We always said that the military has 59,040,057 voters to choose from if they want able-bodied people who believe in the cause.
Someone's thinking. The Army has enlisted NASCAR to dip into its fan base of hardcore Bush supporters and find new recruits for the Iraq Nightmare. From NASCAR's own website:
Army uses NASCAR to bolster recruiting
Joe Nemechek is "G.I. Joe" to many NASCAR fans, a nickname stemming from the GoArmy.com logo on the hood and bumper of his Chevy Monte Carlo.
Every lap he leads and every pole he wins puts the Army in millions of living rooms nationwide.
Sponsoring Nemechek is part of a military recruiting strategy, which includes advertising at football games and rodeos, aimed at maintaining the all-volunteer force during the war in Iraq and the hunt for Osama bin Laden.
"We have to get the best young men and women in the Army to continue," said Tom Tiernan, a 22-year Army veteran who is now a civilian employee leading the marketing program.
How do they do this? Look after the fold...
The Army has a traveling exhibition for NASCAR events, filling four semitrailers and covering 12,000 square feet, giving recruits a version of shock and awe.
Visitors can view the latest Army equipment, including uniforms and weapons, said Guy Morgan, Army account director. Other activities include laser target shooting and a challenge involving changing tires on a stock car.
Everyone who enters the exhibition area must sign a liability form, which also generates some leads for the Army, Morgan said.
At all events, the Army also hopes to meet parents who may be reluctant about their children enlisting.
"When senior officers are out there, they can talk to parents and tell them that the Army will do everything possible to protect their sons and daughters," Tiernan said.