Who's in the Army now? A pitch switch aims to get more military recruits
St. PAUL, Minn. — Staff Sgt. Joshua Spearman grips the metal bench and eyes the crowd through his dark, wraparound sunglasses. He's a brawny soldier in a black T-shirt, his left arm covered in tattoos.
He's watching the endless stream of humanity flow past him at the Minnesota State Fair. Families with strollers, couples with just-won stuffed animals, elderly fair goers in motorized wheelchairs. Soon he eyes his prey: a cluster of young men. He tosses out his sales pitch.
"Hey! You know what's good? Eating all the fair snacks and come work it off. I'm so serious, dude! Deadlift challenge!"
The guys in the crowd grin at him but shake their heads.
"No? Pull ups? Nothing?" Spearman presses. "Win your girl a T-shirt, man! It's like the ultimate fair story!"
Spearman has his work cut out for him. Because the Army is struggling to
