Anderson with the Army said, "Is it (recruiting) tougher? Yes and no. There are those who believe in the cause and want to step up, and there are those who would have joined if we were not in a conflict and say no thanks. I'm hitting almost 100 percent of my goal, so I wouldn't say it's impossible."

Bradney with the Marines notes, "The United States in its history, except for one other time (the Revolutionary War), has never fought a protracted conflict without the draft." He said until now, "At no time have we really tested the all-volunteer vision. . . . Volunteer service is a great thing. American society needs to understand that is good."

Of course, the federally mandated student lists and access and the perks for them and teachers help with that persuasion.

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E-mail: lee@desnews.com