[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 105 (Thursday, July 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1635]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




MILITARY RECRUITMENT THROUGH EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS TO AMERICA'S YOUNG 
                                 PEOPLE

                                 ______
                                 

                            HON. JIM SAXTON

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, July 22, 1999

  Mr. SAXTON. Mr. Speaker, we know that today our armed forces are 
facing serious shortfalls in recruitment. Already, these shortfalls are 
having a dangerous impact on our Nation's military readiness. We will 
have all the best tools, and no one to fight the war. In part, the 
problem may be caused by a blessing: America's flourishing economy, 
which leads our young people to enter a booming job market rather than 
the rigors of military service. Therefore, it is essential for our 
national security that our government do all it can to support our 
armed forces in effectively communicating to young people of 
recruitment age the advantages and benefits of service.
  Honor, patriotism, and the desire for adventure still engage and 
motivate America's young men and women. America's armed forces offer 
the opportunity to be part of something meaningful, to learn self-
discipline and sacrifice. For many idealistic young people, that offers 
them an experience unmatchable elsewhere. So we have to get the message 
out about what service in the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marines means 
to their country, and what opportunities such service entails. And we 
must recognize that in today's world, we are competing with some of the 
most effective marketing and recruitment techniques ever devised by 
U.S. companies, which quite reasonably want to catch as many of the 
best and the brightest as they can for themselves.
  Therefore, it is esssential that we convey our message by the most 
effective means possible, employing language and images engaging to 
young Americans of recruitment age. Programming messages by the U.S. 
Navy have scored significant recruiting success in recent months, 
partially reversing the downward trend of Navy recruitment. Programming 
directed toward high school students for post-graduation enlistment can 
be particularly well targeted and unusually effective means of 
increasing awareness of the military service option and positive 
attitudes towards it. As a result of this exposure, students in the 
Channel One schools are more likely to consider enlisting.
  Mr. Speaker, the use of innovative methods to educate and encourage 
young people about the benefits of service to their country is 
essential in today's marketplace. Our national security demands such an 
effort. At the same time, service in the United States military truly 
provides young Americans with an opportunity to gain by giving to their 
country. I intend to work hard to ensure that our government expands 
its support for our armed forces' efforts in this direction.

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