Military recruiters set sights on Hispanics

Hispanics went from representing 10.5 percent of the active Army in fiscal year 2001 to 12.6 percent in 2006. As the military struggles to recruit and keep soldiers because of the war in Iraq, the increase is a welcome trend for the Pentagon.

But critics contend that recruiters mislead potential Hispanic recruits and their immigrant parents, who might not speak English. And, they say, Hispanics end up as cannon fodder. A recent study found that Hispanics are over-represented on the front lines, where most fatalities and injuries occur.