Military meets, exceeds recruiting goals

AP on Yahoo ^ | 12/12/06 | Pauline Jelinek - ap

[NormsRevenge]

WASHINGTON - Though Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the war in Iraq, the Pentagon said Tuesday it is having success enlisting new troops. The Navy and Air Force met their recruiting goals last month while the Army and Marine Corps exceeded theirs, the Defense Department announced.

The Army, which is bearing the brunt of the work in Iraq, did the best. It signed up 6,485 new recruits in November compared with its target of 6,150 — meaning 105 percent of its goal.

All the services turned in similar performances in October as well, meaning they so far are meeting their goals for the 2007 budget year that began Oct. 1.

"The services are starting off well," said Maj. Stewart Upton, a Pentagon spokesman.

The progress in recruiting comes as U.S. pessimism over the Iraq campaign mounts, according to a recent AP-Ipsos poll. Some 63 percent of Americans said they don't expect a stable, democratic government to be established in Iraq, up from 54 percent who felt that way in June.

Dissatisfaction with President Bush's handling of Iraq has climbed to an all-time high of 71 percent, according to the AP-Ipsos survey this month. A bipartisan commission last week released its recommendations for a new course and the president held a series of meetings this week to hear from his advisers.

According to figures released Tuesday by the Pentagon, the Navy signed up 2,887 recruits last month, or 100 percent of its goal; Marines signed up 2,095, or 104 percent of its 2,012 target and the Air Force signed up all 1,877 it was seeking.

The Army also met its goal in the 2006 budget year after missing its target in fiscal year 2005 for the first time since 1999. It added recruiters and offered recruits bonuses to help attract more to the service.

The Army has been recruiting about 80,000 people a year, setting differing monthly goals depending on the time of the year.

Though the active services are doing well, recruiting has lagged for the Army Reserve and Navy Reserve, officials said.

The Army Reserve last month signed up 1,888, or just 79 percent of its 2,376 goal and the Navy Reserve signed up 687 recruits, or just 91 percent of its 755 goal.

___

On the Net:

Defense Department http://www.defenselink.mil

[dakine]

Wonder if this has any economic reasons for happening, as in the economy is not really doing as well as some reporting.

[NormsRevenge]

Best Holiday Wishes and a Merry Christmas to all those who serve and will soon serve their nation proudly and in a time of war.

[kinghorse]

How about guys and gals just want to defend their country. Is that so hard to imagine anymore? Wow.

[ChiMark]

I am very proud of these young men and women.
This is remarkable considering the negative
mantra of the media.

[Steel Wolf]

Young? The max initial recruitment age has been raised to what, 65? Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but standards are losening so we can have positive headlines like this. Let's not kid ourselves here.

[A message]

Wonder if this has any economic reasons for happening..

No, I do not believe so. The first sentence in the story posits that Americans are growing pessimistic. I believe the average American knows we have a job to do in Iraq and it is the cowardly left leaning writers of opinions disguised as news that are attempting to thwart the job that must be done.

I work in an aspect of the entertainment industry. Our sales are up this year. There appears to be a growth in disposable income and demand for non essential entertainment products. I say the economy is therefore doing well.

[Xenalyte]

Jesus, I am SICK of stupid writing.

Meeting and exceeding are different. One may meet on the way to exceeding, and if one exceeds, by definition one has met.

To write that something "meets and exceeds" is redundant and moronic.

[Red6]

"The Army, which is bearing the brunt of the work in Iraq, did the best. It signed up 6,485 new recruits in November compared with its target of 6,150 — meaning 105 percent of its goal. " Was written.

Think about this.

If the Army exceeds it's recruiting goals month after month, quarter after quarter, it barely makes any news. If they marginally fail in making their goal for one quarter, two years ago, some within our political establishment and the MSM "STILL" quote this as an example of an Army that is imploding, loss of support for the war by the troops, bla bla bla.

[dakine]

I guess discussing ideas/thoughts are not allowed on this thread. Sorry, I thought otherwise...carry on...

