Next week,

the U.S. Army will launch a full-scale educational campaign at three local

high schools.

Students will

learn about Army careers from the horse's mouth soldiers on the front

lines as intelligence analysts, image analysts and broadcast journalists,

said Capt. Aquanita Bonds.

The Market

Strike event will be at Sandy Creek and McIntosh high schools Thursday,

Jan. 24, and at Starr's Mill High School Friday, Jan. 25.

The goal of

the event is to showcase the Army as a "life choice" and not

a fallback for those leaving high school, Bonds said.

"You can

still do the military and college, and you can get $50,000 for college

when you're done," Bonds said. She added that with broadcast journalism,

recruits will get experience that could take years to get in the private

sector.

The soldiers

will speak directly with students about what the best classes are to take

for their particular careers, the places they have been with the Army

and the exact duties of their jobs, Bonds said. Speakers also will bring

in equipment for demonstrations, she added.

Recruiters

will also be on hand, although their presentation will be brief, Bonds

noted.

"We have

212 careers where you can serve your country in the military," Bonds

said. "We're trying to raise awareness by bringing in military assets."