The US Army is restructuring its forces to strengthen military power. At the same time, the attractive education, employment opportunities, and benefits provided by the military are also drawing more young people to join.
Joining the US military is considered a top career choice by many American high school students, recent high school graduates, and college students. To recruit more new soldiers and assist them through the enlistment process, the US military has established recruitment centers in various locations nationwide.
On July 12th, the Los Angeles Army Recruitment Center held an outdoor “Change of Command” ceremony in the downtown area. Colonel Erin Fritzler took responsibility from Johann Hindert to become the new commander of the Los Angeles Recruitment Center of the US Army Recruitment Command (USAREC) Sixth Recruiting Brigade.
Los Angeles has always been a key recruitment area for the US military. Under Colonel Hindert’s command over the past two years, the Los Angeles Recruitment Center recruited 3,000 regular soldiers and 650 reservists. Fritzler happily said, “So I am here to join this big family. I have been stationed in Los Angeles before and done some recruiting work. I am excited to be part of the recruiting center.”
Colonel Fritzler participated in the Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program in high school and received a commission as a second lieutenant from the US Military Academy at West Point in 2006, becoming a military police officer.
She served as Company Executive Officer and Platoon Leader in the 116th Military Police Company at Fort Riley, Executive Officer of the Rear Detachment in the Headquarters of the 97th Military Police Battalion, Law and Order Advisor and Protection Operations Officer in Italy, Assistant Professor of Military Science and Recruiting Operations Officer in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) program at the University of California, Los Angeles.
During her tenure in Los Angeles, she earned a Juris Doctor degree from the Southern Methodist University School of Law through the educational benefits provided by the US military. She then served as the Executive Officer of a recruiting battalion in the US Army Recruiting Command in New York.
Fritzler stated that the US Army is the world’s most powerful fighting force and offers many people the best path to a successful life, an experience that she personally confirms.
“I am very grateful to the Army for giving me so many different opportunities. The military gave me the opportunity to develop leadership skills, meet many outstanding servicemen, and travel around the world…,” she said. “It was a life-changing opportunity for me.”
For the younger generation of high school graduates planning their future, she believes that serving the country is an honorable thing, and the advantages provided by the Army surpass other professional fields.
For example, the Army offers over 200 different career opportunities, with new recruits selecting their occupation before signing a contract – what they choose, the Army will assign them. Soldiers are not forced to go to the front lines.
Moreover, the Army provides approximately $274 million in scholarships for soldiers every year. Full-time soldiers serving for three years receive 100% tuition assistance. Soldiers also receive monthly housing allowances, which can amount to thousands of dollars depending on their location.
The benefits provided by the US military to soldiers go far beyond these. The ROTC program allows individuals to further understand the Army as “non-contract officers” and decide whether to enlist formally. The ROTC scholarship program helps soldiers earn credits through online and evening courses, leading them to obtain bachelor’s, master’s, or even doctoral degrees.
The VA loan program helps soldiers purchase homes with “zero down payment.” According to the US Service Members’ Rights Act, soldiers are entitled to free medical care, paid leave, and other benefits. In addition to the 30 days of paid annual leave, new parents receive paid parental leave and recovery leave.
Liu Sha, a Chinese recruiting officer at the Pasadena Recruiting Office in Los Angeles County, pointed out that as more people understand the concept of serving in a free country, many Chinese families have changed their minds to support their children’s enlistment. However, many individuals are unable to pass the basic tests due to language barriers.
“Many people get stuck at the language barrier, unable to communicate with the staff. What we need is just basic English communication.” Therefore, she suggested that those interested in joining the US military should put in some effort to acquire simple English communication skills.
In addition, enlistees need to meet basic requirements, including good physical health, a high school diploma, passing a physical fitness test, being aged between 17 and 35, with some exceptions allowing enlistment up to the age of 42, and holding US permanent resident or citizenship status.