Creative Recruiting Methods

[stephinrome]

Came across these gems while putting together our weekly bulletin. Apologies if they've been posted here before but thought it would be nice to see them all together:

New Jersey Guard turns to educators to help with recruitment
By CHRIS NEWMARKER
Associated Press Writer
June 10, 2006, 9:52 AM EDT

FORT DIX, N.J. -- They ride Black Hawk helicopters, fire mock assault rifles in combat simulators and can learn what it's like to drive a Humvee. Some are so excited they want pictures of themselves holding guns.

But these enthusiasts aren't about to join the military. They're principals, teachers, coaches and mentors _ people who New Jersey military recruiters believe hold the key to getting more high school students interested in the armed forces.

Full story: http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/ny-bc-nj--recruitingeducato0610jun10,0,444099.story

Guard wall at high school within rules, MG officials say
By Karyn Saemann
Correspondent for The Capital Times
June 6, 2006

MONONA - Monona Grove officials insist no district policy was broken and no follow-up complaints have come from district residents in the five days since a veterans group lashed out against the use of an Army National Guard climbing wall by high school gym classes.

Town of Windsor resident Will Williams, a Vietnam veteran and member of the anti-war group Veterans for Peace, said a Monona Grove High School student called him at home Thursday to let him know the climbing wall had been set up. Its use that day by students was being supervised, Williams was told, by gym teachers and camouflage-clad National Guard members.

Full story: http://www.madison.com/tct/news/index.php?ntid=86560&ntpid=0

Military drives to enlist at NASCAR venues
By Seth Livingstone, USA TODAY
May 24, 2006

The imposing Super Cobra and Huey helicopters are only part of race weekend attractions at the Marines interactive exhibit on the midway at Richmond International Raceway.

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"It kind of surprises me. I didn't know the Marines would be out here," says Johnson, regaining her breath. "I figured there'd just be race cars, drivers — that kind of stuff. But think of the guys who come here — young guys that might not have any idea what they want to do in life. It's definitely a good crowd of people for the military to be promoting to."

That's what the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard think, too.

It's why Robert Van Antwerp, commanding general of the Accessions Command (in charge of enlisted recruiting, ROTC and initial military training), says the Army budgets about $17 million to grace the hood of Joe Nemechek's Monte Carlo and pay for the other initiatives involved in supporting a Nextel Cup sponsorship.

Full story: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2006-05-24-military-sw-cover_x.htm

Steph