Army Missed Recruiting Goal Again

[sabra]

Source: ABC News

ABC News' Jonathan Karl and Luis Martinez report: Already stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Army is having a hard time finding new recruits. ABC News has learned the Army missed its recruiting goal in June for the second month in a row. It's the first time in more than two years that the Army has missed recruiting goals for two consecutive months.

The figures are especially worrisome because the summer is traditionally the peak recruiting season. Army officials are now worried that July and August will be difficult as well, raising the possibility that the Army will miss its annual goal of 80,000 new recruits for fiscal year 2007, which ends on September 30. The Army has missed an annual recruiting goal only twice in the last decade -- in 1999 and 2005.

"It's a great challenge to maintain an all volunteer Army during a period of extended conflict," said one defense official. "We've never really done it before."

The Army will officially release its June recruiting figures on Tuesday, but Pentagon officials tell ABC News the numbers are similar to May, when the Army recruited only 93 percent of its goal of signing up 5500 new recruits. The goal for June was 9,750. The last time the Army missed back-to-back monthly goals was April and May 2005.


Read more: http://blogs.abcnews.com/politicalradar/2007/07/exclusi...

[Debau2005]

1. And their retention rate is bad

My Significant Other is officially out in August. We are going to have a huge party!

[snappyturtle]

2. Good for you! NT

[madame defarge]

12. Do you have stats/links for that info?

My republic party neighbor & I were having this very discussion last night. I told her recruitment numbers were down/not being met. She claims that the re-enlistment numbers are soaring. I seriously doubt it, but if you have any proof, I'd love to pass it to her.

Thanks.

[Debau2005]

13. Hey, I'll see what I can find

I know from personal experience that at least 1/3 of the National Guard unit that my SO is in have either gotten out or are getting out when their days are up. They lost 3 soldiers when they were in Iraq, and very few are willing to go back.

[Debau2005]

15. Links

I am sure she thinks that, I did a Google search on National Guard and Army Retention Rates, most of the links are to military sites that state the rates are soaring...I will continue to search for a non-military link that has some numbers. The military is doing a super job in playing the Republics! They state numbers that have no meaning or basis in fact.

I did find this:
http://www.bendweekly.com/Opinion/3325.html
Although it is an opinion piece.

Edited to add this:
http://www.americanprogress.org/issues/2007/05/pdf/nati...

[madame defarge]

17. Many thanks!

I tried googling too, but didn't come up with these. Thanks!

[sanskritwarrior]

24. Yeah the numbers reenlisting are large

Our brigade deploys at the end of the year and we are at 131% of our reenlistment goal. We wanted to reenlist 500 of the Brigade's 3500 soldiers this fiscal year and we have reenlisted over 620 and we still have 80 days left in the Fiscal year........The reenlistment NCO for the Brigade, a drinking buddy of mine, says he might get 100 more before 1 October and the start of the new fiscal year. The Brigades in Iraq are apparently having even higher reenlistment rates........Just my .02 cents with an anectdote.......

[madame defarge]

31. Why is that?

Can you tell me why they want to enlist? Thanks.

[sanskritwarrior]

34. Patriotism, a sense of duty, a desire to serve their country, Money,

belief in victory, and a resolute steadfastness to serve with their friends........Not in any order, but those are the 6 reasons my reenlistment NCO buddy gave me that soldiers give him.......Before we go there, these aren't my reasons, I was asked a question, I asked my friend who came over tonight, and these were the answers he gave me. These are the answers he gets when he asks a soldier why they want to reenlist.

[madame defarge]

43. Thanks...

I wasn't asking to be facetious or sarcastic. I'm really trying to understand what possesses someone who has been there to want to stay there.

Do you think many of the soldiers there feel the same way? We get such mixed reports of what the boots on the ground really think.

[Ilsa]

30. Here's the front page for Army Times:

http://www.armytimes.com /

The article has top-billing.
Army officials acknowledged Monday that the service missed its recruiting target for the second month in a row, but would not provide exact numbers. But two defense officials said the Army fell short of its 8,400 goal by about 15 percent — which is more than twice the June shortfall and would mean that roughly 7,000 recruits signed up.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the recruiting numbers are not scheduled for release until Tuesday.

Last month the Army said it recruited 5,101 new soldiers in May, about 7 percent short of its 5,500 goal for that month.



I'll look for one about mid-career officers bailing, as well as those who graduated from military schools.
On Edit: Here it is:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2... /

West Point grads exit service at high rate
War's redeployments thought a major factor
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff | April 11, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Recent graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point are choosing to leave active duty at the highest rate in more than three decades, a sign to many military specialists that repeated tours in Iraq are prematurely driving out some of the Army's top young officers.

