It sticks in my craw that while Utah may lead the nation in red-blooded patriots who say they support President Bush and the war in Iraq, we rank 47th out of 52 (D.C and Puerto Rico are counted)in Recruitment Rate (per thousand 18-24 year-olds). Admittedly, this is FY2004 data and does not include the Marine Corps, but isn't that still too low for a state that professes to be so "patriotic"?

Source: National Priorities Project (http://nationalpriorities.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=175&Itemid=61)

How much is the recruitment rate affected by LDS Missions? Does Mormon practices discourage military service?

I don't know. There was a lively debate going on about this over at the Daily Herald a few weeks ago, and I followed it closely until it broke down into a Mormon-bashing thing, a subject I'm not interested in (BTW, I'm not LDS). I just don't see how a two-year mission could affect a true patriot's decision to enlist. You don't have to enlist when you're 18...you can do it when you return, at age 20, or 21, or older. But if you support this war, and you are young enough and fit enough, you should serve. Period. If you don't, IMO that makes you a chickenhawk. A chickenhawk is all gung-ho for wars, but lacks the courage of their convictions to actually put themselves in harm's way.

Bryan, you're a veteran. What do you think?

If a person is willing to serve with honor and wants to be there, they should be. If a person is looking for a paycheck, than it's not worth it for them and it's not good for the people going into harm's way together. I've found that normally, if you don't join early, you will never join. ROTC, reserve status, or something. There are exceptions, but I don't see many return missionaries joining up. I did serve with a guy who came in, contracted to take a break for his mission, and then will be coming back to the unit. (He's on an LDS mission right now.) I'm not Mormon so I don't really know much about this. There might also be lower enlistment rates in Utah because there are fewer military posts here. I just think there is a Mormon tie. For the same reason, most of the countries linguists are return missionaries. They already have the language skills. Just an interesting point. Also, I agree with you about those who are so pro war and talk the big talk but never serve. I love the guys who know everything there is to know about the Special Forces, weapons, and anything else that's part of their favorite video game, but they themselves haven't served and never will. There are ton's of these guys in Utah.

My brother signed up at 28. A mission didn't affect his decision at all. I think individual factors do. BUT I have to wonder if the early marriage age has something to do with anything.