admittedly, the military wasn't quite as desperate for personnel then, but I'm not seeing what the big deal is- I thought they got my phone number and address the way marketers do anyway.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:40pm

Because they're probably getting ready to institute compulsory service is why.

[Plum]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:43pm

Ah, I see. I actually doubt that's the case- at least, not any time soon- because even the military itself, short-staffed though it may be, doesn't want it. If it does happen, I sincerely hope they don't make exceptions for women or college students. And also that my dad won't make good on his threat to send me to Israel so I can serve in their military instead.

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:52pm

How old are you, Plum?

[Plum]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 2:56pm

20. I know quite well I'd be subject to the draft if it happens. But you know what? My entire family was subject to a draft, and a lot of our old friends. My parents met in the Army. I realize my perspective is odd, but coming from Israel a universal draft just doesn't seem that outlandish.

Though it is kind of weird considering that the other two democratic nations with such a draft- Israel and South Korea- are tiny and have nasty enemies right next door. The U.S. doesn't exactly fit that description. I guess it has to be filed under "victim of phenomenally stupid leadership."

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 3:01pm

C_O, Selective Service only includes boys.

Posted: 6/23/05 at 4:04pm

okay.

*checks*

I'm covered...

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 5:18pm

This is the one pitfall of women's lib. Argh...

[Plum]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 5:21pm

If it makes you feel any better, women are not treated exactly like men in the military. I don't remember exactly how it works, but I'm pretty sure women aren't allowed to be put in front-line units. Of course, in a war like Iraq, it definitely isn't just the front-line units getting hit because there are no front lines. Nevertheless, in the case of a universal draft, you could be put in a support unit or not sent to Iraq or Afghanistan at all.

Admittedly, this is the Israeli example, but only some of the women I know went into what could be considered dangerous areas, like border control and military police. I also know a military meteorologist, librarian, dispatcher, drill sargeant, and computer programmers. Updated On: 6/23/05 at 05:21 PM

[Rose_MacShane]

Posted: 6/23/05 at 5:33pm

Army librarian...now that's a job I could do...or drill sergeant. I'm more than qualified to yell at people all day.