Zinna, I know there's a tradition of gun ownership and military service in rural America, but that's not the whole story. Sure some of us have a certain comfort level with guns, but the old story of hillbilly sharpshooters is probably more myth than reality. Sgt York is not representative of rural American. Rural Americans are plenty patriotic, but a big factor is the failing rural economy. Outsourcing factory and mill jobs has hit harder in rural America than anywhere. With fewer jobs rural folks are competing with their neighbors for minimum wage fast food jobs. Better paying jobs are often hours away from where we live, causing hours of daily travel just to keep food on the table. This situation, as they say, is a "tough road to hoe" for people facing the hard facts of a failing rural economy. At the same time, we see the military offering bonuses and tuition help, (very little tuition help) but we can see how rural Americans would view the military as a viable way to make a living. Jim Webb talks about this in his book Born Fighting. Webb believes rural Americans are becoming a "Warrior Caste". I tend to believe it's true, with generation after generation of young rural Americans following in their father's footstep into the military. Something not talked about very much is the fact many rural Americans use the National Guard as a part-time job. Subsequently, we often see two generations, father and son in the same Guard unit. Now these Guard units are being called up in record numbers. These units are often poorly supplied and ofter don't have the latest in up-armored vehicles and weapons. It's a complicated story and I haven't told it all, but for sure we're seeing more and more rural Americans turning to the military not just for patriotic reasons but as a way to solve their family economic difficulties.

perhaps more helpful if # breakout reflected rural deaths within each state, rather than overall per capital density of each state, since as you know, large & populated states also have rural expanses. certainly, one does not diminish the death or sacrifice sustained by any state, whether it totals 384, 320 or 19... nor for that matter urban, suburban or rural. a more complete posting/study would also include a breakout by socio-economic standing and educational levels/opportunities as you appear to imply, but the scope of study did not cover, i surmise.

hmmm Nick Stump. A rural Montana National Gurd/Regular Army infantry sergeant is going to comment on some of what you said - agreed rural South & West warriors [and I use that word lightly as in Afghanistan & Iraq about 15% of the Army and probably a bit more Marines go "outside the wire" i.e. into combat] it is often to make ends meet, but also a since belief in nation and duty. We used to joke "welfare with honor" or "duty honor paycheck" I knew men who were estatic to deploy, as these seasonal NG soldiers would finally get health care for their kids, or wife. But the patriotism is as strong as can be, not by word but by act. And I get choked up when the Natl Anthem is played. My platoon was loggers, cowboys, construction, seasonal resort workers, miners.... but the other half were college students in varying times in college from starting to one semester left. Which brings me to tuition help. Why do you think they were in the military but for tuition? It is how I got mine including a masters. And the "myth" of "hillbilly" sharpshooters... what is a "hillbilly"? But I will tell you, we shot for designated marksmen positions [PC for sniper] and the best from our MT ID OR brigade shot on average 48 out of 50 at 500meters. We were in a division also made up of PA NJ NY NG troops, and their best were hitting 5 out 0f 50 at 500m. In the regular Army even at basic the drill sergeants asked "who is from MT or WY? There's your best shot" I still do not know what a hillbilly is ["poor white trash" I suspect] but rural folks like to hunt. In MT WY ID ... the West that means coyotes, elk, antelope, mtn goats etc at long ranges at very unique mountain angles in wind… and snow. We are as patriotic as we are poor, and throw into that a Native warrior "caste" [whatever the F that means]. Look at any war, you always see the West on top of casualty stats. Into all of this I would put a lot of faith in boys from NC GA TX TN etc as good soldiers, patriotic, poor and good shots. It is the blue urban areas that are so pussified, narcissistic, shallow and mundane in their culture of comfort and wealth. As one of the 15% it is a trip to return across the US and see this with a bit of angst/anger.