Actions Speak Much Louder than Words (Army re-enlistment rate)

Just a Woman 2005 blog ^ | Monday July 18th, 2005 | Lores Rizkalla

[ajolympian2004]

With all the commentary, protests and Monday morning quarter-backing taking place on a daily basis regarding the Iraq war, I was struck by a USA Today report about the Army's re-enlistment rates.

It turns out that soldier re-enlistment rates are one-third higher than the Army's target. The report attributes the increased numbers to better monetary bonuses and to "a renewed sense of purpose in fighting terrorism."

I'm curious how much air time this particular report will receive in the mainstream media today and this week. "The biggest thing is that soldiers believe in what they are doing," said. Col. Debbra Head, who monitors Army retention at the Pentagon. Perhaps there will be some discussion of the distinction between terrorism and Iraq. Or, maybe they'll be some debate over military funding. How many media outlets, besides Fox News Channel, will actually discuss the man-on-the-ground's perspective of this sense of purpose.

We, myself included, can analyze strategy, motivation and consequences of the war in Iraq and the larger war on terror. But, none of our comfortable commentary says more than a man coming back from the battlefield to re-enlist.

If there's any picture of actions speaking louder than words, that is it.

posted by Lores Rizkalla @ 10:17 AM