CNN: Beware Lying Military Recruiters

NewsBusters ^ | Mark Finkelstein

[governsleastgovernsbest]

With President Bush presumably about to announce a surge of troops into Iraq, what better time for CNN to run a segment . . . likely to put a damper on recruiting? In theory, there was nothing wrong with a segment aired at 10:30 ET this morning, geared to providing useful information to potential recruits. As discussed during CNN host TJ Holmes' interview of Gina Cavallaro of the Military Times, recruits do need to understand that they are entering into a contract with the military, that they have bargaining power, that it's possible to negotiate, that it's wise to get things in writing, etc.

All well and good. But all that information was provided against the backdrop of a recurring theme: that recruiters are likely to distort or even lie to potential recruits.

Holmes introduced the segment this way: "Between the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, military recruiters are feeling more pressure to meet their goals. They are overstating the benefits of enlisting right now, is the word. What should you know before your son or daughter signs on the dotted line?"

Holmes' first question to Cavallaro: "The [recruits] you talk to who were just getting into it or have been in for a little bit, do you hear much saying they didn't really know what they were getting to? Did their impressions turn out to be true once they were enlisted?"

Cavallaro took it from there: "I hear people saying, 'my recruiter lied to me. I'm not where I said I would be. I didn't know I would be in Korea for a year.' You definitely hear those things."And although she added that lying recruiters aren't "the norm," just a minute or so later she warned "you're going to maybe eventually run into somebody out there who is going to be less than scrupulous or who isn't going to tell you everything."

And later still: "And you need to know also that any recruiter who tells you you're not going to go to Iraq is telling you less than the truth."

Are there recruiters who fudge facts? I suppose so. But I'll be on the lookout for the next CNN used-car buying guide to see if CNN treats salesmen with as much cynicism as it directed toward the United States military this morning.

Mark was in Iraq in November. Contact him at mark@gunhill.net

[governsleastgovernsbest]

CNN-discouraging-recruitment ping to Today show list.

[martin_fierro]

Beware lying CNN reporters.

[pissant]

CNN is disgusting beyond words.

[TADSLOS]

"I hear people saying, 'my recruiter lied to me.

File under "What's New?"

[governsleastgovernsbest]

As I'm sure most FReepers know, despite its official-sounding name the Military Times is owned and operated by Gannett, the folks who among other things bring you the liberal USA Today.

[btcusn]

"I hear people saying, 'my recruiter lied to me.

File under "What's New?"
When I enlisted in 75 my recruiter told me exactly what to expect about the rate chose. No lies.
I retired in 95.
Jack

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Right, nothing new here! My husband (US Army 70-72) has been saying this for years. CNN just dredging up old news again.

[Malone LaVeigh]

[AliVeritas]

How can CNN say that, they've shown our soldiers getting killed on TV, death counts every five minutes, quagmire, failure, poor killed Iraqis (so what if they came from Iran and killed our soldiers), i'm sure they've informed them of 'the dangers of the military' by now. Guess it's just not enough for them.

It's a new year, time for a past due crackdown on the MSM.

[lonestar67]

Beware News organizations that outright lie about war.

[Lunatic Fringe]

"I hear people saying, 'my recruiter lied to me."

I heard that a thousand times at boot camp 16 years ago. They all say that.

[SquirrelKing]

Reports like this are dreck, but won't they keep out any pantywaist types who aren't serious about service?

[dakine]

"What should you know before your son or daughter signs on the dotted line?""

How many 17 year olds enlist per year? Not many...

Mom and Dad don't need to be consulted before adult son/daughter enlists....

[CottShop]

Yay- CNN has done it again- propoganda for the enemy- bolstering the enemies by giving hte impression that Americans mistrust our government and military, and thaT we're against the war to wipe out the scum terrorists. CNN is freaking despicable! http://sacredscoop.com

[GrandEagle]

All well and good. But all that information was provided against the backdrop of a recurring theme: that recruiters are likely to distort or even lie to potential recruits
This is nothing new!
I doubt if they flat out lie in the conventional sense. They do things like "Sure, you will have a guaranteed job. (Notice the failure of the word "assignment").
You enlist, get trained, and head off for your new job only to find what he really meant was that your contract says that your primary job code (Mine was 316X1L) can not be changed. You can be assigned any job.

Reading the fine print is your friend. There is no military in the world that can guarantee anything. The world situation changes second by second. The ONLY solid contractual guarantee is that you get paid as prescribed by law, once a month.
ALL other contractual agreements are what the military will TRY to do.
And they generally do a darn good job of upholding their end.

[Diverdogz]

Just because it was reported on CNN, it doesn't mean that it isn't true.

Only the young, naive or stupid would believe everything a military recuiter tells them.

[TankerKC]

I've been in the service since 1981. I started talking to recruiters in 1980. Ummmm....this isn't news. ;)

The timing may not be the best though.

[gruffwolf]

The recruiter lied about me going to Iraq. -idiot recruit


President Bush lied to me about WMD. -idiot congressman

[governsleastgovernsbest]

Your point is well taken, but the timing, as you say, bothered me, along with the prevalent tone of the entire segment.