National Priorities Project - Upcoming US elections: US Military Recruitment: Low- and middle-income neighborhoods over-represented in Army recruits

For the complete report go to the National Priorities Project or click on this link

Upcoming US elections: US Military Recruitment: Low- and middle-income over-represented in Army recruitment.

NORTHAMPTON, MA - Data released today on US military recruits in fiscal year 2005 shows that low- and middle-income neighborhoods are over-represented in the US Army, while wealthier neighborhoods have become even more under-represented, compared to fiscal year 2004.

A new US ZIP code-level analysis of Army recruits released by the National Priorities Project today shows that neighborhoods with median household incomes between $30,000 - $55,000 became more over-represented in 2005 for active-duty Army recruits. Median household incomes above $55,000, already under-represented in 2004, became more under-represented in 2005.

Although there are plenty of well-educated people in the US armed forces -- Kerry was one of them -- military service has long been an opportunity employer for those with less education and fewer skills than they need to work in the private sector. Indeed, the military sells itself as a place to garner skills and to help pay for higher education.