Posted on 06/29/2005 1:47:12 PM PDT by West Coast Conservative
The U.S. Army, hard pressed to attract new soldiers amid the Iraq war, exceeded its monthly recruiting goal in June, ending four straight months of shortfalls, the top U.S. military officer said on Wednesday.
But the Army, three-quarters through fiscal 2005, remained about 7,800 behind its year-to-date target and still was in danger of missing its first annual recruiting goal since 1999, officials said. The fiscal year ends on Sept. 30.
"I will tell you that for the month of June, the United States Army active recruiting is over 100 percent of its goal, which is a turnaround from where they've been the last several months," Air Force Gen. Richard Myers, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told an audience of Pentagon employees.
"So there's a bit of good news in here. We'll see how it works out the rest of the year," Myers added.
Myers did not provide specific figures, but military officials provided preliminary data showing the active-duty Army exceeded its June recruiting goal of 5,650 by 507 and the Army Reserve topped its June target of 3,610 by 41. The final official numbers for June, set to be released by the Pentagon on July 11, could be slightly different, the officials said.
The active-duty Army's goal for fiscal 2005 is 80,000 recruits. The Army provides most of the roughly 138,000 U.S. ground troops in Iraq, with the Marine Corps providing a lesser number.
Army officials have said potential recruits and their families have been wary of service during the Iraq war, and civilian job opportunities also are affecting recruiting.
In May, the active-duty Army lowered its recruiting goal and still missed it by 25 percent. It also fell short in February, March and April. Army officials have been expressing optimism about a recruiting turnaround in the summer months after high school graduates begin to decide on careers.
Myers' comments came a day before Army officials were scheduled to testify before Congress about recruiting problems.
June is HS Graduation, facing student loans, and deciding what one is going to do with life.
No mystery.
First, the Marines have suffered disproportionate fatalities in the war in Iraq. They are about 30 percent of all combat deaths, yet make up only 11 percent of current American forces. But in May the Marines slightly exceeded their recruitment goal. The Air Force and Navy likewise met 100 percent of their requirements. The Army traditionally has had the hardest time meeting its targets, given the reputation — warranted or not — that the other branches offer more specialized training and skills that will better enhance civilian careers without the same level of risk as ground combat.And most articles fail to mention is that to date, the Army has exceeded its retention goal by 107 percent. The Army National Guard retention was 106.5 percent and Air National Guard retention was 105 percent. Every other branch of the service met or exceeded retention goals.Second, the year is only half over. The Army may well rebound and meet its full 2005 quota, as nearly all branches of the active services (the Army and Air National Guard were exceptions) did in 2004.
That this is happening in June is good news. New grads don't enlist early in the summer because they are hurting for money and can't find a job. They haven't really started looking yet. These young Americans are joining because they are patriots. May God bless them and protect them.
Major media now sad...
Anyone bother to read the Father's day edition of Newsweek and its salute to Fathers and sons in the service?
I got to the last couple of paragraphs of the story, which I thought to be a human interest piece or at least somewhat neutral to the military...but then the liberal jurno writing the article started to bash the military. I wanted to hurl.
We need a clip of Nelson doing his "Ha-ha!"
BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA! The liberals must be soooooooooooo angry!
I do not believe this report.
I believe what has happen is the Army lowered their goal and therefore achieved it.
It is easy to achieve your goal when you lower your standard.
Of course you must have some inside knowledge to back this up. Or are you just indulging in wishful thinking?
Yeah...sad thing is...we have the best paid military in the world.
At least the new recruiting bonuses are going the right direction.
It's someone from the DU...making a typical conspiracy theory level assertion.
Awwww...ain't that cute? KenSmith, joined 6/29/05 just to bash the Army. The same Army that provides the freedom for him to be a jerk.
The only way the Army would be "lowering it's standard" is if it were to allow KenSmith (not his real name, I'm assuming) to enlist.
Scram, Troll. I've had enough of the likes of you today. Gee Whiz. Our Commander in Chief gives us straight answers and a stirring "Call to Arms" speech last night and the insane trolls suffer major mental breakdowns all over this place today. *Rolleyes*
You must be an expert at lowered expectations, newbie troll.
Someone who lurks at DU ought to post this news there, I can't wait to hear the shrieks of the whimps.
I understand your sentiment, but I beg to differ.
Here is the current pay scale for Army personnel. This is partially tax-free (This varies by State of Origin for State Taxes) BASIC pay. On top of that they get clothing allowances, housing allowances, travel allowances, three hots and a cot, per diem, free medical & dental for themselves & family members, additional pay if married and/or have kids, hazardous duty pay and on and on.
In my last years of service, with basic pay and benefits, I was pulling in close to $60K a year. Not bad jing for an E-7 Combat Support Battalion Grunt. ;)
http://www.army.com/money/payrates_enlisted_a05.html
Recall what the sign on Alice's mushroom said, Ken?
http://www.cafepress.com/andysocial_eat
Seems like they're coming here to whine and claim the "Sky is falling!"
Welcome to Free Republic.
As they testified to months ago, they raised their goals and were not meeting those increased goals.
Of course, that little fact was never reported.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.