Military recruiters are newest MySpace buddy

In a sign that social networking may have officially jumped the shark, MTV and Wal-Mart have recently joined the Internet craze with social sites of their own, urging young audiences to connect with friends under their brand umbrellas.

In that light, it may not be long before the U.S. government unveils a social network to sharpen its image with young voters. Think of it? MyAmerica.com.

At least one arm of the government is already angling that way. According to an article Monday from the Associated Press, the U.S. Marine Corps is finding recruits on MySpace.com, the most popular social network with tens of millions of teens and twenty-somethings.

In January, the U.S. Marine Corps posted a profile on MySpace, with promotional videos and links to an online application for recruits. So far, more than 12,000 Web surfers have signed on as "friends" of the Marines, according to the report, and as many as 430 people have completed applications at the group's Web site.

Don't be surprised if the U.S. Navy, Army, or even the Bush Administration are next.