Editor’s note: This is the second story in a three-part series about military enlistment. Part three will focus on the Coast Guard.

A surge of patriotism has kept Navy recruitment offices buzzing since the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, but the Marines haven’t felt the same impact, officials said.

The attacks and the uncertainty about the U.S. response have sparked interest in the Navy, said Vince Sansone, chief petty officer.

“There has definitely been a higher show of interest,” he said.

With the possibility of war on the horizon, people have been calling and visiting the Navy recruitment offices with questions about enlisting, Sansone said.

“Most people are coming in here showing their patriotism,” he said. “They want to help their country.”

As with other branches of the military, Navy veterans have stopped by the office to see what they could do to help out, Sansone said. Although most interest has been generated by people between the ages of 25 and 40, veterans from as far back as World War II have expressed interest, he said.

The veterans are anxious to help, but most are “obviously not qualified due to their age,” Sansone said. The Navy gives veterans information about ways to help, such as donating blood and money, he said.

In contrast, interest in the Marines hasn’t increased dramatically, said Staff Sgt. James Haverty.

“There has been a little bit of an increase in people asking more about the Marines,” he said.

It’s impossible to speculate whether enlistment will increase as a result of the Sept. 11 attacks, Haverty said.

A potential Marine must have a high school diploma, be between the ages of 17 and 28 and be mentally, morally and physically qualified, he said.

“One thing about the Marines is that they haven’t dropped their standards in so many years, and we won’t drop our standards,” Haverty said. “People know it’s hard to get into the Marines . the Marines look for only the best.”