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Ferre
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 Posted: Fri Apr 22, 2005 12:57 pm Post subject: Children Recruited in the USA |
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Children Recruited in the USA: ’Enlistment bonuses’ offered to 14 yr olds
In an effort to increase its ranks for coming wars, the U.S. military is recruiting - and paying - children as young as 14 years old for future combat duty.
By Tim Schmitt
Colin Hadley spends most of his days after school skateboarding or playing Halo II on his new X-Box with friends. He sleeps until noon or later on weekends and rarely, if ever, does any schoolwork outside the classroom, where he pulls down solid C’s and a few D’s - just enough to get by. He’s the typical 15-year-old American boy: cocksure in demeanor, certain the world revolves around him, and confident that life is going to serve him well.
And he’s the new "target of interest" for U.S. military recruiters who’ve begun signing up boys as young as 14 for military service, which they will be required to begin when they turn 18.
"It’s a sweet deal," says Hadley, who boasts that he bought his X-Box with the enlistment bonus he received after signing up last month. "I don’t have to do hardly anything for three years, but they’re paying me now."
Hadley’s windfall was made possible under the Pentagon’s "pre-enlistment program" that was quietly authorized last month in an effort to ensure the number of military troops available for combat remains steady for at least the next few years. The conditions of the program are simple. A young man who is at least 14 years old and has a parent’s permission can enlist in the U.S. military, but will not report to duty until he reaches the legal age. The future soldier agrees to remain "physically and mentally fit" and to undergo annual physical examinations at the Military Entrance and Processing Station (MEPS). In exchange, the government provides him a $10,000 sign-on bonus that is paid in yearly installments of $2,500 until the age of 18, at which time any remaining balance is given to the recruit.
And while waiting to report to duty at 18, the new recruits are paid a modest stipend and allowed access to funds granted veterans for education. Because combat duty is a requirement of enlistment, the program is currently open only to young men, and it has been authorized for only three years, so Congress will have to renew the program again in 2008.
"The program is still in the early stages, but we’re certain it will prove a valuable tool for the U.S. military while providing future soldiers with much-needed financial assistance so they can start planning for the future now," says Lt. James Pederson, a spokesman for the U.S. Pentagon’s Office of Recruitment and Retention.
With the war in Iraq still taking a toll, and potential conflicts on the horizon in Iran, North Korea, Syria, the Philippines and elsewhere, the U.S. military is faced with a shortage of manpower not seen in decades.
The Army National Guard met only 56 percent of its recruiting quota in January, and the Marine Corps fell short of its recruiting goal that month for the first time since 1995. The Army missed its February recruiting goal by 27 percent, and the numbers for March and April are not expected to improve. And though the Bush administration has explored the idea of re-instituting the draft, the idea has been met with such widespread resistance that doing so seems unlikely.
So the mighty U.S. military has been left with declining rolls during a time of war when the need for warm bodies is at a premium. The result has been a loosening of enlistment requirements and the offering of more incentives to fill the void.
"More and more of our troops are choosing to leave service when their enlistment period comes to an end, and the number of new recruits entering military service is at a 20-year low," says Pederson. "We’ve had to become more and more creative in our efforts to fill the ranks of departing soldiers, and that’s meant reaching out to new target groups and making them offers they simply can’t refuse."
Currently, the National Guard is offering enlistment bonuses of up to $15,000 for new members, who may also receive matching funds to be used as a down payment on a new home. In addition, the Army announced last week that it is raising the maximum age for new recruits by five years, up to 39. It has also increased by 33 percent the number of recruiters on the street and has developed a sales pitch to appeal to parents who otherwise might not approve of their child’s enrollment
"We’re going to appeal to the patriotism of parents," says Pederson. "Parents have to understand that their children are needed in a time of war and that sacrifices need to be made for the good of the nation."
Tom Hadley recognizes this need, and when he heard of the pre-enlistment program, convinced his son that it was in his best interest to sign up.
"There aren’t a lot of opportunities for poor or working class kids in this country right now, so this program is a blessing," says Tom. "Colin can spend the next couple years just being a kid and save a few bucks for school, and after his four years of military service he’ll come out ahead. I’m proud of my son for making such a wise decision and standing up for his country."
Carla Bloomer agrees with Tom that poor children have few options, but rankles at the suggestion that selling military service to a child is an answer to the problem. And she didn’t even know this was an issue until she learned a recruiter had talked to her 14-year-old son and convinced him to sign up.
