Posted on 05/10/2006 6:31:47 PM PDT by SandRat
WASHINGTON, May 10, 2006 – All four services exceeded their active-duty recruiting goals in April for the 11th consecutive month and remain ahead of their year-to-date goals, defense officials announced today. And although four of the six reserve components slipped below their April recruiting goals, their year-to-date progress, particularly for the Army National Guard and Army Reserve, shows promise, Air Force Lt. Col. Ellen Krenke, a Pentagon spokeswoman, told American Forces Press Service.
During what has historically been a slow recruiting period, the active Army recruited almost 5,700 members, 105 percent of its goal, for April. The Air Force signed on almost 2,400 airmen, 101 percent of its goal, and the Navy and Marine Corps met 100 percent of their April goals, recruiting almost 2,600 and almost 1,500 members, respectively, Krenke reported.
Year-to-date recruiting numbers were equally impressive, she said. As of April, the Army had exceeded its goal by 4 percent, with more than 37,000 recruits. The Marine Corps and Air Force exceeded their goals by 1 percent, with almost 15,000 and almost 18,000 recruits, respectively. And the Navy met its goal, recruiting almost 18,000 sailors.
Active-duty retention remained sky-high, a good-news story Krenke said has had some unintended negative consequences. It's keeping active duty members from joining the reserve components and filling critical positions there. Former active servicemembers have long been the biggest source of reserve-component recruits and a valuable resource, Krenke said.
During April, the Marine Corps Reserve exceeded its recruiting goal by 1 percent, with 411 recruits, and the Air Force Reserve met its goal, with 544 recruits. But with almost 5,900 new recruits - more than the other five reserve components combined - the Army National Guard still fell 10 percent short of its April goal, Krenke said.
The Army Reserve recruited more than 2,100 members in April, 83 percent of its goal. The Air National Guard recruited more than 700 airmen, 92 percent of its goal, and the Navy Reserve, almost 650 sailors, 75 percent of its goal, Krenke said.
The Army National Guard, Air Force Reserve and Marine Corps Reserve all have recruited above or at their year-to-date goals, 103, 105 and 100 percent, respectively. The Army Reserve stands at 95 percent of its year-to-date goal; the Air National Guard, at 86 percent, and the Navy Reserve, at 84 percent.
"Overall, we're still looking at a positive recruiting picture and optimistic about finishing the fiscal year in good shape," Krenke said.
"Despite monthly ups and downs in the recruiting numbers, it's still evident that our recruitment and marketing efforts are having an effect and that young people still consider the military a worthwhile endeavor," she said.
Some folks are gonna deeply saddened at this news goin agin what they ben sayin.
Great News! God Bless the USA and all our Brave Men and Woman who fight so hard to protect us and all that we as a Country stand for.
As an Army recruiter myself, let me tell you, it is tough! I had a democrat lovin dad cry in my office the other day when his son wanted to enlist. Needless to say, he didn't enlist. Literally cry!!!!!!! Grown man! Started spewing propoganda and then cried.
Month-to-month goals are strictly that - goals. But eleven of them in a row means that the one number that does mean something, the annual number, is probably going to be met and exceeded. And that is very, very heartening news.
Uggghhh... the kid's old enough to make his own decisions. I'm joining the military against my parents' wishes, God willing.
It's great to hear they are doing so great.
I wish I could help out and join, but of course I can't, jeeze health keeps me out of everything.
Of course you won't hear about this on the Drive-By-Media.
Go for the longest technical training course offered to you after they shape you up in basic. Mine was nine months and launched an interesting career with $.
I watched this story on one of the cable news channels tonight, but the ONLY thing they reported was the reserves did not met their goals. Damn the MSM.
But yet, this propaganda tear spewing 'adult' Democrat would probably support reinstating the draft in a heartbeat. Poor ill-informed guy doesn't have a clue what freedom means and all that is good about our country which makes it worth fighting for....against threats which are very real..... which some Democrats would rather pretend don't exist.
But, but, but, I heard on Air Amerika, that you guys lie to those poor/stupid kids, and there are still not enough of them!!!!
Guess the fact don't matter to the Rats!!!!
God bless our young men and women that are joining up!!!!!!!
There, that's better!
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