U.S. Army meets recruiting goals by attracting future soldiers with top notch training and benefits

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – It is the season for career and college fairs at area high schools as students are encouraged to plan for their future.

But for a small group of young people, life after high school is planned out, as they will serve their country, learn valuable skills and they won’t have to worry about any college debt.

Once a week, Tupelo High School Senior Joe Rea meets with Staff Sergeant Joshua Sulkers.

Staff Sergeant Sulkers is a recruiter for the U.S. Army and he is making sure Rea is prepared for the first step on the road to becoming a soldier.

In June, Rea will head to Fort Jackson in South Carolina for Basic Combat Training.

“Ten weeks intensive training on becoming a soldier in the United States Army,” SSgt. Sulkers said.

Rea will be known as a “15 Romeo” or a mechanic for the AH 64 Apache Attack Helicopter.

“I always wanted to work on something mechanical, I don’t want a desk job, and I always have enjoyed getting my hands dirty,” said Rea.

As a recruiter, Staff Sergeant Sulkers is always looking for those who want to serve their country, have strong moral character and who want to learn skills that can be used in the military or the civilian world.

Only about one percent of Americans serve in the military.

A booming economy has also made it tough for the Army to meet its recruiting goals. But for the first time in several years, the U.S. Army will meet its recruiting requirements.

“Attribute that to a number of things, first off, having access to schools, being able to actually talk to students and answer any questions they may have, there are a number of misconceptions about the Army and military as a whole and it is our duty to answer those questions,” said Sulkers.

Education benefits are another recruiting tool. Once Rea completes his initial training, he can take college courses wherever he is stationed. Soldiers can also earn up to full tuition through scholarships and dozens of financial aid programs.

So while many of his high school classmates are looking at student loans to finance their college education, Rae will not have to worry about student loan debt.

“Student debt is one of the biggest things I did not want to have, why I told my Dad I really didn’t want to go to college, I was just going to go to trade school, it’s not nearly as expensive as college. He said, if you decide you want to go to college, and you don’t want to pay for it, join military and go reserve, I decided to go active duty instead so I will get all full paid benefits of college,” Rea said.

Rae is hoping to make the military a career. If he chooses that path, he could retire at age 38.

Anyone wanting to join the military takes the aptitude test, also called the ASVAB. The score on that test determines the best jobs in the military for the recruits