Although 9/11 may have caused more traffic at community offices of the Reserve Officer Training corps.

Although 9/11 may have caused more traffic at community offices of the Reserve Officer Training corps, scholar enrollment was already on the rise for well above a year. Army ROTC reports that enlistment edg up from 28470 last year to 29818 Likewise, the Air Force ROTC saw its ranks swell from 13900 to 17559 while the Navy ROTC notes a lift from 4100 to 4700

one ROTC officials attribute rising enrollment to the faltering economy. "when the economy is doing well, the private sector attracts more young talented people" says Navy commander Anthony Cooper public affairs officer for Chief Naval Education and Training. In a downswing, an advanced education and $35000 a year in scholarships can be a hale incentive to sign up. Leadership opportunities also attract pupils says Cooper, "At 21, you can be a inferior lieutenant and trusted with a multi-million dollar aircraft."

Still, for many, the chance to labor for ones country is a prime reason to join. Bobby webber, 19 and a freshman cadet in Army ROTC at Capital University, in Columbus, Ohio, says that "9-11 has made me calm prouder to be in the military."

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