PEACE CORPS IN THE 21 ST CENTURY: A RHETORICAL ANALYSIS

138In an effort to increase post September 11 th recruitment, the Army announced anew military program on May 12, 2005. Between May 13 and May 16, USA Today, TheWashington Post, The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, and TheChicago Sun-Times ran brief articles about a U.S. Army program offering only 15months of active duty service. In May 2005, the military began recruitment using thePeace Corps and AmeriCorps to entice people. The military touted the “shortest toursever.” 248Under the new provisions in the National Defense Authorization Act, activemilitary service of only two years is required. The rhetorical maneuvering used by themilitary to focus on shortened service tours responded to dwindling recruitment.Recruiters have been accused of unethical recruitment tactics and ordered to takeethics training courses. This severe recruitment problem comes on the heels of an alltime high commitment to service following September 11 th when the country wasbrimming with military volunteers. Since 2003 and the war in Iraq, recruitment formilitary service has reached rock bottom. Major General Michael Rochelle said a varietyof factors dissuade recruits, “. . .from the war in Iraq, to an improving economy, tofamily members and friends of applicants, who . . . often dissuade them fromjoining.” 249The U.S. military used the NCS clause to attract young people to service,including Peace Corps service, which is viewed as “easy” in comparison to militaryservice.In 2005 the U.S. Army began using the NCS act to attract new recruits. Until thispoint in time, the Peace Corps had no idea that the National Defense Authorization act of2002 included legislation allowing those serving in the military an option to volunteer.The Act was passed without consulting the Peace Corps or AmeriCorps organizations, so