Some Americans continue to believe that the military is overwhelmingly composed of those with no other options.
Naval Base Ventura County, Calif. - Engineering Aide 2nd Class Brandon Hill shoots a M-240B machine gun, as a fire power demonstration at the opening ceremony for Seabee Days. Seabee Days is an annual event celebrating the Navy Seabees with a military parade, carnival, entertainment, and military displays. U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate Airman John P. Curtis (RELEASED)
Charlie Rangel: “No young, bright individual wants to fight just because of a bonus and just because of educational benefits. And most all of them come from communities of very, very high unemployment. If a young fella has an option of having a decent career or joining the army to fight in Iraq, you can bet your life that he would not be in Iraq.”
However, Ann Marlowe writes in The Wall Street Journal:
“These allegations—most frequently leveled at the Army, the military’s biggest service and the one with the highest casualty rate—are false.
“In 2008, using data provided by the Defense Department, the Heritage Foundation found that only 11% of enlisted military recruits in 2007 came from the poorest one-fifth, or quintile, of American neighborhoods (as of the 2000 Census), while 25% came from the wealthiest quintile.”
Her complete article is available here.
Sailors assigned to the U.S. Pacific Fleet Band march on Kalakaua Ave. during the Aloha to the Military Ohana celebration and parade. The event was organized to honor active duty military, reservists, wounded warriors, military retirees and veterans of other campaigns and was hosted by the United Service Organization Hawaii, BAE Systems, TriWest Health Care Alliance and the City and County of Honolulu. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)
