[Strategerist]

Why this is happening is no mystery. Two years of hearing about too few troops on the ground, inadequate armor, extended tours of duty and accelerated rotations back into combat have taken their toll, discouraging potential enlistees and their parents.

Actually it's mostly the improving economy.

What's hilarious is that most of the countries in the world with a draft are looking at abandoning it in favor of a smaller all-volunteer force, in imitiation of the United States (including Russia.)

[Altair333]

I think you guys are kidding yourself if you think it's not the war.

I mean, even if you disregard being shot at, soldiers in Iraq have to spend 5 months of the year in 100+ degree temperatures with no air conditioning, among a population that is largely hostile.

That's a very hard sell, regardless of how the economy is.

[B4Ranch]

>>most of the countries in the world with a draft are looking at abandoning it in favor of a smaller all-volunteer force, in imitiation of the United States (including Russia.)<<

As per UN Agenda 21 guidlines.

[wtc911]

Actually it's mostly the improving economy.

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Utter nonsense. This economy is nowhere near as robust as it was in the late 90s, a period where there was no problem meeting the needs. And the non-combat services are not seeing a problem. If it were as you suggest how is that explained?

Enlistment among Black Americans has dropped sharply since things got real again for the Army/Marines. Growth in White and Hispanic enlistments has not risen enough to cover the shortfall.

[af_vet_1981]

Actually it's mostly the improving economy.

The recent highly publicized prosecution of Armed Forces personnel does not help ...