[RacerX1128]

"Though Americans are increasingly pessimistic about the war in Iraq"

Should read:

"Though Liberal & Democrat Americans that we select for all of our biased polls are increasingly pessmistic about the aftermath of the war in Iraq"

There, that's better

[Ron2]

I think they should double the requirements until we get to the point that, if need be, we can withstand a major conflict. Too many people left the military during the Clinton Admin. I feel a major conflict is in the making and we best be prepared for it.

[Steel Wolf]

Meeting and exceeding are different. One may meet on the way to exceeding, and if one exceeds, by definition one has met.

Not that this is justification from a grammatical sense, but a lot of Army writing uses dual concepts like this, when talking about killing and capturing terrorist X, or meeting and exceeding a standard. It's like you state the minimum and the optimal in the same breath, even if it's contradictory in a literal sense.

The more I try and explain it the lamer it sounds, but take my word on it, it's a very Army form of expression.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

I enlisted a few years after the Vietnam War ended. I was a pampered princess from an upper-middle class family. I had a full academic scholarship to Luther College in Iowa. I didn't have to join; I wanted to see the World! Then I ended up loving it so much and I was good at it, so I stayed for twenty years.

I enlisted during the Carter years of no jobs, no gasoline and 18% interest rates! These kids want to serve, just as I did. And God Bless Them!

Economics rarely play into someone's decision to join up, no matter what the MSM tries to tell us. :)

If I can find my link to data that shows who enlists, I'll post it. I had a hard drive crash a while ago and lost some really good stuff. :(

[leadpenny]

I'm guessing that it does have something to do with the economy, however, I'm still humbled and proud that the Marines and the Army are meeting and exceeding their recruiting goals. We've lost at least 47 Americans in the first 12 days of December in Iraq, but the volunteers keep coming. I'm impressed.

[Jack Black]

Sad that there are so many people who didn't study hard and now have to go to Iraq. (/sarcasm)

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Someone should send this to Rangel and tell him to stick up his...

[leadpenny]

Six years is way too long to continue to place any blame on the Clinton administration.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

No.

Next question?

[Xenalyte]

Your explanation is perfect, and thanks!

As for the practice, it's lame indeed. "Killing and capturing" in particular would seem to be mutually exclusive.

[COBOL2Java]

Military meets, exceeds recruiting goals

"They're all idiots! Snookered by Bush!"

[pfflier]

Probably more word of mouth. It is likely that many of the returning troops have told prospective recruits the reality of the situation, not the usual MSM gloom and doom.

Friends and students of mine have pictures, videos and souveniers as well as very positive stories about the Iraqi people they have met. To a man, they all said that they would go back. (they were all in combat arms, not REMFs).

[bnelson44]

If we are going to surge the force, they are going to need to exceed these goals a lot more.

[bnelson44]

Doubt it. All those going into the Marines and Army have about a 100% chance of going to Iraq. You don't do that for economic reasons alone.

[SandRat]

Gee! I didn't hear that from the MSM. Wonder why??? < / sarc

[StarCMC]

I wonder why indeed!!

[Redcloak]

I ges they shuud a studyed gooder.. now their stukked in irak.

</kerry>

[glock rocks]

Please pray on this day, and every day, for our Patriot Armed Forces standing in harm's way around the world in defense of our liberty, and for the families awaiting their safe return.

The Federalist - It's right, and it's free.

[SHOOT THE MOON bat]

My daughter enlisted in the Air Force on Nov.1. The day John Kerry explained to all of us who exactly joins the service. HaHa. She leaves for BMT in Feb. Her father and I are extremely proud and excited for her.

[kristinn]

Young? The max initial recruitment age has been raised to what, 65? Okay, that's a bit of an exaggeration, but standards are losening so we can have positive headlines like this. Let's not kid ourselves here.

Steel Wolf, when the Associated Press shows you're full of it, it might be time to take a break:

Before shipping off to basic training, recruits must meet physical standards and those 40 and older are given additional medical screenings.

They must undergo the same training exercises as younger recruits.

"A bullet and a bayonet don't discriminate," Shwedo said. "As a result, our training program has to ensure that every soldier is going to be able to outmaneuver, outfight and win on today's battlefield."

