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BLACK recruits into the United States (U.S.) military has plunged by more than one-third since the Afghanistan and Iraq wars began and other job prospects soared.

Relatives of potential recruits are increasingly discouraging them from signing up. Data obtained by The Associated Press (AP) revealed.

All four military services experienced the drop in active duty recruits. But the military service rebuff becomes even more obvious when National Guard and Reserve recruitment was considered.

The findings reflected the growing unpopularity of the wars, particularly among family members and other adults who exert influence over high school and college students considering the military as an opportunity to serve their country and further education or build a career.

Walking past the Army recruiting station in downtown Washington, D.C., last past week, Sean Glover said he has done all he can to talk black relatives out of joining the military.

"I don't think it's a good time. I don't support the government's efforts here and abroad," said Glover, 36.

The message comes as no surprise to the Pentagon where efforts are under way to increase the size of the Army and Marine Corps.

Marine Commandant Gen. James T. Conway agreed that the bloodshed in Iraq - where more than 3,540 U.S. troops have died - is the biggest deterrent for prospective recruits.

Pentagon data showed that there were nearly 51,500 new black recruits for active duty and reserves in 2001. The number last year fell by 38 per cent to less than 32,000.

When only active duty troops are counted, the number of black recruits went from more than 31,000 in 2002 to about 23,600 last year, almost one-quarter fewer. The decline is particularly stark for the Army.

Meanwhile, the U.S.-led coalition and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) forces fighting insurgents in Afghanistan have killed at least 203 civilians so far this year - surpassing the 178 civilians killed in militant attacks, an AP tally indicated.

Insurgency attacks and military operations have surged in recent weeks, and in the past 10 days, more than 90 civilians have been killed by air-strikes and artillery fire targeting Taliban insurgents, said President Hamid Karzai.