Military recruiters are working 12 to 16 hour days fighting “surmounting myths and misperceptions about the military shared by recruits and their parents” (Barrett, 1996).  Unfortunately, if the opinion leaders are not informed about recruiting and military life directly by the DOD, such misperceptions about the military will endure.  Armed with accurate information that was gleaned first-hand from a DOD Website, and possibly other media channels, parents and educators may operate as opinion leaders to counter misinformation.
    Recruiting is a major issue for the DOD and public affairs must lend its expertise toward working through the current challenges.  Public affairs can play an active role in reaching out to opinion leaders through established community relations programs and support for recruiters.
 
Back
Forward
Home