Summer Recruiting Remains Strong Across Services

American Forces Press Service ^ | Donna Miles

[SandRat]

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2009 – July was a boom month for military recruiting, with more than 15,000 young men and women entering the active-duty force, defense officials reported today.

July recruiting and retention numbers released today show across-the-board successes, with a new high school graduation class among the recruitment-age population seeking career opportunities.

“In tougher economic times, youth are simply more willing to discuss options with recruiters,” said Bill Carr, deputy undersecretary of defense for military personnel policy. “And when they learn the facts, they see the advantages.”

All four services met or exceeded their July active-duty recruiting goals, officials reported. Meanwhile, the reserve components signed on almost 8,000 new members, with six components meeting or exceeding their monthly goals.

Only the Army National Guard and Air National Guard fell short of their initial July projections. Officials called this an intentional measure designed to help them manage their end strength, because they’re already on track to meet their annual goals.

The ground forces demonstrated the strongest recruiting showings. The Army, with 6,199 active-duty accessions, topped its July goal by 2 percent. The Marine Corps exceeded its active-duty goal by 15 percent, with 3,451 new members.

Both services showed solid successes in reserve-component recruiting, too. The Army Reserve signed on 1,628 soldiers, 123 percent of its monthly goal. The Marine Corps recruited 1,135 members -- 201 percent of its goal.

The Army Guard added 2,562 members to its ranks, and is on a steady track to meet its annual goals, officials said.

Meanwhile, both the Navy and Air Force met their July active-duty goals, signing on 3,421 and 2,654 new members, respectively.

Both services’ reserve components met their July goals, with 688 accessions in the Navy Reserve and 907 in the Air Force Reserve.

The Air Guard signed on 832 airmen, 97 percent of its goal.

[Da Coyote]

Let’s be sure to remind them that they are swearing an oath to defend the constitution - against all enemies - foreign and domestic.

Methinks a certain loon administration will soon try to define certain groups as domestic enemies.

Hopefully, they’ll have forgotten enough of their public school “education” (thanks to quality training by our NCOs) to successfully determine who the real enemies are.

[Da Coyote]

Just in case my previous statement was confusing, I most certainly, positively mean that the training provided military recruits by our NCOs is far, far superior to a public school education in virtually every respect.

Not only that, the recruits will actually learn how to do something useful.

(Unlike certain community “organizers”.)

[wombtotomb]

This is hardly a surprise due to a lack of jobs in the private sector. They at least will now have the ability to pick the cream of the crop our nation has to offer.

I do love a man in uniform!

[max americana]

You are spot on. A good number of them will probably wash out on PT and discover the Army wasn’t for them. My cousin who now serves in Sokor mentioned his initial class by the 3rd week saw his group shrink to 70%.