These States Have The Highest Representation In The US Military

Business Insider ^ | 07/16/2014 | JEREMY BENDER, ANDY KIERSZ AND ARMIN ROSEN

[SeekAndFind]

The U.S. military does not fully reflect the demography of the United States, at least not in terms of the places American service members hail from.

According to data from the Census Bureau's 2013 population estimates and the Department of Defense, young adults from some states are more likely to enlist in the military. As the above map demonstrates people between the ages of 18 and 24 from Florida, Georgia, or Maine, are more likely to join the armed forces than their counterparts in lower enlistment-rate states like North Dakota or Utah.

These differences exist at the regional level as well. In 2013, 43.5% of all military recruits came from the "South Region" of the U.S. despite it having only 36.4% of the country's 18-24 year-old civilian population.

[latina4dubya]

surprised North Carolina isn’t darker...

[Night Hides Not]

surprised North Carolina isn’t darker...

That sounds a bit racist to me! lol

[Vigilanteman]

The age 18-24 qualifier is useful for counting new recruits, much less so for counting actual people in the military. When I was a pup growing up in North Dakota, the state would have been a lot darker.

Now? It is far more attractive to get a high paying job on an oil field than serve in a war under CIC BO which we are guaranteed not to win.

[Paine in the Neck]

As the above map demonstrates people between the ages of 18 and 24 from Florida, Georgia, or Maine, are more likely to join the armed forces than their counterparts in lower enlistment-rate states like North Dakota or Utah.

Deep thinking, there. People from states with higher enlistment rates are more likely to join the military than are those from states with lower enlistment rates. This is worthy of an article? And takes two authors to produce?

[MIchaelTArchangel]

Before you think that North Carolina isn’t darker, read the title which makes one think the statistics will be on the entire military and then notice that the statistics reported are only enlisted members between 18 and 24.

The statistics leave out officers and the professional enlisted ranks (those with more than six years of service) over age 24.

[ExTxMarine]

Texas used to be a very over-represented state in the US Military; however, there are other things in play today.

In Texas and North Dakota, the oil field booms have pulled many potential military-aged people away from the recruiter’s office.

In addition, with the radical changes in the US Military rules: openly gay, suppression of religious freedoms, etc..., we are going to see a great shift AWAY in those areas which USED to be very military-positive regions.

Of course, this is EXACTLY what Obama and the Democrats wanted to see happen - a fundamental shift from traditionally pro-America states and regions, to the people just looking for a job and college-fund opportunity.

During my almost ten years in the Marine Corps, Texas and Florida were always in the top four for new recruits. I suspect that as time goes on, the south will surely become less inclined to join the service, simply because of the new Democrat party changes from a DEFENSE FORCE into just another social experiment and jobs opportunity.

[buwaya]

This indicates where the rate of enlistment is currently high or low.
That’s useful in itself, but of course it isn’t a complete picture and shouldn’t be required to be. It is what it is.

It says little about the overall composition of the military, as that also depends on where recruitment was in earlier times, and also on the pools of available young people. I.e., it is false to conclude that there are plenty of people from Maine in the military, because though the recruitment rate is high the actual numbers are small.

Interesting though that some of the more conservative states have relatively low rates. Why so few out of WV ? One would think its prime territory.

[corbe]

Texas and Floriduh is where the majority RETIRE would be a safe bet, IMHO.

[ansel12]

Utah is traditionally in the last 2 or so.

[SayNoToDems]

surprised North Carolina isn’t darker...

Ditto North Dakota.OTOH.I'm stunned that Maine isn't lily white (no pun intended).

[latina4dubya]

That sounds a bit racist to me! lol

haha! i thought the same thing as i typed the comment!

[USAF80]

Nah, military tend to retire at their last duty station if it’s in a good location where they can get a job. Most end up going back to their hometown.

[USAF80]

The military tend to put recruiters where there is a large population. The states that have a large military presence usually don’t need as many recruiters.

For example my graduating class in high school was over 1000. You have a larger pool to draw from.

They have also cut back on recruiting adverts so word probably not getting out to the sparsely populated areas.