As if the grueling physical training is not taxing enough, the older recruits must also deal with barrack-mates whose average age is 21.

"They have the college-aged mind and the high school mind," said Pfc. Caroll Martinez, 42, of Kansas City, Mo. "I'm so beyond that."

Covington agrees -- especially after being called "Grandpa" by his military peers. But he had the last laugh, receiving the highest fitness score of his entire company in basic training.

[tobyhill]

God bless these patriots! These are times that I once again feel proud to be an American and to know that these heroes are looking after my safety and all American's safety.

[Hydroshock]

US AIR FORCE OATH OF ENLISTMENT
"I, (State your name), swear to sign away 4 years of my life to the UNITED STATES AIR FORCE because I know I couldn't hack it in the Army, because the Marines frighten me, and because I am afraid of water over waist-deep. I swear to sit behind a desk. I also swear not to do any form of real exercise, but promise to defend our bike-riding test as a valid form of exercise. I promise to walk around calling everyone by their first name because I find it amusing to annoy the other services. I will have a better quality of life than those around me and will, at all times, be sure to make them aware of that fact. After completion of "Basic Training", I will be a lean, mean, donut-eating, Lazy-Boy sitting, civilian-wearing-blue-clothes, Chair-borne Ranger. I will believe I am superior to all others and will make an effort to clean the knife before stabbing the next person in the back. I will annoy those around me, and will go home early every day. So Help Me God!"

_____ Signature

_____ Date
US ARMY OATH OF ENLISTMENT
"I, Rambo, swear to sign away 4 years of my mediocre life to the UNITED STATES ARMY because I couldn't score high enough on the ASVAB to get into the Air Force, I'm not tough enough for the Marines, and the Navy won't take me because I can't swim. I will wear camouflage every day and tuck my trousers into my boots because I can't figure out how to use blousing straps. I promise to wear my uniform 24 hours a day even when I have a date. I will continue to tell myself that I am a fierce killing machine because my Drill Sergeant told me I am, despite the fact that the only action I will see is a Court-Martial for sexual harassment. I acknowledge the fact that I will make E-8 in my first year of service, and vow to maintain that it is because I scored perfect on my PT test. After completion of my Sexual.....er.....I mean "Basic Training, " I will attend a different Army school every other month and return knowing less than I did when I left. On my first trip home after Boot Camp, I will walk around like I am cool and propose to my 9th grade sweetheart. I will make my wife stay home because if I let her out she might leave me for a better-looking Air Force guy. Should she leave me twelve times, I will continue to take her back. While at work, I will maintain a look of knowledge while getting absolutely nothing accomplished. I will arrive to work every day at 1000 hrs because of morning PT and leave everyday at 1300 to report back to "COMPANY." I understand that I will undergo no training whatsoever that will help me get a job upon separation, and will end up working construction with my friends from high school. I will brag to everyone about the Army giving me $30, 000 for college, but will be unable to use it because I can't pass a placement exam. So Help Me God!"

_____ Signature

_____ Date
US NAVY OATH OF ENLISTMENT
"I, Top Gun, in lieu of going to prison, swear to sign away 4 years of my life to the UNITED STATES NAVY, because I want to hang out with Marines without actually having to BE one of them, because I thought the Air Force was too "corporate, " because I didn't want to actually live in dirt like the Army, and because I thought, "Hey, I like to swim...why not?" I promise to wear clothes that went out of style in 1976 and to have my name stenciled on the butt of every pair of pants I own. I understand that I will be mistaken for the Good Humor Man during summer, and for Nazi Waffen SS during the winter. I will strive to use a different language than the rest of the English-speaking world, using words like "deck, bulkhead, cover, gee dunk, scuttlebutt, scuttle and head," when I reallymean "floor, wall, hat, candy, water fountain, hole in wall and toilet." I will take great pride in the fact that all Navy acronyms, rank, and insignia, and everything else for that matter, are completely different from the other services and make absolutely no sense whatsoever. I will muster, whatever that is, at 0700 every morning unless I am buddy-buddy with the Chief, in which case I will show up around 0930. I vow to hone my coffee cup-handling skills to the point that I can stand up in a kayak being tossed around in a typhoon, and still not spill a drop. I consent to being promoted and subsequently busted at least twice per fiscal year. I realize that, once selected for Chief, I am required to submit myself to the sick, and quite possibly illegal, whims of my newfound "colleagues." So Help Me Neptune!"

