Military careers have been on the rise in Brazil, aligning with the institutional growth of militarism during President Bolsonaro's government (2018-2022).
This project examines whether joining the military is primarily about "becoming" part of a national institution or simply "getting by" economically in a context of financial hardship.
Beginning with Brazil's 2015-16 economic crisis and continuing through the COVID-19 pandemic, the research investigates how these crises influenced young people seeking their first jobs or university degrees, and whether military careers have become a critical avenue in a contracting economy.