May 20, 2005

PHILADELPHIA, PA – The Army is now offering 15-month active duty tours instead of the usual four-year enlistment. What does it mean?

Not much when you consider the numbers of soldiers affected by "stop loss" – forced to stay in the military well past their initial volunteer commitments. Often referred to as a "backdoor draft," stop loss does away with the concept of a volunteer army forcing servicemen and women to continue military service well past the time for which they committed.

Soldiers who have their tours of duty involuntarily extended are forced to stay overseas as long as their command units remain. After that they are required to stay in active duty for up to 90 days. What it means is that the military gets to break the contracts entered into with soldiers who have completed the tours of duty for which they agreed. They cannot retire, go back to their jobs or college or continue on with their lives.

"The use of stop loss is often an indication of a shortfall of available personnel," says Loren Thompson, an analyst at the Lexington Institute, a think tank based in Arlington, Va., recently quoted by USA Today.

Tour of duty cuts are only the latest ploy to get youths to enlist.

For the past 20 years, the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) has worked to expose what we believe to be the systemic and widespread problem of abusive and unethical recruitment practices. It's an issue that touches not only the Army, but also every branch of the Armed Services.

For example, in the past decade, more than 400 Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps recruiters were relieved for misconduct. In the Army and Navy combined more than 1,290 were admonished or given punitive discipline for misconduct or errors. Between 7.1 and 9.8 percent of the military recruiting force was disciplined for misconduct or errors.

In 2001 an investigation by a Dallas television station found that recruiters supplied enlistees with hundreds of counterfeit high school diplomas and instructed them to lie about their academic background.

In fact the problem is so entrenched, a former navy recruiter commented: "It's done to trick and intimidate the person into (enlisting). It's told to somebody who doesn't have access to a lawyer, or a strong family network.

"It's an intimidation and lying technique targeted to the most vulnerable applicants," the recruiter continues. "The corruption is so thoroughly institutionalized in recruiting, it would take congressional hearings just to make a dent in cleaning things up."

Nationally, AFSC leads counter-recruitment trainings and workshops, conducts research, and offers experienced leadership to the growing counter-recruitment movement. The Service Committee monitors the influence of the military in vulnerable communities, gives young people pertinent facts about enlistment practices and offers support to all conscientious objectors – individuals who refuse to participate in militarism and war.

Additional resources can be found at http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/Military-Recruitment/.

The American Friends Service Committee is a Quaker organization that includes people of various faiths who are committed to social justice, peace and humanitarian service. Its work is based on the belief in the worth of every person and faith in the power of love to overcome violence and injustice. The American Friends Service Committee has offices in 22 countries of the world, and regional offices in Washington, D.C.; California; Georgia; Illinois; Iowa; Maryland; Massachusetts; New York and Washington.

Do You Know Enough to Enlist?

The American Friends Service Committee wants young people approached by a recruiter to understand their rights and know what to expect. Its publication Do You Know Enough to Enlist, offers facts about recruiter promises and the realities of military service. Here are a few things to remember BEFORE you enlist:

Your decision about enlistment will affect your life and the lives of others. Don't rush.

Military recruiters are salespeople: their job is to "sell" you on enlistment. To keep their jobs and advance their careers, most recruiters must sign up a specific number of people each month. They stress the benefits of the military – not the problems.

Talk with recently discharged veterans – both those who had good experiences and those who didn't – about the questions raised on the AFSC website at http://www.afsc.org/.

Talk with a civilian counselor who can help you think about the military or suggest other options.

Take along a relative or friend. You have a lot to think about when you talk with a recruiter. A family member or friend can take notes, ask questions, and watch out for your best interests. Also take along a relative or friend if you discuss job selection with a military "guidance counselor" at a Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS).

American Friends Service Committee