Cinco de Mayo: Army Edition
CLICK TO WATCH CLIP.
So, this includes additional footage from the Cinco de Mayo coverage for Rocketboom
While I was at the festival I stumbled across an Army recruiting table, which was kind of smack-dab in the middle of this celebration. Looking back I wish I would have asked more questions. There were a couple of sides battling it out: 1. The girl who saw people being emotionally manipulated into joining the army. 2. The girl who came from an army family and saw the soldiers as familiar and just doing their job. 3. The girl who knew this was the system and wondered if there really was anything people could do to change it. 4. The girl who saw too many sides to the equation.
In any case, it affected me for a myriad of reasons. One reason brought me back to an interview I had with my father's best friend, who was a Sniper in Vietnam. He had agreed to share his story and shortly I'll present it to you. I think it's important to keep these kind of conversations going in order to better understand one another.
I'll be posting them soon...
14 Comments:
this does bugs me. No, this doesn't happen everywhere, I am living in West Michigan, the wonderful world of Dutchville (dont get me wrong, I am of Dutch descent, but hey sometimes it is a bit overwhelming)and I never see army recruiting tables. I feel like the army is saying "hey look there's a whole bunch of minorities, they'll join the army...they have no other future" it is insulting and frustrating because the impact of the war is not being felt by the people in power, it is a weight that is being put on the shoulders of the less-fortunate and the non-white groups of our countries. No Good! good video, I am excited to see the next.
By Josh Leo, at 10:12 AM
Zadi, I love how your blog alternates from fun, to serious, to experimental, to touching. I never know what to expect, and I'm always impressed.
This is also very timely to me, as I have been working on, and spoken with some others, about putting together a videoblog training workshop targetted at Vets returning from the war who need an outlet of expression. It's similar to a creative writing workshop that is already happening and funded by the NEA.
Anyhow, I should have a proposal ready soon and will share it with the videoblog list. It's meant to be non-political, but I feel that the more true stories we can get out there to counter the hummer, rock climbing wall, and camo-tough guys propaganda.
By nathan, at 11:36 AM
Zadi, I too am impressed by the diversity of your videoblog. This was a great entry, it opens up to discussion and reflection - I'm very excited to see the follow-up.
By kristina, at 12:32 PM
Wow, That was an amazing post. My first introduction to your vlog was Grover, and now this. You certainly have the ability to move people and communicate very effectively. I had just stumbled upon a video earlier today that directly pertains to this post. I watched it without blinking, and when I was through, I lamented for a moment, and then I deleted it. When I saw your video it hit me in an most unexpected way. I was compelled to make a post on my on blog. I'm not sure where it's going, but in in many ways this is exactly why I started posting videos on my blog in the first place. You can check it out at the following url. I hope it adds some value to the conversation.
http://mmeiser.com/blog/2005/05/on-armed-forces-recruiting-practices.html
By Michael Meiser, at 9:22 PM
Zadi, this is good stuff, thanks. If we don't take a look at these things and talk about them, then things will only get worse. The recruiters are everywhere, at every campus and youth event. VH1 / MTV plays an ad for the army every 15 minutes or so. Schools are desperately underfunded, yet there's always a career in the military. I look forward to seeing the interview with your father's friend.
By R, at 11:22 PM
First time visiting (by way of blogging.la). I agree, I think I would have been weirded out too to find military recruiters at a festival commemorating a Mexican holiday. However, by now I'm used to them -- the recruiters -- targetting brown men.
By cindylu, at 11:57 PM
Lots of complex questions and emotions. I could see how hard you were thinking and feeling underneath the words you were speaking. Peace from NYC.
By jonny goldstein, at 8:49 PM
.. over here you see army recruiting/advertising stands popping up everywhere..and i always feel weird when i see them... but i'd agree with josh.. they are usually targeting specific minorities/age groups that are also simultaneously not encouraged(and sometimes actively dissuaded) to take up postions of actual authority.
d
(p.s. thanks for the 'larger canvas' input... i'm a thinkin!)
By duncan, at 2:57 PM
In reading your blog, you stated that you did not have hard numbers to back up your claim that the Army is made up of mostly minorities. As a 20 veteran, and a former Army recruiter, I can tell you that the Army is a pretty close reflection to the USA population as far as percentages go. The largest percent of soldiers are actually white. And, the average household income of a recruit is NOT lower to mid-income range. You are more than welcome to use the Freedom of Information Act to obtain this information. It is tracked daily, honestly. We do not want to over or under represent any population. As a former recruiter, I can honestly say that I would been against setting up a display at the festival. Unfortunately, that decision comes from higher up. Recruiters must go where they are told. After all, they are soldiers, too. As for the remarks about targeting men (and women for that matter) of color, the Army targets all Americans. I know there has been a lot going on during the war, however, it is a small percentage of recruiters who are breaking the rules. As with all organizations, soldiers come from all walks of life. There are systems in place to find and remove the recruiters who do wrong. Unlike the churches and police departments, we don't move them so they can do the same things in other places. Most are sent back to their original jobs. The really bad ones, like the ones in Colorado, could be discharged. I for one am proud to have served for 20 years. Additionally, I assisted hundreds of young men and women to enlist in the US Army, and not one time did I ever break the rules. Keep this in mind, most soldiers, and I mean most, do not want someone who is unfit or not up to par to enlist. That soldier could one day serve with them. And, in a time of war, that soldier could get them and others killed. It's like shooting yourself in the foot. Having said that, I am very impressed with your site. Freedom of speech is not a luxury. IT IS YOUR RIGHT!!!
