Issues@Hand

AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs

October 2014 – The U.S. Department of Defense keeps strict demographic statistics on recruitment. While media outlets pay close attention to race and gender, one demographic that does not get much media attention is the state of origin for soldiers. According to 2013 data, 44% of all military recruits came from the South, even though it only has 36% of the country’s 18- to 24-year-old civilian population. The Northeast region of America saw 14% of its young population enlist. It holds 18% of the country’s young adults. States with the highest enlistment included Georgia, Florida and Maine, with more than seven military volunteers per 1,000 18- to 24-year-olds. The lowest states included Nevada and North Dakota with less than three per 1,000.

ijreview.com, 7/20/14