Angry Americans Talk About Enlisting
By Erin McClam
Associated Press Writer
Wednesday, Sept. 12, 2001; 4:34 p.m. EDT
ATLANTA –– Josh Gipe had been considering joining the Army to pay
for college. The terrorist attacks against the very symbols of American
power steeled his resolve.
He went straight to an Army office here Wednesday morning, filling out
paperwork and answering recruiters' questions. The 24-year-old hopes to
be in basic training in two weeks.
"As an American, I feel like I owe something to my country," Gipe said.
"Our freedom has been put in jeopardy, and I want to be someone who
helps defend that."
Across the country, military recruitment offices reported a jump in visitors
and phone calls in the hours after the New York and Washington attacks.
Recruiters heard from angry teen-agers as well as somber veterans just
wanting to know how they could help.
An Army major in Florida called it a "patriotic swell" among Americans
whose first reaction, after the horror wore off, was an urge to enlist to
defend their country.
In Bakersfield, Calif., the Army recruitment office took dozens of calls and
walk-ins Tuesday and Wednesday – three to four times the normal
activity, station commander Warren K. Hurley said.
At the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga, students who had once
opposed a military draft said the sight of the World Trade Center and
Pentagon attacks had changed their minds.
"I'd be happy to go to the draft now," said Zach Smith, 20.
Calls poured in to Marine Corps recruiting offices in Colorado and
Wyoming, with citizens saying they felt a responsibility to their country and
wanted to know what they could do.
"People need to realize that freedom is never free, and I think that this has
really brought that to the forefront of everybody's minds," said Maj. Mark
Aeppli. "Oftentimes, we take our freedoms for granted, and things like this
unfortunately are what's sometimes needed for people to realize how
precious they are."
Until recently, high-paying jobs in the private sector have made it difficult
for the armed services to attract young people. The challenge has
continued even in a slumping economy.
All branches of the military require recruits to be at least 17, have a high
school diploma, pass a basic aptitude test and undergo a physical.
Processing time – from walk-in to the start of military training – can take
as little as 10 days.
The outpouring Wednesday reminded some officers of what happened
during the Gulf War, when there was also a rise in enlistments. Other
officers said they had never seen interest at this level.
"They say they have their bags packed, and they're ready to support their
country," said Army Capt. Janice Gravely, who served in Bosnia. "I've
seen how other countries don't have the luxuries we have. I am so happy
we have others who are ready to help."
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