| Abstrakt: |
The Army is launching a recruiting drive in cities, including Washington, D.C., to address a recruiting slump. Army Sgt. Mena Ibrahim, a recruiter, has found that potential recruits are not concerned about the Army being "woke" or overly liberal, but rather worry about discrimination, dying in combat, and committing years of their lives. The Army is hoping to recruit 65,000 new soldiers this year, but Army Secretary Christine Wormuth admits they are likely to fall short of that goal. The top barriers to recruitment include fear of death, post-traumatic stress, and distance from friends and family. Concerns about "woke-ism" ranked much lower. Ibrahim believes that diversity is the military's strongest weapon and works to convince recruits that they won't face discrimination. Urban environments present unique challenges, such as attracting wealthy individuals or helping poor residents qualify for service. The Army is expanding courses to boost recruits' test and physical scores. The legalization of marijuana in D.C. is also a problem, as recruits must battle social influences to stop smoking. However, urban environments offer advantages, such as opportunities to meet the public at events. The biggest incentive to join the Army is the chance to make money and relieve financial problems. Army bonuses and the student loan repayment program are attractive to recruits. [Extracted from the article] |