More- http://bellaciao.org/en/article.php3?id_article=5786
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aeroplane
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 2:58 pm Post subject: |
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"We’re going to appeal to the patriotism of parents," says Pederson. "Parents have to understand that their children are needed in a time of war and that sacrifices need to be made for the good of the nation."
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"There aren’t a lot of opportunities for poor or working class kids in this country right now, so this program is a blessing," says Tom. "Colin can spend the next couple years just being a kid and save a few bucks for school, and after his four years of military service he’ll come out ahead. I’m proud of my son for making such a wise decision and standing up for his country."
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My God. These people need to realize that once they lose a child to Bush's illegal wars, that child is gone forever. For what?!! They are making the poor deseperate enough to sell their children to the military and to do so with a clear conscience.
It's like the children are being offered up as human sacrifices to the warring god of capitalism.
Debtor's Prison is now open for business. Please don't forget to bring your children when you come to visit. Enjoy your stay.
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:05 pm Post subject: |
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I got friends who have fought in Iraq. All of them younger than me by a good portion.
Good dudes, all of them. These kids are scared and they do things like this due to lack of traning.
Dont blame the soldiers for what they do.
WRONG THREAD: Sorry. you may all punish me accordingly now.
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Rev.Holden Greene
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:08 pm Post subject: |
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disgusting i cant believe they are doing this.
just imagine being a parent trying to tell your child who barely understands the concept of war they cant have this "free" money.
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:11 pm Post subject: |
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My kid is six.
God, I hope he doesnt have to fight. Ive done enough of that for both of us.
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Ferre
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:14 pm Post subject: |
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My kids may have to fight against Americans one day to protect our freedom. 
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:17 pm Post subject: |
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| Ferre wrote: |
| My kids may have to fight against Americans one day to protect our freedom. |
well then, i would encourage him to take up arms and kick some ass.
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject: |
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I actually meant my kid fighting agaisnt our tyranny.
Damn Ferre, I hope our kids dont have to fight each other one day. that would be a serious backwards step
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Rev.Holden Greene
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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i would be hard pressed to let my child fight in a war of national magnatude.
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:22 pm Post subject: |
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I cant imagine my son, Angel, killing anyone. Especially the kids of my brothers or sisters.
wow. Reality check.
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:25 pm Post subject: |
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| Rev.Holden Greene wrote: |
| i would be hard pressed to let my child fight in a war of national magnatude. |
Our kids must watch fight club and learn from tyler.
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Ferre
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:27 pm Post subject: |
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I hope so too. Fact is that the US have approved a special presidential act that is designed specially to invade the Netherlands in case Americans would be put on trial in International Court which is located in The Hague.
US congressmen know this act as "the Hague invasion act".
This act is an act of international terrorism according to international law and a direct military treath to my country. (It's: Don't procecute us in international court..or else!)
See, the first step in going to war with us is allready set by the Bush administration. As usual, they are the ones who start the agression.
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zero
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:38 pm Post subject: |
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| Ferre wrote: |
I hope so too. Fact is that the US have approved a special presidential act that is designed specially to invade the Netherlands in case Americans would be put on trial in International Court which is located in The Hague.
US congressmen know this act as "the Hague invasion act".
This act is an act of international terrorism according to international law and a direct military treath to my country. (It's: Don't procecute us in international court..or else!)
See, the first step in going to war with us is allready set by the Bush administration. As usual, they are the ones who start the agression. |
Well, by the time Angel is old enough to do some damage, Bush wont be the man anymore.
Besides, Ill kick the shit out of him if he decides to go in the military. He will be either a great writer or a dope rapper. Or a doctor. Or something good. Maybe a guitar player?
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Mystic Power
admin THC-Ministry YahooGroup
Joined: 23 Aug 2004
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:41 pm Post subject: |
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(Reuters) San Antonio.
Panic amid unconfirmed reports that three drunk Dutchmen crashed a hi-jacked airliner into the Alamo, today....
Just the latest terrorist attempt to come out of this rogue nation.
Republican Congressman Orrin Hatch remarked, "We'll have to weigh our options carefully. Looks like it's time we consider liberating the Dutch people from under the tyranical jack-boot of Jan Peter Balkenende. The world will be a better place."
Pentagon reports that G.I.'s are already stocking up on rolling papers and glass pipes.
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Mystic Power
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| Posted: Sun Apr 24, 2005 3:48 pm Post subject: |
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What would be a pithy name for this latest American version of Hitler Youth...?
BUSH'S LI'L BUCKAROO'S....?
Ben
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