Are They In The Army Now?

victorhanson.com ^ | 07/04/05 | Victor Davis Hanson

[smoothsailing]

Are They in the Army Now?

Figures on U.S. military recruitment just released for 2005 show that the Army missed its monthly announced goal, achieving only 75 percent of its anticipated enlistments for this May. The Army National Guard and the Army Reserve also missed their desired monthly targets. Stories in the press followed, claiming that the Pentagon is lowering Army standards to pull in new recruits and address the fallout from the depressing news from Iraq.

[refermech]

Well, if you join the service you might have to go fight and die for your country. And you might be captured and beheaded on national TV. I'd say that would explain the downturn in recruitment.

[smoothsailing]

Shazzam!!!! ;)

[Non-Sequitur]

bump

[lilylangtree]

Surprise! Surprise! Surprise! (as said by Gomer Pyle)

[armydawg1]

You have to stop trying to use logic. Never lose sight of the fact that news stories highlighting "trouble" in the Army or Military are deisgned to undermine the war effort. The writers couldn't care less about the Army itself. They also know that the country does not want a draft, so that should we ever get to that point, they automatically win converts to their "lose at all costs" desires.

[kellynla]

Thanks! LOL

good work

[kellynla]

ping

[Moose2496]

Half of these morons in the media would happily broadcast that their arm was just chopped off if they thought they had a chance of getting anyone's attention. The problem is that a majority of the American people are too sheep-minded to turn off the boob tube when they catch the idiots in a blatant misrepresentation of the truth. How many sheep are still watching CBS News? If anyone thinks that Dan Rather was the cancer they're lucky to get out of bed in the morning without chopping their own heads off. Rather was a symptom. He was a product of the system. The cancer lies at the very heart of our news organizations. Only by turning off the propaganda that is incessantly broadcast on a daily basis can truth seeking Americans reclaim their daily news. Use the internet, people! Get some variety in your news sources!

And you're right Dawg...those morons couldn't care less about us soldiers. All we are is news (read: propaganda) fodder...what a shame.

[kellynla]

Another excellent piece by Hansen.

We mourn the death of every man and women who has been killed in Iraq & Afghanistan but taking into consideration that we have liberated FIFTY MILLION PEOPLE in three years, the results have been outstanding.

And as I have mentioned before, taken into perspective, 1900 deaths are substantial but I remember months when I was in Viet Nam that we lost four and five hundred a week.

So the death toll is considerable but compared to other wars in American history, I believe we are doing an exemplary job of keeping it low.

Semper Fi,
Kelly

[VeniVidiVici]

There was also a huge downturn in recruitment and lowering of standards under Carter.

Hmmm. Wonder if there is a connection?

[pfony1]

Could it be that, in the "worst economy since Herbert Hoover", some good potential recruits are finding good civilian jobs?

[Dutch Boy]

The MSM media seems to think that this has never happened before. During the Clinton administration there was also a recruiting problem. They lowered the standard to let my ex's son from her first marriage. He was a high school drop out that couldn't get a job at the local grocery store as a bagger. He was allowed to join the navy. Half way through basic training (or what ever the navy calls it) he was thrown out. Less than a year later he joined the army and was thrown out of their too.

The problem with recruitment is caused by several factors. The ACLU and others fight to keep recruiters away from schools and colleges. Our own elected officials like Ted Kennedy, Durbin, Kerry and the rest find a morbid pleasure in making public speeches doubting the war plan, mocking and degrading serviceman. The MSM gets more mileage from bad news than good news. Then the constant drum beating call a draft only by those that hate the military.

[ravingnutter]

MSM: "Army missed recruiting goals"...blah, blah, blah...DRAFT IS IMMINENT!!!!!

At least this article clears it up:

First, the Marines have suffered disproportionate fatalities in the war in Iraq. They are about 30 percent of all combat deaths, yet make up only 11 percent of current American forces. But in May the Marines slightly exceeded their recruitment goal. The Air Force and Navy likewise met 100 percent of their requirements. The Army traditionally has had the hardest time meeting its targets, given the reputation — warranted or not — that the other branches offer more specialized training and skills that will better enhance civilian careers without the same level of risk as ground combat.

Second, the year is only half over. The Army may well rebound and meet its full 2005 quota, as nearly all branches of the active services (the Army and Air National Guard were exceptions) did in 2004.

And most articles fail to mention is that to date, the Army has exceeded its retention goal by 107 percent. The Army National Guard retention was 106.5 percent and Air National Guard retention was 105 percent. Every other branch of the service met or exceeded retention goals.

[Tolik]

Thanks, it was posted a few times already, so the VDH ping list has been pinged. But the more VDH the merrier. If somebody missed it, it's a great read (as always).

[jpl]

Well, if you join the service you might have to go fight and die for your country. And you might be captured and beheaded on national TV. I'd say that would explain the downturn in recruitment.

And it doesn't help much at all when the military leadership court-martials guys for firing "too many rounds" at the enemy. Who the heck wants to operate under the rules of engagement of a New Jersey state trooper thousands of miles away in a nation full of primitive savages?

[easonc52]

Our own elected officials like Ted Kennedy, Durbin, Kerry and the rest find a morbid pleasure in making public speeches doubting the war plan, mocking and degrading serviceman.

Yep. Just saw Teddy doing that just a few minutes ago.

[wingnutx]

Well, if you join the service you might have to go fight and die for your country. And you might be captured and beheaded on national TV. I'd say that would explain the downturn in recruitment.

Then why did the Marines exceed their goal?

[TomasUSMC]

Because those who join the Marines are different from the rest. They are the Best or want to be the Best.

[wingnutx]

They want to chance to work closely with Navy Field Corpsmen :)