RECRUITERS COMPETE TO LURE PEOPLE MILITARY SEEKS `BEST AND BRIGHTEST'.

Byline: JUDY O'ROURKE Staff Writer

SANTA CLARITA -- Recruiters for the four branches of the military might sometimes be competing against each other, but with the country at war and a constant need for recruits they are also competing against other employers.

The local military recruiting center has swapped its worn, drab appearance for a sharper image designed to entice young folks shopping for ``what's next?''

``We're always looking for the best and brightest Americans (and) it's easier to encourage recruits to come into our office if our office looks good,'' said Petty Officer 1st Class David McKee, a spokesman for the Navy. ``If they start looking a little worn around the edges, it's hard to compete with other companies in the community.''

The Soledad Canyon Road recruiting center has been doubled in size, giving each military branch its own office and distinct decor instead of sharing one nondescript space.

The Navy's three-person office is outfitted with heavy traditional-style dark-stained wood desks, a model aircraft carrier perched on a cabinet.

The Army's larger seven-person office contains sleek black cabinets and black upholstered chairs emblazoned with gold stars.

``It shows more professionalism,'' said Sgt. Eric Luse, a recruiter.

Atop a file cabinet are models of an M1 Abrams main battle tank and an Apache helicopter, which were sent by a recruit in basic training and which are reminders of the real thing.

A private-sector public-relations specialist said every bit of edge helps.

``They go up against the Wal-Marts of the world (and) unless you're already on their team they have an enormous disadvantage,'' said publicist Daniel Bernstein of Warren Cowan & Associates in Hollywood. ``It's one thing going after those ready to join the military. The truth is, when you're going after the others who've been shut out of the $12-an-hour job market you've got to make it seem more enticing.''

An Army spokesman said Santa Clarita's recruiters did a ``pretty darn good'' job meeting their goals for the past fiscal year, ending Sept. 30, and recruits scored better than the national average on aptitude tests. He acknowledged the challenge of filling the jobs.

``Other employers don't try to recruit people to go to war,'' said Gail Anderson, chief of advertising and public affairs for the Army recruiting battalion in Los Angeles. ``You're not going to go to Wendy's and McDonald's or Northrop Grumman or Boeing ... they're not going to expect you to defend the country.''

The three-person Marine office has a wall of camouflage netting and sniper model perched on a desk. The Marines say they aren't offering just another job in the marketplace.

``We're still recruiting from the same demographic (of high school graduates) but the Marines are searching for individuals who want intangibles: honor, courage and commitment,'' said Staff Sgt. Bobbie Bryant, a spokeswoman for the Marines. ``I don't feel we're in competition.''

U.S. Air Force representatives could not be reached for comment. The recruiter in the one-person office was out, but cartoons taped to the entry left behind a hint of humor. One showed an Army recruiting officer crouched in his office, his hand holding a string tied to a wad of bucks just outside.

judy.orourke(at)dailynews.com

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(color) Soon-to-be soldier Gareth Gorden reads up on Army life at the new recruiting office for the Army along Soledad Canyon Road.

David Crane/Staff Photographer