A Boring Dystopia

I went to college in my 30s and got texts and calls from recruiters for months. I never knowingly gave my contact info to them, so I'm assuming they got it from the school.

I had a very anti-war sociology professor that had been protesting since vietnam. Despite his qualms with military industrial complex, he would always say that the the military is the last vestige of upward mobility in the united states as it's one of the few places where you can enter a playing field that is somewhat leveled for new entries, have merit impact your growth, and get access things like subsidized education. Sure there's still racism, sexism, etc. but in terms of economic mobility it provides a decent ladder.

You'll probably be shipped off to Africa at some point. America isn't interested in oil anymore, it's all about them minerals so we can build them high tech weapons.

Always has been.

The meaning of "recruiter for your school" might have more to do with the Army coordinating who is actively recruiting where, than someone who is permanently installed at said school. So more "I'm the recruiter the Army designated for" than "I'm your school's recruiter". Big difference. I've never heard of the latter.

I recall a few weeks back in the 1990's where different armed forces recruiters were allowed to set up a booth in my HS cafeteria. In hindsight, it seems like the faculty should have launched a whole job fair while they were handing out favors. Which just raises more questions. Anyway, this recent social media angle fits with the same M.O. - they're super aggressive and will work every angle to get closer to potential recruits.

The bigger problem is that, like all military posts, they rotate people frequently. IMO, there's little incentive to strictly observe social norms since they're never sticking around for more than a couple years. Yes, you can report people, but that has got to feel like playing whack-a-mole.

Back in 2001 the recruiter at my high school very nearly convinced my girlfriend at the time to join up. She was not cut out for that life, and did eventually back out.

My school's recruiter specifically targeted athletes. Like I'm trying to get a college scholarship, not join the ROTC

this is what happens when your training gives your members permanent irreversible brain damage (haha i love concussions)

The us military is a fascinating thing.