By Drew, at 6:41 PM
Drew, thanks for posting. You're stating a lot of what I was conflicted about. I know that soldiers are part of a system and that all of this is much more complicated. My father served for many, many years. It's one of the reasons I posted this video - because I don't know the answers. But I do know I would like to have a conversation about it.
You make a great point about soldiers not wanting someone who is not up to par to enlist. But I'm also curious to know if the rules change when there is a shortage in enrollment. Is there a quota to fill? Are requirements lowered? Is there a better way? I don't know. Maybe you can help answer some of those questions.
Thanks for commenting.
By Zadi, at 7:32 PM
Zadi,
the requirements for enlistment (the minimum requirements) are set forth by Congress. The US has an Army that, for the most part uses computers for every single job. This includes Infantry. The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) Test guages an applicants current skill sets in 10 different areas as well as his or her aptitude to learn more in those fields. If the individual does not make the minimum score in an area, no jobs related to that area or field can be offered. As far as general qualifications, the individual must also score at least 31 percentile on the test (ovewrall score). This means, and I do not want to insult anyone's intelligence, just want to clarify, you must score at least better than 31% of the average score. This is based on the fact that the ASVAB is a normed test. It is taken by many people, and averages are taken from it. It is much like the ACT. Also, an individual must have as a minimum, a GED. However, some jobs require a high school diplomas. Some require credentials(doctors, lawyers, etc.) There is a mandate to have at least (currently)about 80% high school diploma graduates, and at least 65% must achieve a score of at least 50% on the ASVAB. During a time of "declared" war, Congress can lower the score to 10. That has not happened since Vietnam. According to the President, we are no longer at war. The war ended over a year ago. At any rate, it is a play on words. Pres. Bush would need Congress to declare war again to lower the score. Not a chance. Law violations and health history play a major role in qualifications as well.
I have no doubt it is tough to recruit these days. Like I said earlier, I served 20 years in the Army. I loved it, I hated it. Depends on where I was and what I was doing.
This may sound funny, but I, the son of a Korean War Navy Veteran, nephew of Army Veterans, brother and cousin to many veterans (family tradition) do not wish to see any of my 3 children serve as long as the current world situation is what it is. My oldest son is 17 and will be a senior in high school in a few months. I have always told him to enlist to receive money for college. That is no longer the case. I have mixed emotions on the subject. But, for now, I feel that I served 5 years for myself and 5 years for each of my children. My family tradition of service to country is currently on hold.
I am not saying it is all bad. But, it has been better.
On behalf of all honest recruiters, I will say this; "what is currently happening with a few bad recruiters does not sit well with us". They will get what they deserve. Army recruiters are suppose to serve as role models. Bottom line. Every person that ever joined the Army under my assistance wanted to join to have what I had, to be what I was...a sucessful soldier. Not a liar. Not a cheat.
I am glad they got caught. I hope they all do. Then, maybe we can get back to being an institution that the public can trust with it's sons and daughters.
Also, I work with the recruiting command still, so I have insight on what is going on. I just can't give you figures without a formal request. That is why I mentioned the Freedom of Information Act.
Ooops! Almost missed a few questions.
Yes, there is a quota to fill. However, it is an Army goal. Recruiters are not on quota. They used to be. Now, they are suppose to do their best. Stress is not the answer, and putting enlistment requirements on them was extremely stressful. Ironically, we just changed that to make sure the recruiters would stay honest and not be tempted to bend or break the rules. Hopefully, it will gain momentum and take effect.
As far as a better way, I will tell you what I tell everyone.....If it is not in the written contract, it does not exist. Also, we (the Army) encourage the applicants to have a family member or loved on with them when they complete a contract. Or, at least talk it over on the phone. The guidance counselors are there to assist. They don't mind if you bring someone or call someone for advice. The way they see it, if you are not happy, then a problem is being created that will eventually have to be addressed.
Sorry for the long blog. Just trying to answer your questions and clear up a few things.
Feel free to address questions in the future. I will try to keep my heart off my sleeve. :)
Keep up the good work.
Drew
By trudrew, at 5:59 PM
Good convo! Finally some convo in the vlogosphere. yea!!!
I feel the same way Zadi. I want to know and glad you are asking the questions.
By Aaron Flores, at 12:55 AM
ABC TV News reported tonight that the Bush administration is using the "No Child Left Behind" act to obtain student records for recruiting purposes. Now I know why they call it that.
My wife tells me that they have already approached her 17 year old son.
My old college roommate and I returned to UC Santa Barbara last week and the amount of ROTC recruiting was substantially greater than the time when I was a student AND the time I was an instructor on the campus (all told this covers about the years 1975-1992).
By Markus Sandy, at 6:05 PM
Wow, the conversation here is almost as good as your content! Keep up the good work. -bre
By bre, at 3:55 PM
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