May Recruiting Shows Across-the-Board Success

American Forces Press Service ^

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, June 10, 2009 – May was a banner recruiting month for every military service, but especially for the Marine Corps, which topped its active-duty goal by 42 percent and its Marine Corps Reserve goal by 12 percent, Defense Department officials announced today.

The Marine recruiting successes represent a particularly high point among across-the-board recruiting successes in which every service met or exceeded its May active-duty goal, officials said.

The reserve components reported similar progress. The three components that fell short of their projected May goals did so because only because they already have reached 112 percent of their year-to-date goals, officials explained.

The Army exceeded its active-duty goal by 4 percent, recruiting 4,044 soldiers. The Marine Corps reported 2,146 active-duty accessions, 42 percent above its goal of 1,516.

Meanwhile, the Navy and Air Force met their monthly active-duty goals, with 2,542 and 2,289 accessions, respectively.

In the reserve components, the Marine Corps Reserve reported 1,196 accessions, 212 percent of its May goal. The Air Force Reserve exceeded its goal by 7 percent, with 770 accessions. The Navy Reserve met its goal, recruiting 574 sailors.

Three reserve components that reported lower-than-initially-expected May recruiting figures all have achieved 112 percent of their year-to-date projections, officials said.

The Army National Guard signed on 3,026 members, 83 percent of its initial May goal. The Air National Guard, with 766 accessions, met 95 percent of its original goal. The Army Reserve recruited 3,178 members, 96 percent of its initial goal.

Officials noted that the May statistics represent the last monthly recruiting efforts before the 2009 high school graduations. This is expected to usher in a busy recruiting month as new graduates join the military.

Marine 1st Lt. Brian Block, a Marine Corps spokesman, called the May recruiting statistics particularly noteworthy because they were achieved without sacrificing quality.

“It says a lot about the organization of the Marine Corps and the tradition we have carried since we were originally founded,” he said. “We take the best and the brightest. And what ultimately attracts people to the Marine Corps is the honor of carrying the title ‘Marine.’”

National Guard Bureau spokesman Army Col. Jamie Davis called recruiting successes in the Army and Air Guard an encouraging sign of “the level of support and patriotism that American citizens have for their country.”

Army Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz, chief of the Army Reserve, lauded continued recruiting successes in the Army Reserve. He noted that the Army Reserve reached its new 206,000-member end-strength objective a year ahead of schedule. During fiscal 2008, the Army Reserve exceeded its goals by recruiting more than 44,000 soldiers and re-enlisting more than 16,000 soldiers, he said.

Related Sites:
Defense Department News Release

[Jagman]

As always, a safe haven from hard times.

[KoRn]

Iraq is winding down, and you can’t beat the job security during bad economic times.

[edcoil]

That many people want to work for “O”.

[Carling]

Jobs created!

[trumandogz]

This trend started when we entered the recession last year.

[gatorhead]

Any wonder why the Marines lead in recruiting? They’re the branch that has not yet been fully feminized. And, BTW, I’m an Army veteran. 82nd Airborne, infantry, 1982-1986. My brother, 17 years my junior, and a nephew are Marine veterans. Both saw combat in Iraq and Afghanistan.

[AZ .44 MAG]

One of my few regrets in life was not making a career out of the Marines.

On the positive side though, after 4 years I got out as a Corporal. After 20 I might have got out as a Private.

[SandRat]

Both Honorable Ranks.

[AZ .44 MAG]

Yeah. But Corporal pays better and you get to supervise Privates instead of being one. [;-)

And I do get your point. Military service is always honorable no matter what the rank or branch. Even if it was in the Navy.

*ducking snd running for cover*

Thanks to you for your service, SandRat.

[SandRat]

Not from me I’m a mud-Doggie.

[AZ .44 MAG]

Can you block for me? It’ll be incoming soon.

(And I know I asked for it [;-)

[SandRat]

Improvise - Adapt - and Overcome SEMPER FI!

[AZ .44 MAG]

I agree. But reinforcements and suppressing fire are always welcome.

[SandRat]

Can lay down fusillade direct fire but for real suppressive fire you need a Red-Leg; Call For FIre - Red Dog ONE, NAPOLEON 3 - Troops in the Open - H and I - Range 500 - Right 10 - FIRE! Adjust Fire - Drop 50 - Left 2 - FIRE! On Target - BATTERY FIRE 5 Rounds - FIRE!

[AZ .44 MAG]

Oorah!

[SandRat]

How’d you like the call for fire.

[AZ .44 MAG]

I liked it. Fusillades are always good no matter why they’re called.

Although as an air winger I would probably have saluted as the Cobras took off and hoped for the best.

[SandRat]

Enlisted Airdales stay at the airfield and send their Officers/Warreants off to a HOT LZ.

[AZ .44 MAG]

Enlisted Airdales stay at the airfield and send their Officers/Warreants off to a HOT LZ.

I f you think an E-4 gets to "send" officers anywhere you served in a different military than I did. I enlisted and followed orders as did every other enlisted man I served with. I volunteered to be a door gunner on a CH-53 but was turned down because my MOS was "critical".

I never disparage anyone's service although I do occasionally razz a Navy guy good naturedly.