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Recession a boon to Spain's army Recession a boon to Spain's army
(1 day later)
By Oana Lungescu BBC News, Madrid Polished breast-plates glint in the sun as the royal guard is changedBy Oana Lungescu BBC News, Madrid Polished breast-plates glint in the sun as the royal guard is changed
Spain has the worst unemployment rate in the EU, but not everyone is complaining.Spain has the worst unemployment rate in the EU, but not everyone is complaining.
One of the main beneficiaries of the crisis has been the armed forces. With youth unemployment standing at 36%, the highest in Europe, the number of army recruits has almost doubled.One of the main beneficiaries of the crisis has been the armed forces. With youth unemployment standing at 36%, the highest in Europe, the number of army recruits has almost doubled.
Just before 0900, young men line up outside the army recruitment office in the centre of Madrid. Once the doors open, they go through a security check, then file into a spacious office lined with posters of smiling young people in uniform.Just before 0900, young men line up outside the army recruitment office in the centre of Madrid. Once the doors open, they go through a security check, then file into a spacious office lined with posters of smiling young people in uniform.
They have come to meet representatives of the army, navy and air force, in the hope of finding a new future.They have come to meet representatives of the army, navy and air force, in the hope of finding a new future.
Most of those seeking a military career are driven by Spain's stark economic realities. "I am here because of the crisis," says Emilio, 18.Most of those seeking a military career are driven by Spain's stark economic realities. "I am here because of the crisis," says Emilio, 18.
"I need a job and it pays a regular wage. I was a locksmith and labourer but they fired me four months ago. My benefit is coming to an end, so I am here because I need to eat," he says."I need a job and it pays a regular wage. I was a locksmith and labourer but they fired me four months ago. My benefit is coming to an end, so I am here because I need to eat," he says.
"At the moment there is not much work around so the army is good because it is a stable job," adds Felipe, also 18. "Everything else I have looked at is temporary, so I am after something more secure.""At the moment there is not much work around so the army is good because it is a stable job," adds Felipe, also 18. "Everything else I have looked at is temporary, so I am after something more secure."
Jorge, 20, already has a good job close to home, but he wants to join the paratroopers or the special forces. "In my case," he says, "it is a vocation, unlike lots of people here who see it as a job."Jorge, 20, already has a good job close to home, but he wants to join the paratroopers or the special forces. "In my case," he says, "it is a vocation, unlike lots of people here who see it as a job."
CareerCareer
It is not just locals who are applying.It is not just locals who are applying.
Robert, 19, is from Ecuador. He wants to join the army because it is an opportunity to study for free.Robert, 19, is from Ecuador. He wants to join the army because it is an opportunity to study for free.
Other immigrants see it as a way of acquiring Spanish citizenship. Latin Americans can account for 9% of the Spanish armed forces.Other immigrants see it as a way of acquiring Spanish citizenship. Latin Americans can account for 9% of the Spanish armed forces.
Here in Madrid, applications have surged by a third. Col Juan Carlos Aneiros Gallardo believes the surge is due to recent improvements in the living conditions, professional training and career prospects for young recruits.Here in Madrid, applications have surged by a third. Col Juan Carlos Aneiros Gallardo believes the surge is due to recent improvements in the living conditions, professional training and career prospects for young recruits.
"Naturally, we are happy," he told me, "because this allows the armed forces to make a better selection and raise not just the quantity but also the quality of our soldiers.""Naturally, we are happy," he told me, "because this allows the armed forces to make a better selection and raise not just the quantity but also the quality of our soldiers."
In other parts of Spain, there are four applicants for each vacancy.In other parts of Spain, there are four applicants for each vacancy.
For some the army brings citizenship, for others a steady wageFor some the army brings citizenship, for others a steady wage
For the first time since the country abolished compulsory service in 2001, the army will not have to struggle to reach its full force of 86,000.For the first time since the country abolished compulsory service in 2001, the army will not have to struggle to reach its full force of 86,000.
Young recruits may dream of parading on horseback, polished breast-plates glinting in the sun, at the solemn changing of the royal guard. But some of these soldiers served in Afghanistan.Young recruits may dream of parading on horseback, polished breast-plates glinting in the sun, at the solemn changing of the royal guard. But some of these soldiers served in Afghanistan.
The paramilitary Guardia Civil, also on show at the royal palace in Madrid, are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism and take part in missions across the world, including Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti and Africa.The paramilitary Guardia Civil, also on show at the royal palace in Madrid, are on the frontline in the fight against terrorism and take part in missions across the world, including Bosnia, Kosovo, Haiti and Africa.
Julian Perez, from the officers' union, says they too are getting more interest from young people. "This year we have 40,000 applicants and the previous one we had 27,000 applicants," Mr Perez explains.Julian Perez, from the officers' union, says they too are getting more interest from young people. "This year we have 40,000 applicants and the previous one we had 27,000 applicants," Mr Perez explains.
