A new report for the Australian Defense Force notes the worst recruiting and retention numbers in 10 years. The report notes that about 3,000 personnel have left the Australian military in each of the last three years, compared to 2,150 departures in each of the ten previous years. During 1999 and 2000, the Australian military recruited 4,043 personnel but 6,467 left the service, and net loss of 2,424 from a service with only about 51,000 personnel. A poll showed that fully 1/3 of Australian military personnel plan to leave the service rather than re-enlist. Land combat units are under strength, and there are not enough pilots to make all of the squadrons operational. During 1999 and 2000, the Australian military missed its recruiting goals by 26% for active duty units and by 69% for reserve units. Most Australian military procurement programs are stalled as they government fumbles to create a new "private funding initiative" as a coherent framework for buying new weapons.--Stephen V Cole