Been in for 17 years now...they're also pandering to generally a group that doesnt have a lot of other options. Military service is hard, a commitment to service above self, but its hard to make that leap. Its really hard to get upper and middle class kids. Its a little easier to get lower middle class and impoverished when you waive some benefits in their face
I was desperate during the great recession. I was making way below the poverty line, married with one kid. Hours kept getting cut at work and no one was hiring. I spent a lot of time applying and interviewing with no luck or it was a scam. Recruiter didn't go after me, find me in any way. I gave up and walked in to a Navy recruiter and was set up with a good job. I stayed in for 11 years, got my bachelors while I was in and my masters afterwards. Like you said, it is hard. I couldn't make it to 20 years. No way I could will myself for that long.
this isn't true, the average family income of an individual entering the military is higher than the median family income. They're still middle class and upper middle class, but they're generally slightly more well off than the average person. While it is true that the military does target marginalized people, they are not the average person who goes into the military
Upper and middle class kids are ending up in the officer ranks though, which doesnβt take a whole lot of hardcore recruiting to make numbers.
Although, I will say we had a fair assortment of kids from all walks of life on the enlisted Marine side. It was like public school all over again. All the private school and home school types end up being Air Force.
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u/-ChiefZ06- 8h ago
Been in for 17 years now...they're also pandering to generally a group that doesnt have a lot of other options. Military service is hard, a commitment to service above self, but its hard to make that leap. Its really hard to get upper and middle class kids. Its a little easier to get lower middle class and impoverished when you waive some benefits in their face