Applications to the Canadian Forces were up 250 per cent on the Prairies this spring compared to last spring, according to a military recruiter who credits the jump to the current mission in Afghanistan and a new approach to recruiting.

Capt. Chuck Cadick, an attraction officer at the Canadian Forces recruiting centre in Winnipeg, said he was surprised that the Afghanistan mission factored into the 250 per cent jump in applicants between April and June this year, compared to the same period last year.

"A year ago people were saying, 'Will I have to go to Afghanistan?' People are now saying, 'Will I get a chance to go to Afghanistan?' " Cadick said Friday.

"It's even blowing our mind. People are coming in very, very patriotic, wanting to do something for the country, wanting a challenge."

The significant rise in spring applications is part of an overall eight per cent increase in applications so far this year, compared to last year. Usually, one recruit comes out of every 2½ applications, Cadick noted.

He added the Canadian Forces has been proactive in finding recruits this summer, partly because schools, colleges and other traditional sources of recruits were closed during the summer.

As well, the military is trying to increase recruitment by 8,000 people over the next three years.

"Normally we recruit about 13,000-and-change per year," he said.

"For the last quarter where we have the figures for, which is April-May-June, we're up 250 per cent here in this locality, which is Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Northwestern Ontario."

Recruiters have been targeting sporting events, summer festivals and even beaches. The Canadian Forces even had a race car decorated in a Canadian Forces design, thanks to a sponsorship with the Red River Co-Op Speedway.

"That's one of the things we're looking for to do, is finding out what the target audience is," he said.

"I've asked recruiters to dress a little differently … go onto the beach, hand out water, and just make yourself visible."

Cadick himself had been at Winnipeg Goldeyes baseball games, the Morris Stampede, and community festivals.

He said he may see 50 to 80 applications arrive in the week following an appearance.