Recruiter sees first-hand that U.S. military is good employer
By Staff
John Hicks FCT Staff Writer
U.S. Army Corporal Joshua Smith was 21 years old when Operation Iraqi Freedom was launched in March 2003.
At the time, Smith was living in his hometown of McMinnville, Tenn. After graduating from high school, Smith held a series of factory and fast-food positions that offered no benefits and little job security.
"I knew these were dead-end jobs," said Smith. "The good factory jobs were all leaving for Mexico, and none of my employers provided health insurance."
Then he saw the first televised images of the Iraq invasion. The broadcast had a significant impact on Smith's life.
"I caught some footage by some of the embedded reporters who were with the invasion forces," said Smith. "They showed an M1 Abrams tank going through an Iraqi village, and they were really taking care of business."
Smith said he knew instantly that he wanted to be a part of a tank crew.
"I've always been patriotic," said Smith. "Enlisting was an opportunity to give something back to my country and to be a part of something bigger than myself."
A few months later, Smith was stationed in Ft. Hood, Texas, a member of the 1st Cavalry Division, the premier heavy-armored division in today's Army.
Smith ended up serving a one-year tour of duty in Iraq.
"There are so many positive things going on over there that aren't reported by the media," said Smith. "We've improved the literacy rate of the Iraqi people, especially the women and children. We've fed people who would've otherwise starved. We've built water treatment plants. We've driven insurgents out of towns and neighborhoods and continue to police those areas."
He disagrees with those who think U.S. forces should be withdrawn immediately from Iraq.
"Pulling out would be the worst thing we could possibly do," said Smith. "If we do that, the chance of civil war escalates, and we'd just find ourselves having to go back over there in six months. All that we've accomplished so far would have been for nothing."
Currently, Smith is a recruiter at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station in Florence. He said that many of those who are considering joining the Army are wary of making a commitment because of the situation in Iraq.
"The chances of being injured or killed in a non-combat job are very low," said Smith. "The only people with combat jobs are the people who choose those jobs. That's what they want to do."
Smith said the Army offers job training in more than 200 areas.
"This is the first stable job I've ever had in my life," said Smith. "I don't have to worry about being laid off by an employer after six months because they don't want to provide benefits. I don't have to worry about my job being out-sourced. If I need to go to the doctor or the dentist, it won't cost me half a month's pay."
The Montgomery GI Bill provides a minimum of $37,224 for college tuition for those who enlist for a three- to six-year period.
"There's also the Student Loan Repayment Program," said Smith. "It's for college students who want to reduce the amount of their loan debt."
The program pays off up to $65,000 of an enlistee's student loans over a three- to four-year period.
Those who are interested in serving their country
part-time should check out the Army Reserve, said Smith.
"Reserve soldiers are trained in non-combat jobs and receive drill pay," said Smith. "They're also eligible for part-time GI Bill benefits."
Smith said that the minimum age for joining the Army is 17, with parental consent.
"We want the parents to be involved in the decision," said Smith. "Having been through it myself, I know how important that is."
The maximum age for joining the Army or the Army Reserves is 39. However, prior service enlistees can receive an "age waiver."
Those who wish to enlist must:
