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

[GOP Poet]

Hear Hear. Here, Here. Couldn't agree more.

[GOP Poet]

Ever been recruited to a college? I have and let me tell you they promise, they lie, they fudge the truth . It is called sales unfortunately.

Ever shopped for a car, a new home, a sweater? Well. If a person doesn't have common sense they learn, when they are being sold anything they have a duty to use that common sense and also to do a bit of research. Only God is perfect. Welcome to reality.

[Big Guy and Rusty 99]

man, that's brilliant.

"that's my mom on the phone. I'll put it on speaker."

[ASOC]

Take a close look, thems Marine digicams.


OTOH, In Anchorage they have posted ads for (get this) CONTRACT Recruiters, paid on commission no less.

Talk about ripe for abuse. If they would pay a decent base, I would go for the job.

[ColdSteelTalon]

I understand what you are saying but it is possible to sell without lying or bending the truth. Its called integrity.

[SAMS]

Just how stupid do you have to be this day in age, not to think that if you joing the military you are going to wind up going into some sort of combat situation?

[Reeses]

death counts every five minutes

On a cruise ship vacation over the holidays I was forced to get all my news from CNN. It was painful. They constantly repeat the death toll of 3,000 yet neglect to mention the 4 year period it covers. During this same time 180,000 Americans died in car wrecks, but no mention of that senseless loss on CNN every few minutes. The soldiers died for their country vs. died on their way to buy groceries.

I wonder why CNN has a lock on the airports, cruise ships, and other captive audiences. CNN is too anti-American, too depressing, too envy-filled, too biased to force on people trying to enjoy a vacation. Isn't it well known that twice as many people prefer Fox News over CNN?

[Criminal Number 18F]

Do some recriuters lie? Yeah. It's a high-stress job (I know a bunch of them). Generally, the more successful ones will not, just like the best car salesman does not jam you into a car you don't want. The one who might give in to the temptation to lie is the one who is struggling or overwhelmed.

Recruiters are very closely monitored by their leaders (who are also, I must say, the source of that relentless pressure).

Anyone who can recruit for the five military services can sell any good product. Cause that's what he is, a salesman.

My recruiter back in the seventies was completely honest (it was a woman, which was my first of a career of surprises). Even things where I thought whe was blowing smoke ("If you go to language school, it's in Monterey, and you'll have more time off than you did in college") she was absolutely correct. I always thought that many of the "my recruiter lied to me" bunch were not paying attention when they talked to their recruiters -- never a good idea.

Bare in mind that the recruiter has quotas not just for the service in general, but for specific kinds of recruits. If you're not feeling lots of love from your recruiter, it might be that you're in a group where his quota's full for the month, and he needs to get a Mental Category I or female recruit more than he needs a Cat II male right now, so he's off tilting at that windmill instead of calling you back. (The Mental Categories are based on the quintiles of those that take the ASVAB. V and IV are generally not taken by any service, that corresponds to the lowest 30% of society mentally, basically below an 80-85 IQ or so).

By the way, every service has at least one famous hero who tried to join another service and was turned down or found the recruiter he wanted out of the office. Recruiters who share a building with other services are not always punctilious about poaching their buddy's recruits.

But there's another question here: does CNN, and does Military Times, tilt against the troops? Oh yeah, big-time. Military Times Publishing Co. was a huge troop supporter until it was bought by Gannett (think USA Today, McPaper) and did an immediate 180 in editorial policy. I don't even get it for the promotion lists any more... if some old buddy comes up on the colonels or command sergeants major list, I'll get a phone call soon enough.

d.o.l.

Criminal Number 18F

[Txsleuth]

I don't doubt at all the intentions of CNN in running that segment right now.

Remember, the week or so right up to the election in November, they ran a series nightly about the "Broken Government"...which is an OPINION not a fact...but, I betcha it swayed some ignorant viewers that tend to watch CNN!!

How they can get away with that is beyond me...and then of course showing the snuff videos of our troops and now this.

I do think we can offically name them the Anti-Military Station...and MSNBC the BDS NETWORK.

[GOP Poet]

hey. I hear you and agree. Having worked in sales previously, I believe it is the best thing as well. Unfortunately it doesn't happen as often as it should. This is part of the learning process.

[VOA]

CNN: Beware Lying Military Recruiters

LOL!
I bet some Roman recruiters hedged on the truth a bit!

Only the naive would call this "news"!

Even the conservative preacher/evangelist Chuck Swindoll relates his
tale about choosing his branch of service as he was finishing divinity
school.
"The Marine recruiter told me that if I signed up, I wouldn't be
shipped overseas. So, as soon as I get married...here are my orders
to Okinawa!"

Swindoll is realistic, and came back with a wealth of stories about
trying to maintain good conduct while stationed overseas from his wife.

And how many fellows couldn't pull off the trick.
But, his most caustic reviews were for some of the chaplains that
didn't "walk their talk".

[GOP Poet]

I just learned more about recruiting from your post then I ever could in a thousand non-objective, negative stories done about military recruiters on CNN.

Real journalism--we haven't had much of it for so long we forget what learning new information can be like. Thanks!

[TADSLOS]

But there's another question here: does CNN, and does Military Times, tilt against the troops? Oh yeah, big-time. Military Times Publishing Co. was a huge troop supporter until it was bought by Gannett (think USA Today, McPaper) and did an immediate 180 in editorial policy. I don't even get it for the promotion lists any more... if some old buddy comes up on the colonels or command sergeants major list, I'll get a phone call soon enough.

True. I've noticed that many an Army Times gets tossed quickly these days. Gannett leans hard left.

[EGPWS]

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

What we already know.

When it comes to lying and distorting the truth, CNN holds the crown of deceit.

[popdonnelly]

Can you imagine anything like this being published in any other U.S. war? I mean, in something other than a Communist propaganda sheet? This country has become so inculcated with the idea that Uncle Sam is evil, and it's the U.S. that can't be trusted, so that something like this can be broadcast by CNN.

[popdonnelly]

There was a columnist for our local paper who addressed a column to parents, saying that they should refuse to let their children enlist.

[Gritty]

[EGPWS]

Can you imagine anything like this being published in any other U.S. war?

Makes one wonder how many fronts are being fought presently in this age of stealth.

CNN makes it appear as the the military is made up of 49% attorneys, 50% journalists and 1% combat ready soldiers.

[oldenuff2no]

Things are stated by a recruiter that are precisely true but are not understood by the new service member.
I heard one recruiter tell a young lad that basic training was a process of getting new troops in to good physical shape, teaching them military discipline and self discipline. This kid asked no further questions. This same young man came back several months later and told me that he didn't know what he was getting into. He didn't know they were going to run him half to death and make him get up before daylight every morning. He didn't know the right questions to ask when he enlisted. This same kid is a ground pounder. He wanted to go in "right now," and that is what the recruiter did for him. The good career fields are harder to get into and they have to project the enlistments out for months so the new service member has a slot at the school when they graduate from AIT. This young man told me that he was upset because he didn't get a guaranteed job. The recruiter told him the truth and put him in quickly as he requested. Somehow it's still the recruiters fault.

[Prodigal Son]

That recruiters 'lied to me' is the most common thing you hear in the Army. It's pretty much a universal euphemism. Recruiters telling kids 'you can sign up for airborne (or Ranger school) once you get to basic training'. Recruiters guaranteeing kids they'll wind up in the 82d. Hey, it's normal. We always laughed about it. The only thing lower than the recruiter is the Military Police. I knew guys who wouldn't even wear their recruiter patch once they earned it unless they were made to.

What's the big deal?