Why do military recruiters prey on those in rural towns and poorer areas?

Question

I don't see them in upscale areas trying to get the youth to enlist.

dlgfdg: What total and complete BS. "Higher Education", when for a very long time, the Navy and Marines capped Tuition assistances at 12 units per fiscal year and $4800 cap. They increased it in the last year. But, that is a total LIE the military purports about 100% tuition, it's true if you are going to take five or six years to complete an AA/AS/AAS degree.

Answer 1

because people in upscale areas have no need or desire to join the military. and the military knows that. for some reason it seems that people in poorer areas are more patriotic and more willing to die for their country than rich people. sad but mostly true.

Answer 2

Recruiters are sent where the Military sends them. The armed forces know they are more likely to entice the middle and lower classes to enlist. Jobs are difficult to come by now and if you do have a job the pay scale is low. A person cannot alone live on the small wages paid. A good many who enlist see the opportunity to get a good education, half paid for by the veterans affairs. It is a good thing.
I know the majority don't go to college after their stint in the military, Especially the Marines and Army.
Another thing, a good portion of the rural communities teach their young the value of freedom. The larger inner cities do not so much.
Most of the Officers come from the upscale, as you call it, communities. Parents can afford to send sons and daughters to college.
The middle and lower class have always supplied the troops to the most part.
The Hisemiester

Answer 3

I think the answer is pretty obvious

why would an upscale kid need to join the military

80% of military members will tell you they joined so they would get money for college, upscale kids don't have this problem.

In reality I'd say 90% of military members join because they realize they don't have much going for them, and it's a respectable way to make a career.

Answer 4

While I believe I understand the direction of your Q I question your use of the term "prey" and would offer concentrate. In truth I do see recruiters on college campuses and in upscale malls from time to time. I feel the military offers many things to ppl at all levels of life be they social, ethnic, economic, educational or general life experiences, whatever. Some ppl just don't have all that many oportunities to excell while others have too many. And possibly -just possibly- neither feels they have a clear choice.

Answer 5

I was a Marine recruiter and I was stationed in New York City. They have recruiters in any city that has a population of 30,000 or more. Also, they travel to smaller towns. And we never go from door to door as you suggest. We do go to schools because all kids don't want to go to college and the military is a good place to get a free higher education. Also, a good buddy of mine recruited in Hollywood and you would be suprised at how many young men join the service from wealthy araes.

Answer 6

That is such a myth. As a Recruiter, I do not target low income people. I have many people who are from afluent families who join.

I actually enlist more middle class because the low income usually are disqualified from serving due to numerous law violations.

Answer 7

The youths in those areas are more willing to do anything (even kill) and it's more easier to recruite them since opportunity does not knock too often. Desperation can also play a factor.

Answer 8

Why don't you leave the poor areas and come to the upscale areas and find out.

Answer 9

Who is more likely to want to join: A kid stuck out in the middle of nowhere who wants to get away. Or a Wall Street millionaire?

Answer 10

I don't know where you live but we have a prep school in the area & recrutier are there all the time.The recruters dont really need to go to the school that much anymore because the recruts are coming to them.