U.S. Army Exceeding Re-enlistment and First-Time Enlistment Goals

[adios]

Ok but what about the Marines, Navy and Air Force? Since the Army is apparently doing just fine meeting it's recruiting goals does one have to volunteer to join the other armed services (don't know if they're meeting their goals) to be able to justify their support for the efforts to liberate Iraqi citizens [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]? Since the Army is currently exceeding its recruiting goals apparently doesn't this make lehighguys point afterall? DVaut1, QuadOverQuads, Scoot, anybody have comments? I think it would be funny if QuadOverQuads or Scoot made the argument that recruiting numbers flucuate and we can't rely on a single set of recruiting period stats to discern any trend or draw any conclusions.

THE REAL IRAQ NEWS

From the article:

* Every one of the Army's 10 divisions — its key combat organizations — has exceeded its re-enlistment goal for the year to date. Those with the most intense experience in Iraq have the best rates. The 1st Cavalry Division is at 136 percent of its target, the 3rd Infantry Division at 117 percent.

Among separate combat brigades, the figures are even more startling, with the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division at 178 percent of its goal and the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Mech right behind at 174 percent of its re-enlistment target.

This is unprecedented in wartime. Even in World War II, we needed the draft. Where are the headlines?

* What about first-time enlistment rates, since that was the issue last spring? The Army is running at 108 percent of its needs. Guess not every young American despises his or her country and our president.

* The Army Reserve is a tougher sell, given that it takes men and women away from their families and careers on short notice. Well, Reserve recruitment stands at 102 percent of requirements.

* And then there's the Army National Guard. We've been told for two years that the Guard was in free-fall. Really? Guard recruitment and retention comes out to 106 percent of its requirements as of June 30. (I've even heard a rumor that Al Franken and Tim Robbins signed up — but let's wait for confirmation on that.)