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the problem with them having all the contact info is that recruiters are a pain in the ass. i was hounded (and i mean hounded) for years by recruiters. the last year of high school, every summer home from college, and then some more when i came home after graduating. multiple branches, calling several times a week. in hs they'd come by the school to see me.
it's not as easy as just saying "thanks, but no thanks" and you're done. several of my friends went through similar things.
and even if you do agree to talk with them--the will feed you a total line of bs. of the 20 or so friends who did enlist, only 2 don't feel they got screwed over. i eventually spoke with a recruiter and everything sounded pretty good. so my dad insists on coming with me next time i talk to him--and i'm eternally grateful to him for it. needless to say, i never joined up.
that's not to say it isn't right for anyone--just that the military is not right for everyone. recruiters will tell a very different story because that is their job. for kids who don't know any better, why wouldn't they believe it? i'm not stupid, but the recruiter has an answer for everything and it isn't always honest. and when my dad (career military) was sitting next to me, the answers certainly changed from what i'd heard when i was alone. i may have been legal, but my life experience was still that of a child--why wouldn't i believe what the recruiter said? he's the one the military says can answer my questions regarding training and programs--how am i supposed to know he'll lie about it?
i do not have a problem with the military or people enlisting. but just as i don't like credit card companies targetting freshman on a college campus, i don't like recruiters that hound high school students. they intentionally solicit those who are least able to defend against their tactics.
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