Video by Caroline Routh
Cover by Olivia Goodson
LEAD:
Would YOU want to join the army? Despite many benefits, the military has been struggling to recruit to the levels they have seen in the past, leaving many to wonder why military recruiting is facing such a tough market. Caroline Routh has the story.
TRT: 2:30
TRACK:
Across the country, military recruiting is down. The army is falling about 25% short of their goal to attract 60,000 recruits.
STANDUP: Despite benefits such as tuition coverage and housing assistance from the post 9/11 GI Bill, there is a disconnect between what people know about the military and what they THINK they know about the military.
Casey SOT 1:
“I know the Chapel Hill market is tough because everyone wants to go to college, and again, our message with the army is we can help you get to college.”
TRACK: According to US Army data, 50% of youth admit they know little to nothing about military service.
Casey SOT 2:
“Younger people, they think that the army is just combat arms, every job is combat arms, but that’s not true at all. There’s many different jobs in the military.”
TRACK:
While the Chapel Hill army recruiting has been tough, the ROTC program at UNC is still thriving.
Lisa SOT 1:
“I know the army has had some challenges with recruiting. Personally with the program at UNC, we are very grateful to have the unc community here to support us and we have not had a dip in numbers as we continue to recruit top talent at UNC and in the Tar Heel battalion.”
TRACK: But they, too, must fight against many misconceptions when it comes to the military.
Lisa SOT 2:
“We’re looking for people who are passionate about service, people with high character as well, not necessarily your top athlete, but people from all walks of life.”
TRACK: ROTC also stresses that involvement in their program doesn’t deter someone from getting involved in other things on campus.
Riley SOT 1:
“I’m a biomedical engineering major and that takes up a lot of my time so I was worried I wouldn’t be able to balance the two, but I’ve also been able to get into a sorority.”
TRACK: There’s also a strong sense of community within the program
Lisa SOT 3:
“We have a great mentorship program here at UNC. We try to match our cadets with people serving in the military to help mentor them, and we find this really important because not only does it maintain the connective tissue between alumni and ROTC cadets but it also helps cadets understand and transition to military service.”
TRACK: The fight for military recruiting begins with the battle against misconceptions, and that war is currently being waged through social media to better inform people about the military.
Ben SOT 1:
“Our social media account has been improving every year I’ve been here, and they are putting more focus on connecting with people on Instagram, TikTok.”
TRACK: To improve military recruiting, recruiters must educate the public on all the good the military can provide.
Casey SOT 3:
“They’re afraid of what they don’t know… if young people just jump and experience it… if you’re on the fence just do it…
TRACK: I’m Caroline Routh, reporting.
TRT: 2:30
TAG:
Military recruiters must continue to fight against stereotypes about the armed services and teach people about the breadth and depth of opportunities within military service if they want a chance at bettering their recruiting numbers.
