by Rocio Zamora Arzola
WHAT’S HAPPENING
- As Latinos fight to keep their head above water in the lagging economy, more are joining the U.S. Army. Although enlistment bonuses and military pay are welcome, the lure of a higher education has proven to be a strong incentive.
- A study by the RAND Corporation found that Latino young adults are most responsive to the military’s educational benefits, whereas black Army applicants respond most to salary and bonus incentives, and whites to military pay (CNN.com 10.21.09).
- According to the study, the percentage of Army recruits who were Latino rose from 6.6% in 1994 to 11.4% in 2007.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
- Steady pay, job training and the opportunity to serve their country is helping to increase military recruitment among young adults overall. But for Latinos, the promise of higher education is a bonus that’s most attractive.
- Companies that are hiring can look to Latino military veterans who’ve taken advantage of educational benefits.
RESOURCES
