Recruits join armed forces seeking war

The Washington Times ^ | November 7, 2005 | W. Thomas Smith, Jr.

[SuzyQ2]

Going to war, more than job opportunities and money for college, is the post-September 11 allure for joining the armed services, military officials say. And, in a trend that bewilders and dismays those opposed to the war in Iraq, enlistment numbers are up and recruiting goals are mostly being met or exceeded.

[RandallFlagg]

But, but, but, but, but, wasn't it just three months ago that the enemedia blared that recruitment numbers were low?

[samtheman]

And, in a trend that bewilders and dismays those opposed to the war in Iraq, enlistment numbers are up and recruiting goals are mostly being met or exceeded.

Well isn't that special? Remember six months back (or so) when the story of "failed recruitment goals" was all the rage in the media? Why isn't the follow-up story "recruitment success" rebounding its way across the headlines? I guess they're just all adding the finishing touches to those stories. They'll be out any day now.

[SIDENET]

J.E. McNeil, executive director of the District-based Center on Conscience & War, an organization established to defend the rights of conscientious objectors, calls the figures "trumpetry" from the military.

"Trumpetry"? Try looking that one up in a dictionary.

[glorgau]

Give a young guy the opportunity to make loud noises and cause explosions? What's not to like about it?

[wildcatf4f3]

thank God we still have WARRIORS

[isrul]

This represents a failure in public education. These youths have not been turned into effeminate weenies. Something is terribly wrong. Smaller classes, higher pay for teachers and more ritalin. That's what we need.

[ExSoldier]

Going to war, more than job opportunities and money for college....

Heck that's the reason I was commissioned as an officer in the army infantry after college in 1980! I missed my chance by being in the wrong unit for Grenada and Beirut and I was in the IRR by the time Panama rolled around and now I'm too old and too slow and they said so....after thanking me for volunteering yet again on Sept 12th 2001. I told 'em they wouldn't even have to promote me....I'd happily go back as a captain. You see, captain is the last officer rank in the US Army where you actually get to pull a trigger as a main part of your job.....

[THEUPMAN]

Thats sick.

It's one thing to do your duty.
It's a totally different thing to run around looking for someone to shoot at.

Any one who can take someones life and not feel regret over the greater issue of man's struggle should be in an institution not on a battle field.

[Himyar]

My son joined the Air Guard after 9-11, partly because of family history and partly because of the attack. He's been to Iraq and is going back next year. He is an ammo troop and really enjoys sending his bombs as payback.

[fzx12345]

Once again, more proof of MSM hypocracy*. In early May, (JUST BEFORE GRADUATIONS!), there was nothing but reports on failing to meet yearly goals. They knew full well that the numbers would catch up by the end of the year. It's like reporting in February the lack of days below 80 degrees. I always thought the job of the media was to report the news, not make the news, or even make up the news.

*Hypocracy, n. Rule by hypocrites.

[cdrw]

News Flash ....'men are male'

What a shocking revelation. </sarcasm>

There's a reason why we are larger, stronger, and loaded with more testosterone than our mates. We are physically designed to provide protection for our families and friends and we are psychologically oriented to get the job done. Only the feminazi's and socialists refuse to see the obvious.

Going to war has always been one of the reasons young men sign up. I know it was for several of my buddy's.

[conservativecorner]

Too bad the liberal MSM won't report it BUMP!!

[rep-always]

I don't think that they want to go off and shoot somebody, anybody. I think what these great Americans are doing is taking the war to the enemy and wanting to yes, kill, them before they kill us.

I don't think there is anything wrong with having a conscious thought that you want stand up to our "enemy". And believe me, radical Islam, Osama and these terrorist bombers, are our enemy.

[prairiebreeze]

Thanks for posting this. And Thank God for these brave young patriots. What a shame our media and out society doesn't hold them up for the accolades they so much deserve.

If we treated our military as well as we treat sports figures (and I won't even go to steroid use, acting like thugs during games etc.) this country would be in much better shape.

As it is, I'll get much pleasure in sending this article out to my email list.

[Drew68]

Any one who can take someones life and not feel regret over the greater issue of man's struggle should be in an institution not on a battle field.

To the enemies of freedom who wish take away all that I hold dear, to destroy my country and subjugate me and my loved ones under their barbaric religion, I could kill them with a smile on my face and sleep like a baby at night.

[THEUPMAN]

I missed my chance by being in the wrong unit for Grenada and Beirut and I was in the IRR by the time Panama rolled around and now I'm too old


This is the line I was really responding to.

I have known a few of these guys over the years. Believe me , the ones I have known had no idea ... nor did they care ... what the conflict was. They would have killed (and did) anyone they could get a way with "poping"

And whats really scary ...... now they are in domestic law enforcement.

[TaxRelief]

FYI ping

[DustyMoment]

And, in a trend that bewilders and dismays those opposed to the war in Iraq, enlistment numbers are up and recruiting goals are mostly being met or exceeded.

Harry Reid is deeply disappointed.

[Gondring]

I was in the IRR by the time Panama rolled around

Well, I do think it's ridiculous that we are now having to reactivate IRR troops for this current conflict. My brother finally settled down and now has a wife and new daughter...and just got the telegram sending him over there. Although he'll go, he's not enthused about it like he might have been in earlier days, and he's lost two friends in the war already.

I hope our victory is swift and we can get our troops home ASAP, and I think we need to take a hard look at how our country goes about fighting a war, IMHO.