According to statistics compiled by West Point, of the 903 Army officers commissioned upon graduation in 2001, nearly 46 percent left the service last year -- 35 percent at the conclusion of their five years of required service, and another 11 percent over the next six months. And more than 54 percent of the 935 graduates in the class of 2000 had left active duty by this January, the statistics show.
snip

[Ilsa]

44. Here's another interesting fact for you:

http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2... /

West Point grads exit service at high rate
War's redeployments thought a major factor
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff | April 11, 2007

WASHINGTON -- Recent graduates of the US Military Academy at West Point are choosing to leave active duty at the highest rate in more than three decades, a sign to many military specialists that repeated tours in Iraq are prematurely driving out some of the Army's top young officers.

According to statistics compiled by West Point, of the 903 Army officers commissioned upon graduation in 2001, nearly 46 percent left the service last year -- 35 percent at the conclusion of their five years of required service, and another 11 percent over the next six months. And more than 54 percent of the 935 graduates in the class of 2000 had left active duty by this January, the statistics show.

The figures mark the lowest retention rate of graduates after the completion of their mandatory duty since at least 1977, with the exception of members of three classes in the late 1980s who were encouraged to leave as the military downsized following the end of the Cold War.

In most years during the last three decades, the period for which West Point released statistics, the numbers of graduates opting out at the five-year mark were between 10 percent and 30 percent, according to the data.

[TlalocW]

3. Feh

The only reason the army hadn't been missing its recruiting goals is because they've lowered the bar for potential recruits so much lately that a 40-year-old, 400 lb convicted child molester could sign up to be all he could be. I guess they decided to keep what pride they could and not lower it any further even though it became apparent that Iraq has become such a clusterfuck that even with the lax requirements, they wouldn't meet their goals.

TlalocW

[LibDemAlways]

4. Well, let's see.....Take a low pay entry-level job and

possibly enroll at the local community college or sign up for low military pay and risk coming back minus limbs or in a body bag after multiple stints in Iraq. Wonder which is more attractive to kids today?

It's a shame that "serving one's country" has turned into "becoming cannon fodder" under this criminal cabal headed up by wealthy people who had "other priorities" when it was their turn.

[NaturalHigh]

5. Gee, wonder why.

[EVDebs]

6. The April 16, 2007 cover of Time magazine. These kids can read !

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph...

[Name removed]

7. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[LibDemAlways]

8. Earlier this year a young soldier from my area who had

signed up right after 9/11 was killed in Iraq. The funeral received local press coverage, and in one article, a 17-year-old who had attended the funeral explained that he had just joined the Marines to "go and get the guys in Iraq who were responsible for 9/11."

I just shook my head. Apparently that kid has no one in his life to set him straight and isn't inquisitive enough to have sought out the truth about what he's getting into. Pathetic.

[sanskritwarrior]

25. That'squite insulting to the young kids I serve with daily.

I joined back in 1994, these kids today are good kids, how dare you call them morons..............

[eridani]

27. Anyone who thinks Iraq had anything to do with 9/11 is stupid--

--or badly misinformed. Doesn't mean they can't be good at the same time, though.

[dysfunctional press]

29. i have absolutely NO USE for military types or religious types-

they have fucked up the planet for the rest of us.

[sanskritwarrior]

35. So let me get this straight

I who served honorably under Clinton and Bush, who have done my duty and remained tre to my oath to this country.......I have fucked the world up?

Please explain before I label you a troop hater.......

[dysfunctional press]

40. without being beholden to the military-industrial complex, we could have had a MUCH better society.

without warriors, there would be no wars.

throughout history, the military mindset, in combination with a 'god-fearing' religious mindset has robbed this country and pretty much the whole planet of a LOT of it's potential and it's resources.

so as i said- i have ZERO respect, or use for ANYTHING that has to do with religion or military in any way, shape, or form.

[SKKY]

39. I have served this country for more than 15 years now...

...under both Bushes and Clinton, and after you're done explaining yourself to sanskritwarrior, come talk to me because I will not allow you to paint my service with such a broad brush. Be prepared to defend your position with facts and logic, because I assure you I will defend mine with an abundance of both. And I'm not as patient as my fellow vet; you are indeed a troop hater.

[dysfunctional press]

41. without being beholden to the military-industrial complex, we could have had a MUCH better society.

without warriors, there would be no wars.

throughout history, the military mindset, in combination with a 'god-fearing' religious mindset has robbed this country and pretty much the whole planet of a LOT of it's potential and it's resources.

so as i said- i have ZERO respect, or use for ANYTHING that has to do with religion or military in any way, shape, or form.

[SKKY]

45. Ok, I'm still waiting for ANYTHING factual from you....

You paint wonderfully broad strokes, but fail to provide anything of use to substantiate your silly argument. Just how has "...the military mindset..." robbed this country and the planet of a lot of it's potential? You, and those like you are an insult to the millions who have served and died discovering, developing, and defending this country. My only hope for you is that you live a long, happy life in the fantasy world you've created for yourself inside your bitter, sick mind. I have no use for you or your ideals, and will not respond to anyting from you ever again. Congradulations! In 3 years on DU, you're the first person I've ever put on ignore.

