As Jobs Disappear, Americans Turn to Military

The New York Times reports that job-seeking Americans are looking to the US Military:

As the number of jobs across the nation dwindles, more Americans are joining the military, lured by a steady paycheck, benefits and training.

The last fiscal year was a banner one for the military, with all active-duty and reserve forces meeting or exceeding their recruitment goals for the first time since 2004, the year that violence in Iraq intensified drastically, Pentagon officials said.

And the trend seems to be accelerating. The Army exceeded its targets each month for October, November and December — the first quarter of the new fiscal year — bringing in 21,443 new soldiers on active duty and in the reserves. December figures were released last week.

While there’s nothing inherently wrong in joining the military, it is disturbing that Americans are being forced to give up their rights and their homes in order to work.

Via NYT.