Army Reserve attempting PR makeover, and new fears about draft

The Center for Media and Democracy is reporting that the Army Reserve is hiring a Virginia-based consulting firm to help the military branch deal with its negative image:

Management Analysis Technologies, a small Virginia-based marketing andconsulting firm owned by a Vietnam veteran, won "a competitive reviewto advise the Office of the Chief of the Army Reserve on its strategiccommunications," reports O'Dwyer's. The contract is worth$510,000 a year and involves "internal and external communicationsefforts targeting soldiers, families, the public, and Congressionalaudiences" on the Army Reserve's "vision of the future." Specificresponsibilities include "researching, writing, editing and reviewingexecutive-level communications like speeches and Congressionaltestimony, as well as development of external PR and evaluation andsupport of existing programs like the Reserve's Ambassador Program."Additionally, the firm will "find and book media opportunities forReserve Chief Lt. Gen. James Helmly." The PR firms Lincoln Group and CorpComm Group were among those submitting unsuccessful proposals for the Army Reserve contract.

Speaking of which, the increasingly difficult task of recruiting young adults for the National Guard is prompting some to worry about the possible reinstatement of the draft.  Did you know that although the draft does not exist as of now, there still are draft boards?  In fact, a column in Monday's Metro West Daily News explains how draft boards are ready just in case there is one:

There are 35 draft boardsthroughout Massachusetts, each made up of five members who would -- ifa draft is reinstated -- decide whether to grant drafteespostponements, deferments, exemptions and conscientious objector status.

Mark my words: the only thing keeping 80% of Americans from favoring an immediate withdrawal of U.S. forces from Iraq is the fact that there is not a draft.  Imagine if that changed.