[lpbk2713]

9. There's something really unappealing about being thrown into a meat grinder

.... that just doesn't work for that demographic who might otherwise consider enlisting. Add too, once they have you they can break whatever promises they made to you at enlistment time. They can send you wherever they want for however long they want and there's nothing the enlistee can do about it. The others who have enlisted and found this to be true are spreading the word to their friends and family regarding how they were deceived and lied to resulting in the lower enlistment volunteers. They aren't even safe enlisting in the Navy or the Air Force. People in those services have found themselves assigned to combat situations with very little training or preparation. This is the BushCo DoD and they will lie, deceive and do whatever it takes to get the results they have in mind.



They are as phony as AWOL Monkey-Boy's famous plastic turkey

[Handsome Pete]

10. And Recruiters are the biggest liars in human history.

After many, many years in the USMC I got out and returned to college to get my teaching degree/certificate. I see recruiters at my school daily. They flock to the quad and lie their asses off to the kids. They tell the kids that if they enlist, they'll never, ever have to walk a patrol in sunny Iraq... which I know for fact is a damned lie.

Don't get me wrong, I loved the Corps, and greatly enjoyed my time served. I only left the service to be nearer to my family, and I don't kill people in order to improve the profit lines for Big Oil. I just hate to hear the recruiters lie to the kids. I correct that mistake every chance I get. I believe that informed persons make the best decisions, plus I really hate Recruiters.

/end story

[xultar]

11. Killing over 3500 troops'll do that kind a shit.

[Massachusetts]

14. Be all you can be.

Re-institute the draft, wake up the disinterested masses.

[AndyTiedye]

16. Be Careful What You Ask For

The BFEE would be very happy to have a draft if they can trick the Democrats into proposing it.
That way the Democrats take the heat while the BFEE gets all the cannon fodder they need.
Iran ho!

[LibDemAlways]

23. The only thing that's kept them from doing it is the

certainty that every one of them would be held to account by a very pissed off electorate. Political suicide.

[sanskritwarrior]

38. Or the fact that a draft

would be thing that would push the military to mutiny..........NO ONE IN UNIFORM WANTS TO BABYSIT DRAFTEES.......A draft would push the military to refuse following orders as most of us would not want to serve with draftees.......

[LibDemAlways]

42. 66% of the Amercan soldiers who served in WWII were

draftees, including my dad. 30.4% of US military casualties in Vietnam were draftees. They may have been unwilling warriors, but many draftees have answered their country's call and served with honor and distinction. I wouldn't paint them all with too broad a brush.

[tabasco]

46. Stop acting like you speak for everyone in uniform.

That's a stupid thing to do.

[Javaman]

18. What are their quarterly quota's down to now? 1? nt

[classysassy]

19. The untaped source

Where are all those war lovers,the KKK,Minute men and NRA members?now is the time to prove your love of country,enlist today.

[classysassy]

20. Foxx

in the words of the late Red Foxx,theirs is an undying love.(cowards).

[LiberalFighter]

21. Bonuses and Incentives

May 30, 2007 -- More than $50,000 incentives for 2-enlistment
Jan 18, 2006 -- Doubles enlistment bonus to $40,000
May 11, 2005 -- Minimum $5,000 bonus for every qualified Army recruit
Apr 25, 2005 -- Up to $20,000 for Army recruits who report for training by May 30

Feb 24, 2006 -- Army Reserve offers $10,000 quick-ship bonus
Oct 6, 2004 -- Army Reserve offers quick-ship enlistment bonuses up to $3,000

Mar 15, 2007 -- $2,000 Army recruiting-referral bonus expanded to Army Civilians
Nov 16, 2006 -- Referral bonus doubles to $2,000 for Soldiers, Future Soldiers and retirees
Jan 18, 2006 -- Soldiers may earn $1,000 recruiting referral bonus


Jun 21, 2006 -- Army raises enlistment age to 42

May 6, 2005 -- 15-month Army enlistment option available nationwide
Apr 28, 2005 -- Army offers 3-year enlistment option nationwide

[MiserableFailure]

22. Bring it on cried Chimpy McDipshit

Prancing around in his little flightsuit, a little toy soldier, knowing his ass wouldn't be on the line in Iraq.

[dEMOK]

32. ROFL!...

[pinniped]

26. I still get "congratulations, recent high school graduate" literature from the armed forces.

It's been well over 15 years since I set foot in a high school.

[bleedingheart]

28. hmmmm...the folks at Free Republic should sign up to help boost those numbers

[silverojo]

33. Do I feel a draft?

[sanskritwarrior]

36. No no one that is in the military wants a draft,

draftees would be a surly lot and would lack the esprit de corps that we have with a volunteer force........NO ONE in uniform wants to babysit draftees.......

[SKKY]

37. I have no idea why so many of my fellow liberals find pleasure in this...

...even if it is a reflection on this administration and its failed policy, there is a much larger issue here. And to suggest that anyone who would sign up are "morons", is beyond shameful.