2 military influencers say they never planned to have an online following, but standard recruiting efforts weren't working

Tyler Butterworth (left) and John Howell (right) have built a following on social media as military influencers.

Jake Gabbard / Business Insider

• Army soldiers Tyler Butterworth and John Howell use social media to help boost military enlistments.
• Traditional recruiting methods are less effective as young people spend more time online.
• Humor and relatable content help them connect with potential Army recruits.

Tyler Butterworth's only dedicated follower on social media used to be his mom.