RESIST, DON'T ENLIST MYTHS AND TRUTHS ABOUT JOINING THE U.S. MILITARY SOCIALIST PARTY USA

THINGS TO THINK ABOUT Are you prepared to fight in any war, in any place, and any time that the government orders you to? Have you really considered all the college financial aid and job training placement possibilities in your community? Is joining the military something you want to do, or are you being pressured into it by other people? Is this a spur of the moment decision you may regret later? Have you talked to any of the many veterans who didn't like the military? Why didn't they make the military a career? If you become unhappy after you enlist, do you know how hard it would be to get out? If you get a less-than-honorable discharge, do you know how hard it would be to get it changed?

RECRUITERS LIE

Recruiters must meet their quotas or "mission" They must "play fast and loose with the rules" to find new recruits because "no one wants to join" (The New York Times, May 8, 2005) Recruitment attempts are often followed threats, coercion, and false promises One in five recruiters is investigated for improprieties (Damien Cave, The New York Times, May 3, 2005)

RECRUITERS LIE MYTHTRUTH The military will give you up to $86,000 to pay for college. 57 percent of enlistees don't get any college money. The military gives real life job training and experience. A majority reported being unhappy with their compensation, and only 54 percent reported job satisfaction, including officers. You won't see combat, and you can leave the military when you want. The military can extend your contract without your permission.

9 THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN TALKING TO A RECRUITER Recruiters are trying to make a sale Take along a parent or friend Don't hide your medical condition or police record Carefully read any papers you are given Talk with parents, friends, or a civilian counselor Get all promises in writing Get copies of everything you sign Ask questions If you don't like your new job, you can't quit

THE ENLISTMENT AGREEMENT Page 2, paragraph nine, point B of the enlistment agreement states: "Laws and regulations that govern military personnel may change without notice to me. Such changes may affect my status, pay, allowances, benefits and responsibilities as a member of the Armed Forces regardless of the provisions of me and enlistment/reenlistment document. " Translation: It's a binding contract for you, but not for them.

DELAYED ENTRY PROGRAM You don't have to go, even if you have signed up under DEP You don't need a "good reason"; simply put your request in writing There is no catch

WHAT THEY'RE NOT SAYING Veterans typically earn 12% to 15% less than workers who did not serve in the military A person signing up for money for college can expect an average net benefit of less than $2200, which takes into account the $1200 nonrefundable contribution that every enlistee makes ($100 a month for the first 12 months of service) Because of "stop loss" orders, recruit can be kept in the military and definitely, or callback from the reserves years later People of color represent one third of all enlisted personnel but only one eighth of the officers

WHAT THEY'RE NOT SAYING Nearly 90% of women in the military report being sexually harassed Nearly one third of women soldiers report being raped 65% of current enlistees state that they are not satisfied with their military jobs In addition to the more than thousands of US men and women who have died in the war any rack, there are tens of thousands more who have been wounded and have returned home with dramatic brain injuries, loss of the lambs, PTSD, and serious illnesses related to exposure to depleted uranium used in U.S. munitions. Military personnel are trained and must be prepared to kill other human beings

KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT LIFE IN THE MILITARY

You will lose almost all control over how you live The military has serious problems with racial inequality LGBTQ recruits and those with alternative political views are highly discriminated against "Many women report that they are not allowed to work for the jobs which they were trained." Abuse during basic training is routine