Locally, Marines take them to bases near San Diego every year. The Navy takes them to its Great Lakes training facility in Illinois. The Army takes them to Fort Benning, Ga. The Air Force takes them to Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio.

"Mix in some pro-Army selections with open-minded neutrals and undecided influencers. Choose people who can help," an Army manual says about whom to invite for such trips. It adds, "They are not junkets or rewards for cooperation with recruiters."

Short with the Air Force said, "It is very important to U.S. Air Force recruiting . . . to have people who are influential to students educated with the most up to date and accurate information" — which is provided on such trips.

Dan Puleio, spokesman for the Navy recruiting district in Denver, which includes Utah, said, "We're excited to inform educators about opportunities in the Navy," and such trips are part of that.

Besides trips, recruiters also often feed local educators while seeking their help. As an Army manual says, "A luncheon presentation of what the Army offers young people will enhance your relationship with the entire school faculty."

It also instructs, "Deliver donuts and coffee for the faculty once a month. This will help in scheduling classroom presentations and advise teachers of the many Army opportunities."

Helpful students

The military also recruits students to help recruit other students.

A Navy recruiting manual instructs, "Enlist a male senior in each school as early in the school year as possible. . . . The 1st Senior is the initial source of referrals, lists and other information about the school. He should be influential in the school because of a positive status (class officer, athlete, child of faculty, etc.)."

An Air Force manual adds, "Get as many new seniors as possible to attend the Commander's Call — make them honorary recruiters. Solicit their support to help recruiting efforts."

Also, meeting with those student helpers may increase overall exposure at a school. As a Marines manual says, "Arrange frequent meetings with keyman and other poolees at school to continually enhance exposure to the rest of the student body."

Test with an agenda

The military offered its Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test at two of every three high schools in Utah this year. Students are told it will help them choose a career or prepare for college, but military manuals say its primary purpose is to identify which potential recruits are qualified and interested in the military.