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

[lowbridge]

Judy Benjamin: I think they sent me to the wrong place.
Capt. Lewis: Uh-huh.
Judy Benjamin: See, I did join the army, but I joined a *different* army. I joined the one with the condos and the private rooms.

-Goldie Hawn, Private Benjamin (1980)

[RWB Patriot]

"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."

If I get in (waiting on recruiter to call me), I could care less where they send me. I'll just obey like a good soldier should.

[Non-Sequitur]

"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.'"

Heck I was hearing the same stories 30 years ago.

[steveo]

"See, I did join the army, but I joined a *different* army. I joined the one with the condos and the private rooms."

[steveo]

I guess it helps to review before I post!

[Cementjungle]

Anyone who actually believes CNN isn't likely to be visiting military recruiters anyway, so it hardly matters what they say.

[Fierce Allegiance]

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

File under "What's New?"

Lot's of my fellow basic training company members felt they had been lied to. I didn't. Besides, my football, swimming and lacrosse coaches in high school were way harder and way meaner than anything I ever faced in basic. The food was better there, too.

[Cementjungle]

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?

You mean we can't opt for an assignment guarding the beach set of BayWatch?!

[Fierce Allegiance]

Okay Freepers, my 17 year old son wants to enlist in the Navy when he turns 18. What should he/we know first?

The people yelling at you in basic are making sure you know your job. They are really protecting your butt, but don't ever smile at them. After that, your military experience is as good or bad as you decide to make it.

[Lancey Howard]

You are right to be suspicious about the timing of this CNN report. However....

I can't take issue with CNN doing such a report as long as the subject matter was handled fairly. I remember an oft-stated rejoinder during my Marine Corps days: "U Signed Mother-something Contract." (USMC)

If recruiting is being stepped up even beyond the rather fervent pitch it is currently at, then the sound advice to potential recruits to get it in writing can only be a good thing.

[SuziQ]

Yuh, like anyone remotely interested in joining the military was gonna watch CNN anyway. The network is just trying to cement the incorrect impression their fans have of all branches of the military anyway. They just think they're a bunch of war-mongers, and nothing anyone says is going to change their minds.

[Valin]

You do know that you are the 1st person in the history of Freerepublic.com that has ever done that. You are in soooo much trouble!

[KoRn]

In the brief experience I had with recruiters, they seemed to be not allot better than car salesmen. I remember meeting with one at my dad's house when I was 17, he just promised me the world. All sorts of assurances, but nothing on paper. After he left, my dad, who is a Viet Nam vet, told me the guy was full of sh1t, and not to trust him.