______ Signature

______ Date
US MARINE CORPS OATH OF ENLISTMENT
"I, (make up a name the police won't recognize), swear..uhhhh ....high-and-tight....grunt...cammies....kill....fix bayonets....charge....slash ....dig....burn....blowup....ugh...Air Force women....beer.....sailors' wives..... air strikes....yes SIR!....whiskey....liberty call....salute....Ooorah Gunny.... grenades...women....OORAH! So Help Me Chesty PULLER!"

X____ Thumb Print

XX _________ Teeth Marks

[BlessedBeGod]

Wonder if this has any economic reasons for happening, as in the economy is not really doing as well as some reporting.

Not possible. The Democrats are in charge now. We live in a utopia.

[tobyhill]

You trying to be funny at the expense of our troops? It ain't workin.

[MrNatural]

..The max initial recruitment age has been raised to what, 65? ...

Don't get my hopes up like that ..

[Hydroshock]

Lighten up, Francis. I got that from an old Army buddy of mine.

[M. Thatcher]

Jesus, I am SICK of stupid writing. Meeting and exceeding are different. One may meet on the way to exceeding, and if one exceeds, by definition one has met. To write that something "meets and exceeds" is redundant and moronic.

The headline is fine. As the article explains, some branches met recruiting goals, others exceeded them.

And speaking of "sick," Drama Queen, I am SICK of people invoking Christ whenever they're momentarily annoyed.

[tobyhill]

Thanks for clarifying your intent and my name ain't Francis. It's good to hear that your intent wasn't to bash our troops, maybe a little note to indicate that would help, but I've been around a couple years and long enough to hear the scum bag trolls that do.

[albee]

"I was a pampered princess from an upper-middle class family. I had a full academic scholarship to Luther College in Iowa. I didn't have to join....."

But...but...Jon Cary says that only those with no other options enlist in the military.

You know...those who didn't study, etc.

Surely Jonn Keri would know.

He served in Vietnam, you know! (/sarcasm).

Congratulations on your wise decision and thank you for your service.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Personal economics may play into it but I believe--despite the recent election and these skewed AP polls--that the American population is still shifting to the political right. I think patriotism is as high as it ever was. I believe a "silent majority" who represent traditional American values is alive and well.

[Democratshavenobrains]

Recruiting meets its quota-Libs say its because of bad economy and most of the recruits are neo-nazi gang members.

Recruiting doesn't meet its quota-Libs say our military is scared of the big bad Iraqis.

[Diana in Wisconsin]

As we say in Wisconsin, "You're Lawrence Welkum!"

Somehow, traveling the world appealed to me more at age 18 than spending FOUR YEARS in Iowa, LOL!

[Eastbound]

"I feel a major conflict is in the making and we best be prepared for it."

Agree absolutely. I'll go further and say that it's just as vital to elect a retired military professional as our next president. Scouts out! Time's a'waistin'.

[BeHoldAPaleHorse]

Wonder if this has any economic reasons for happening, as in the economy is not really doing as well as some reporting.

OK, 'fess up!

You're either Jon Carry or Charlie Rangel!

[Reagan Man]

>>>> ... the Pentagon said Tuesday it is having success enlisting new troops.

Freedom of choice is a great right.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

TANKS fer the Funi,LOLROF;0)

[Brilliant]

John Kerry: "There sure are a lot of dumb people in America."

Charles Rangel: "Only black people join the military."

[WhistlingPastTheGraveyard]

What, you don't like it when your ideas or thoughts are challenged?

[lawdude]

"Wonder if this has any economic reasons for happening, as in the economy is not really doing as well as some reporting."

What real indications of economic slowdown do you see to support that? I see nothing but positive economic conditions with slowdown on the side.

[RWB Patriot]

I wonder if this will have any effect on my chances of getting in.