ATTENTION! ATTACKS RENEW INTEREST IN MILITARY.

SANTA CLARITA - The sign that hangs on the door is meant to intimidate recruits:

``We'd promise you sleep deprivation, mental torment, and muscles so sore you'll puke, but we don't like to sugarcoat things.''

This is the U.S. Marines' message to young adults who want to join their forces: Their work is serious, and it isn't easy.

Still, the message hasn't been stopping young men and women from signing up since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, but stricter requirements won't allow many to join.

``It's nothing new in this business,'' said U.S. Marine Corp. Gunnery Sgt. Roy Sivertson. ``Technology has gotten a lot more complicated. We need more educational backgrounds.''

Since the Vietnam War draft, qualifications to serve in the armed forces have increased. Now, recruits are required to have a high school diploma - even a General Education Diploma won't work without at least 15 college credits. Recruits also must be a certain height and weight and can't be allergic to wool or bee stings.

There's also the moral aspect. Anyone who has been issued six or more speeding or traffic tickets in which fines were more than $100 are immediately disqualified. And, the forces won't even consider someone who has been arrested for possession of drug paraphernalia, shoplifting, more than one drunk driving conviction, or was considered a runaway or truant as a juvenile.

``Our laws are completely different than yours,'' said Army 1st Sgt. Bill Steele, adding that what civilians consider a misdemeanor could be a felony in the Army. ``It's difficult to get in.''

During the draft, a young man would be sent to war when his number was called. Others were told by judges they had a choice to serve their country or go to jail.

Now, at least eight of 10 people aren't qualified to join some branches of the military.

And those who are qualified must first pass an exam of algebra, geometry, algebra 2 and English. If they pass that test, then they must pass a physical.

These requirements are in place to weed those out who aren't serious about serving their country, and those who can't take the strenuous work, Sivertson said.

That's why the military wants younger men and women to join - but they don't seem to be interested.

Military veterans, law enforcement officers from both the Los Angeles Police Department and the Sheriff's Department, and patriotic citizens have been calling recruiters since the attacks, saying they want to rejoin or sign up. But many are too old - late 20s or early 30s - or they can't meet other requirements.

``There is very high patriotism in that age group,'' Sivertson said. ``It's just the opposite for the high school seniors. They are ducking away.''

Every day, recruiters are at local high schools and community colleges plugging their cause without much response. Sivertson said it could be partly because students are more focused on college careers, or that they just aren't mature enough to join the forces.

``A lot of kids use the military to get discipline so they can use the benefits to continue on with education,'' he said.

While there isn't any threat of a draft, which Steele thinks would take another world war to enact, young men still must register with the Selective Services on their 18th birthdays.

Though there aren't many different faces walking through the recruiters' doors, Steele said the sense of patriotism in the Santa Clarita Valley is overwhelming.

``Normal citizens are stopping by to say thank you for what you do. A woman brought us cake,'' he said.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) U.S. Marine Corp. Gunnery Sgt. Roy Sivertson works the phones as local interest in the military has increased since Sept. 11's attacks.

(2 -- color) ``A lot of kids use the military to get discipline so they can use the benefits to continue on with eduation.''

-Gunnery Sgt. Roy Silverston

U.S. Marine Corp. recruiter

David R. Crane/Staff Photographer