Active-Duty, Reserve Components’ Recruiting, Retention Numbers Strong

American Forces Press Service ^ | Samantha L. Quigley

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, May 11, 2009 – All 10 active-duty and reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in April, Defense Department officials announced today.

For the second consecutive month, the Marine Corps added the highest percentage of active-duty members. The Corps’ goal was to add 1,018 new Marines. It exceeded that number by 43 percent, adding 1,666 new Marines.

The Army National Guard led the reserve components when it exceeded its recruiting goal of 4,029 new Guardsmen by 11 percent, adding 4,474 soldiers.

“The economic downturn, rising unemployment, and the scarcity of civilian jobs has made military recruiting less challenging than it has been over the last several years,” said Curtis Gilroy, director of Accession Policy.

“More young people are considering the military today,” he said. “But the services still need about 180,000 young men and women each year for the active duty force and another 140,000 to fill the ranks of the Reserve components -- regardless of the state of the economy or what the unemployment rate is, and our recruiters continue to do a magnificent job.”

Here is the breakdown of the other components:

-- Active-duty Army: 3,995 accessions with a goal of 3,900, for 102 percent;

-- Active-duty Navy: 2,719 accessions with a goal of 2,719, for 100 percent;

-- Active-duty Air Force: 2,162 accessions with a goal of 2,157, for 100 percent;

-- Army Reserve: 3,425 accessions with a goal of 3,333, for 103 percent;

-- Navy Reserve: 611 accessions with a goal of 611, for 100 percent;

-- Marine Corps Reserve: 422 accessions with a goal of 422, for 100 percent;

-- Air National Guard: 870 accessions with a goal of 860, for 101 percent; and

-- Air Force Reserve: 786 accessions with a goal of 783, for 100 percent.

[don-o]

I worry about my son serving under his current CINC. But, I take comfort that he has joined the best and that the Corps will prevail regardless.

[SandRat]

Psalm 91
"Warrior's Prayer"

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust." Surely He will save you from the fowler's snare and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with His feathers, and under His wings you will find refuge; His faithfulness will be your shield and rampart. You will not fear the terror of night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness, nor the plague that destroys at midday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only observe with your eyes and see the punishment of the wicked If you make the Most High your dwelling - even the Lord, who is my refuge then no harm will befall you, no disaster will come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways; they will lift you up in their hands, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone. you will tread upon the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and the serpent. "Because he loves me," says the Lord, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him. With long life will I satisfy him and show him my salvation.

[don-o]

Thanks. My Daddy told me that was his favorite Psalm and it became that when he was in the Pacific during WW2. If he can know what’s going on now, I know he is proud of his grandson.

[PERKY2004]

Prayers for your son!

[don-o]

Thank you m’aam. Back atcha.

Six deployments? Can he opt out? That seems like a lot.

[PERKY2004]

He keeps volunteering.