"I am absolutely not surprised, because the economic situation forced them to do it. Every time we have an economic crisis, people want to have security.""I am absolutely not surprised, because the economic situation forced them to do it. Every time we have an economic crisis, people want to have security."
Poor prospectsPoor prospects
Three o'clock is lunchtime at the warehouse-like canteen of Spain's leading university, the Complutense. On its sprawling campus, 80,000 students take courses in anything, from arts to engineering.Three o'clock is lunchtime at the warehouse-like canteen of Spain's leading university, the Complutense. On its sprawling campus, 80,000 students take courses in anything, from arts to engineering.
But a recent study shows that 93% of Spanish students are seriously worried about their job prospects.But a recent study shows that 93% of Spanish students are seriously worried about their job prospects.
Carlos Pascual graduated from the Complutense two years ago. He also studied in the Netherlands and worked in Prague for a while. But he has been unemployed for three months, after getting fired from a travel agency in Madrid because of the crisis.Carlos Pascual graduated from the Complutense two years ago. He also studied in the Netherlands and worked in Prague for a while. But he has been unemployed for three months, after getting fired from a travel agency in Madrid because of the crisis.
It is not how he imagined his life. "I studied at university for five years, I travelled abroad to learn English and thinking of working in a factory or as a bartender is quite depressing, " Carlos says.It is not how he imagined his life. "I studied at university for five years, I travelled abroad to learn English and thinking of working in a factory or as a bartender is quite depressing, " Carlos says.
Carlos is depressed about being unemployed but hopes for the bestCarlos is depressed about being unemployed but hopes for the best
"I decided to go to my parents' house because I do not want to keep on paying rent. I started a little piece of my life as an adult and I have to restart," he says."I decided to go to my parents' house because I do not want to keep on paying rent. I started a little piece of my life as an adult and I have to restart," he says.
Carlos is philosophical about the prospects for his generation: "I hope it will be a good future, but now we are a bit lost."Carlos is philosophical about the prospects for his generation: "I hope it will be a good future, but now we are a bit lost."
Lourdes Garcia, the head of the university career centre, says many people who graduated years ago are coming back looking for advice.Lourdes Garcia, the head of the university career centre, says many people who graduated years ago are coming back looking for advice.
"We are seeing lots of people who have been fired from the media, as well as people from advertising and architecture," Mr Garcia says."We are seeing lots of people who have been fired from the media, as well as people from advertising and architecture," Mr Garcia says.
"We have also been advising quite a few managers, executives who had very senior positions, great CVs, but who have lost their jobs.""We have also been advising quite a few managers, executives who had very senior positions, great CVs, but who have lost their jobs."
'Fear and frustration''Fear and frustration'
At the end of a long hot day, I happen upon a sort of late-night picnic in a square in central Madrid. It is just before midnight but still warm.At the end of a long hot day, I happen upon a sort of late-night picnic in a square in central Madrid. It is just before midnight but still warm.
About 200 young people are sitting cross-legged on the ground in small groups, eating pizza and swigging beer from cans. Every few minutes, Chinese traders come offering to sell more beer.About 200 young people are sitting cross-legged on the ground in small groups, eating pizza and swigging beer from cans. Every few minutes, Chinese traders come offering to sell more beer.
Arancha and her friends are all students about to graduate. How do they feel about the future? The first word on everybody's lips is fear.Arancha and her friends are all students about to graduate. How do they feel about the future? The first word on everybody's lips is fear.
Spanish students are not optimistic about finding jobs after graduationSpanish students are not optimistic about finding jobs after graduation
"I feel fear about it," Arancha says. "I am going to keep studying, but it is difficult. There is no job, no money, anything.""I feel fear about it," Arancha says. "I am going to keep studying, but it is difficult. There is no job, no money, anything."
"My sister graduated two years ago and she is really nervous too because everybody she knows is getting fired," she says."My sister graduated two years ago and she is really nervous too because everybody she knows is getting fired," she says.
"When I think about the future, I feel frustration and fear," Tere adds, "fear that I will not be able to do something that I really want to do, that I feel happy with.""When I think about the future, I feel frustration and fear," Tere adds, "fear that I will not be able to do something that I really want to do, that I feel happy with."
Daniel thinks that Spain will find it difficult for years to come to create jobs for all the young people about to graduate, so he is planning to look for work abroad.Daniel thinks that Spain will find it difficult for years to come to create jobs for all the young people about to graduate, so he is planning to look for work abroad.
But it is not something they like to talk about. "Here in Spain, we like to take it easy," Arancha laughs. "It is hot, we are all here and I try not to think too much about it!"But it is not something they like to talk about. "Here in Spain, we like to take it easy," Arancha laughs. "It is hot, we are all here and I try not to think too much about it!"
With little to look forward to, the motto for Spain's young jobless seems to be Que sera, sera.With little to look forward to, the motto for Spain's young jobless seems to be Que sera, sera.