We usually call that grooming.

Recruiters groom children to kill.

Yup. I graduated high school at 17 and they were after me those last two years, at least. I was told I could have any job I wanted in the Navy due to my test scores. It was flattering and tempting.

I guess they probably do now because like 90% of high school grads have or did something that makes them ineligible to join and if they want more recruits they need to get students to not do things that make them ineligible and that might mean reaching out more than six months before they’re old enough to join.

At least you can’t get drafted before you’re old enough to vote anymore.

It makes perfect sense when you remember that the worth of human life and ethics aren't factored in when people decide how the country works.

When I was in high school our home phone number was published in the phone book and military recruiters called it a few times when I was getting close to finishing high school.

I’m not giving my kid a cell phone if I think them having it would endanger them. If unsolicited phone calls endanger them they shouldn’t have a cell phone. They should know what information shouldn’t be given out to strangers over the phone, on a call or via message. They should know how to block numbers and recognize calls that are best left to voicemail, &c.