Recent graduate Kevin Doherty went to Bentley College and majored in corporate finance and accounting with hopes of becoming a financial planner for middle-class families.
“I definitely thought I was going to go right into the corporate world,” said Doherty who, at a 23-years-old, found himself facing a tough job market in the midst of a recession with more than $100,000 in student loans to repay.
Instead of taking a commission based job in the struggling world of finance he did an about-face and joined the Army, an option that had always been at the back of his mind.
“Definitely the stability of the market is one of the decisions that really influenced me. I didn’t want to be stuck with those bills and not be able to afford it,” said Doherty, who says he was also inspired by the military service of his two brothers and wanted a chance to give back to his country and prove his generation has it’s share of patriots.
“We’ve always had that image… all the other generations have viewed us as somebody that doesn’t care, that only thinks about themselves and I think it’s kind of our way to prove that our image isn’t just about that,” said Doherty. “We actually do care, it’s not about, me me.”
He played football in college and is looking forward to Officer Candidate School where he’ll get a chance to put his team skills to use, aiming to lead an infantry unit.
“I feel like that’s the place where you’re going to have the most influence because you’re going to have 40 guys under you and you’re responsible, but, it’s not just those 40 guys. It’s their families. You get to really know them and you get to have serious care for them and that way you can all work together to accomplish the missions that you have set,” said Doherty, who believes his resume will be stronger when he completes his Army service. “That’s type of responsibility I think any business person is going to view as a serious commitment and character building position.”
The Department of Defense reports that recruiting numbers are up across the board for all branches.
In 2008, the military saw 8,138 college graduates enlist, meaning recruits with at least an associate degree. In 2009, the number went up to 9,448.
Major Gen. Don Campbell, the commanding general of the United States Army Recruiting Command, says the Army had an exceptional year for recruiting in 2009 and expects the same success this year and next. He admits there are economic factors at play.
Students are graduating from college and facing tough competition for jobs in an economy where unemployment numbers have risen dramatically.
“Young men and women are looking around and saying ‘what are my options?”
Campbell believes the Army offers not just the chance to expand on the education graduates already have but excellent opportunities to repay college loans. Plus, the military is making strides to offer students opportunities in their fields of interest. The Army is especially interested in grads with engineering and technical backgrounds to meet the growing demands related to advances in science and technology. Recruiters are targeting universities that turn out smart, tech savvy graduates- Duke, Georgia State, Brown and Cornell, just to name a few.
“It is the economy,” said Major General Campbell. “But, I don’t want to give it too much credit.”
Campbell said he’s seeing a new generation of soldiers eager to become leaders and willing to sign up for military service in the midst of two wars. He says they deserve the real credit.
“I don’t think there’s anything more noble you can do than serve your country,” Campbell said.
And serving is what Kevin Doherty is most excited about despite the risks laid out by recruiters.
“They’re going to tell you- ‘you’re going to go to Afghanistan’ and I had no problems or reservations about it because I definitely want to go over there,” said Doherty, who leaves for boot camp in the Fall. “If I’m willing to give up my life, that somebody had done before me, I feel like I’ll make a big impact over there either way.”