Utah's Army enlistments stay among lowest in nation

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Utah finished third-to-last in the country in per capita Army enlistments last year, the National Priorities Project says.

The state's participation in the Army fell nearly 20 percent last year, extending the Beehive State's position near the bottom of contributors to the active-duty Army. Only North Dakota and Washington, D.C., contributed fewer soldiers per capita.

Utah's rate of contribution to the Army was less than half the national average.

In the past, demographic researchers have suggested that Utah's low enrollment is tied to its predominantly Mormon population. Many male members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serve as missionaries when they are 19 years old, a time when others are considering enlisting in the military.

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Information from: The Salt Lake Tribune

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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