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

[streetpreacher]

MILITARY: Beware Lying CNN reporters.

[TankerKC]

How many 17 year olds enlist per year?

I did. My mom signed for me. Still, even for older recruits, it is best if they consult with their parents.

[The KG9 Kid]

"My recruiter lied to me"

LOL!

Again, LOL!

[dakine]

" Not many... "

Missed that part...

"even for older recruits, it is best if they consult with their parents."

Not sure why....

[Clara Lou]

Hmmm. There's some fudgery in our experience.
1) The Marine recruiter told my son [and me] that once he took his physical and passed it, he would be sworn in, and that he would then be the property of the US Marines [even though his entry is delayed until July]. We know that this isn't true. He's not "in" unless and until he actually climbs onto that bus.
2) Prior to his physical and ensuing swearing-in, the recruiter assured my son that he would not be going to boot camp until the agreed upon date in July. Once my son passed that physical, that tune suddenly changed. He told my son that he could send him to boot camp at any time after he graduates high school. Another lie. My son would have to agree to go early.

The problem is that his particular recruiter was a self-serving liar, detested by everyone else working out of that recruiting office. He's been replaced.

It seems to me that enlisting is like buying a used car. You better know your business. [We had FReeper input to help us out.]

[TankerKC]

Not sure why....

I guess that speaks to your relationship with your parents/kids.

I'd rather get new troops who's parents were behind what they are doing, or at the very least, felt that they had some input.

[Waco]

Rootin for the enemy T.J.? Hey T.J., got a child to donate? WHO does the child belong to? Scumbag!

[dakine]

I'd rather get adults...

[Larry Lucido]

Yeah, yeah. My recruiter promised me king size beds, room service and cable TV. I just wasn't stupid enough to believe it.

[Larry Lucido]

I'd rather get new troops who's parents were behind what they are doing, or at the very least, felt that they had some input.

No argument there, Tanker. Even better, I'd rather get new troops who were over six foot and had engineering degrees. But realistically you wouldn't put your universe of potential recruits through any such artificial filter. You start with the willing and able, and go from there. IF their parents support them, fine. If not, and they're 18, it doesn't matter. Casey Sheehan still served honorably.

[CitizenUSA]

Grand Eagle wrote: "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."

Good points. It's important to distinguish between the things they are contractually obligated to provide and the things they say they will try to provide. Career fields, organizations, and military bases are continually being created, altered, or eliminated, and the military is only obligated to provide the specific things listed in the enlistment contract. However, my experience is they do try to act in good faith to deliver on other, non-contractual promises. For example, they'll try to give you the assignment you want if there's an opening for you and you have the right skills. I have far more trust in the military than other agencies, including CNN!

[chartnah]

Googling Gina Cavallaro brings some interesting results - one of her stories, in particular, stands out... and seems to be her "hook" for being taken seriously as a "journalist". She's respected, even revered, by some for her embed time and a story she wrote about a fallen soldier (BlackFive link), one she became particularly attached to. But it's equally clear that she is, first and foremost, playing the reporter and holds some neutral at best, anti-Military at worst, personal opinions. For example, even while being lauded for her story on Spc Martinez, she says: "I've seen reporters who are clearly anti-military, and I don't begrudge them that. It's their right. Sorry, Gina, but that dog don't hunt. So you got to know a soldier and connected - yup, you're human - congratulations. That you want to straddle the fence and pander / excuse clearly biased "journalism" as well puts you squarely in the "even a stopped clock is right twice a day" column. Content from Gannett, USA Today, and Military Times - a misnomer if ever there was one - should always be considered tainted, at best, and anti-American as the norm. Her CNN comments prove that she's not converted by her experiences and quite willing to play the straight man for CNN spin. That's she is presented as being even remotely knowledgable regards recruiting is a joke. Equivalent, LOL, to "I knew a guy in HS who was ethnic Chinese, so I'm gonna tells ya all abouts China..."

[Eagle Eye]

Recruiting is just like any field, there's some bad apples as well as fruits and nuts.

But unlike most jobs, military recruiters are not ofter volunteers, usually don't look forward to the duty, and their careers are constantly threatened by their superiors if they don't wrack up their numbers.

And that is during peace time!

[Ieatfrijoles]

I was 17 also. And when the E-6 recruiter showed me the pay grid I said "What's this? You mean I get free food, housing and I get paid." It wasn't about bennys to me or anyone I served with. Of course it was 83 and a real leader was in the White House.

[NormsRevenge]

TJ is a former Bay Area TV reporter for a local news station.
No surprise on his work on this piece.

[GOP Poet]

Can we just hang everyone at CNN for treason yet? I guess the public supports this and drives their market, so keeping them alive and working against this country is supported by millions of citizens. So sad. Says a lot about the state of the country that keeps these treacherous, anti American spirit alive.

[TADSLOS]

When I enlisted in 75 my recruiter told me exactly what to expect about the rate chose. No lies.

That's good news. My point is this- Soldiers have bitched about how their recruiter lied to them since before the days of Caesar. The typical situation tends to go like this:

Young Recruit- Thinks recruiter is God

Soldier after basic/AIT and at first duty station- Recruiter is God-D***ed

Young NCO on his way to recruiting duty- "I'm gonna be a God!"

Tired, worn out NCO after a tour of recruiting duty- "Hey, I can always get out and run for office, I have the skill set".

Hence, CNN, again- distorts the picture to push an anti- Bush, anti-war agenda. Same old, same old...

[stevem]

Anyone stupid enough to think joining the military automatically gets you deployed to Tahiti where the lasses provide you with libations by day and glorious moonlight nights...well, such a person is also stupid enough to get his news from CNN.

Ever since I left the military I always thought recruiters were making an unforgivable mistake if they failed to tell potential recruits that, provided they have anything on the ball, they will be given real responsibility in truly important matters YEARS sooner than they will get it in ANY other walk of life. By truly important matters, I mean matters that really make a difference in the lives of people.

[GOP Poet]

these=this CNN lies all the time or should I say fudges the truth. That should be the story in my opinion.

[ColdSteelTalon]

You know I hate to say this but the report can be accurate. My recruiter told my parents that by signing an early enlistment contract that I could take the test ASVAB. But the contract actually allowed me at 17 to sign an enlistment contract on my own.

Of course I had no problem with that because I was going in the Army no matter what. :)

Recruiters are in fact heavily pressured to reach their recruiting goals and some will stretch the truth. But there is never any official pressure to do so.