Posted on 11/03/2005 4:24:15 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, Nov. 3, 2005 – Re-enlistment rates for the Army and Marine Corps are the highest they've been in a long time, specifically in units with high deployment tempos, military leaders told the House Armed Services Committee here today. Testifying at a committee hearing, titled "Your Troops: Their Story," the leaders said that soldiers and Marines re-enlist because they believe in the mission they are performing, and they feel comfortable knowing their families will be taken care of while they are deployed.
"Our soldiers know that while they're deployed, while they're forward, they don't have to worry about what's going on at home," said Army Col. Robert Abrams, chief of staff, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas.
Re-enlistment rates are highest among married soldiers and Marines, who make up the bulk of the force, the leaders said. The troops re-enlist knowing they will go back to Iraq, but it doesn't change their determination, they said.
"These guys and gals are in it for the fight," said Brig. Gen. John F. Kelly, legislative assistant to the Marine Corps commandant. "That's where they want to be and what they want to do."
Deployed units have strong support systems for families, including family readiness groups and unit rear-detachment personnel, said Army Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, set to become command sergeant major of 3rd Corps, Fort Hood, Texas. Soldiers understand that they have the backing of elected officials and from most of the American public, and they don't ask for anything more, Ciotola said.
"We don't want anybody's sympathy. We understand what we get ourselves into, especially after we've re-enlisted one time," he said. "All we want is support."
The high re-enlistment rate in units that have deployed multiple times can be attributed to the camaraderie that forms between soldiers who have been in combat together, Abrams said.
"There is a bond amongst warriors who have been through the worst of the worst that lasts a lifetime," he said. "Our boys saw a lot of tough stuff; that's what keeps them together."
While re-enlistment was high in Iraq, where there were significant financial incentives, the rate didn't drop after units came back to the U.S., Abrams said. That can be attributed to the quality of today's servicemembers and their sense of duty, Ciotola said.
"The soldiers understand the seriousness of the fight that we're engaged in," he said.
Gee,... that's not how the alphabet Spews tells it. I'm shocked that they could get it so wrong, just shocked.
Think this will make it on CNN tonight???
Me neither.
CNN is down the toilet bowl. We are a long way from VietNam. 9/11 changed the world forever. And our magnificent military know this as well as we do. God Bless our military and keep them safe.
"All we want is support."
"All we want is support."
"All we want is support."
We don't want the spineless, unwashed to go. They would make horrible soldiers. We just want their support.
Is that too much to ask?
I saw a good example from a business point of view and it was a big arrow and inside all the little arrows were going every which way. they told me the job of the business owner was to make all the employees aim their arrow in the same direction that you wanted to go.
I think of it as Americans. Don't we really all want the US to win. deep down don't they really think they are patriotic and in the long run will pull for the country? If so then they need to turn their little arrows in the direction the President has taken us. They don't have to do anything but just keep quiet. Is that too much to ask?
I sure didn't take to the streets with signs against President Clinton when he got us into 7 wars in 8 years. Because in the long run I want our Country to win if we go to war.
Funny, now that I think of it, I didn't see MoveOn.org sponser anti-war rallies when it was a "D" who got us into war.
I meant to change my tag line
HOO AHHH!!!!
BTTT
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