Don't Have a Job? Work for Uncle Sam!

In the last four months we have seen unemployment rise from 6.2% in October 08 to 7.2% for December 08. Want to know what else is on the rise over those same months? Military recruiting, which in the last 4 years has been low. Seems people are deterred from signing the dotted line with casualties being reported in the media every day. The current turn of events in the unemployment line have lead people to another government line recently though.

The US military's fiscal year starts Oct 1st of the previous year and from Oct - Dec 08 compared to the same period a year before, Uncle Same has recruited 6,000 more service men and women.

I applaud everyone who has raised their right hand. I have often blogged about joining the military if you couldn't find a job. I know the military can. You can even pick your job type...Soldier, Marine, Sailor, Airman, Merchant Marine, and even Coast Guard.

Some speculate that this rise in recruitment is due to Mr. Bush leaving office soon (speaking from the last three months) and that President elect Obama had promised to pull troops out of Iraq. I however don't think this is the case. I think this is more due to the fact that so many people cannot find jobs, and that is because although Obama promised to pull troops out of Iraq, he also promised to increase troops in Afghanistan.

You better join fast though! Or atleast DEP (delayed entry program). With the military contracting this year for troops exiting Iraq, and general downsizing, not everyone can get in. I'm not recruiting anyone, just letting you know. I know for a fact that the US Navy has been downsizing over the last year to make room for the Army, and to also meet new 'smaller navy' goals of working smarter, not harder. You've seen that trend since WWII. Every new ship design includes less crew to mantain.

Feel free to ask military questions in the comments section, or email webmaster@thebigpictoday.com . I work with every service. Oh, and the photo in this post is me in Bahrain circa 2007.

Which Branch of the Military is right for you?

Links:
Poor economy boosts military recruiting
Economy, Obama's Message Help Recruitment Soar NYC Navy Recruiter Says Numbers Up 200 Percent; Recruits Say Job Security, Insurance Attractive Aspects
(Department of Labor website in my LINKS section on the right)