In an effort to recruit more college graduates for military service, beginning in October Americans can sign on for a scaled-back 18-month military stint in the service, rather than the traditional four-year requirement, and receive a $5,000 bonus or $18,000 in student loan forgiveness.
U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh, D-Ind., and Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., sponsored the National Call to Service Act, a provision of the 2003 Defense Authorization Bill approved by Congress last year.
Mark Kornblau, communications director for Bayh, said the bill could help college graduates leery of making the traditional four-year military commitment before they begin their professional career.
He also said the provision was drafted before Sept. 11, and the military's shortage of college graduates preceded the wars on terrorism and Iraq.
\We've seen first hand, I think, in recent military conflicts and even the current conflict in Iraq, the high level of sophistication of U.S. weapons systems and communication systems, and these are operated often by people with extensive educational background and skills training in these areas,"" Kornblau said.
Sgt. 1st Class Charles Luedtke, a recruiter at the U.S. Army Recruiting Station, 73 University Square, said college graduates are more easily groomed into specific military positions that require more expertise, especially those in high-tech fields, compared with soldiers who do not have any post-high school education.
UW-Madison students had mixed opinions on the new law.
Ryan Reich, a sophomore, said the shortened commitment could influence his decision to join the military after college.
""If I'm having trouble paying off my loans, I would definitely consider that--especially if it's just for 18 months,"" he said.
Justin Dohms, a UW-Madison senior, said he would not join the military and expressed concerns that the recruitment of high school and college students was just a marketing scheme.
""By selling them these ideals of compensations and telling them the soldier's lifestyle--you can buy a new car, go to school and get to see the world--these kids get hooked ... But the fine print says if we're going to war, we're going to call your name,"" he said.
