June 16, 2007:
For the first time in two years, the
U.S. Army missed a monthly recruiting goals. The army brought in 5,101 new
recruits in May, seven percent short of what it expected. However, the army
still expects to make its annual goal because it is about 2,000 recruits ahead
with its fiscal year-to-date (which began last October) total. The other
services are also making their recruiting numbers. The only exception is the
army and air force National Guard. These are state controlled organizations,
that are only mobilized for federal service when they are needed overseas. The
army National Guard (which comprises half the armys reserve force) came up 12
percent short in May, while the air force National Guard came up 23 percent
short. The army National Guard is actually on the upswing in recruiting, having
been even deeper in the hole two years ago.
Overall the U.S. volunteer military recruiting is
holding up well in wartime. This is a unique situation, as the United States
has never fought a foreign war this long before, without resorting to
conscription. The main reason for this is that the troops are well paid, the
casualty rates, compared to past wars, are very low, and the troops are given
time at home, between tours in Iraq or Afghanistan, and good living conditions
in the combat zone. There's also the patriotic aspect, which is seen more on
the Internet, than in the mass media. The volunteers know they are going to
war, why they are going, and after being to Iraq or Afghanistan, re-enlist in
record numbers.