U.S. soldiers re-enlist at high rate

[Kadie]

U.S. soldiers re-enlist at high rate
By Kimberly Hefling, Associated Press

FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. -- There were no signs of the shrapnel wounds from a roadside bomb in Iraq as Staff Sgt. William Pinkley raised his right hand and swore once more to defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic.

Despite his wounds -- and despite the rising death toll of U.S. troops in Iraq -- he and other soldiers are signing up for another tour of duty, re-enlisting at rates that exceed the retention goals set by the Pentagon.

Pinkley re-upped for three more years, citing the camaraderie and the challenge of a new assignment...

snip...
As of March 31 -- halfway through the Army's fiscal year -- 28,406 soldiers had re-enlisted, topping the six-month goal of 28,377. The Army's goal is to re-enlist 56,100 soldiers by the end of September.


more... http://www.timesstar.com/Stories/0,1413,125~10859~2105988,00.html

[madfloridian]

1. Wasn't this before the extension this month?

I think that will make a difference.

[kalian]

2. Amazing what propaganda can manage....

given enough money... :eyes:

[LostInAnomie]

3. Some may call it a high rate...

..but I call it exceeding your goal by about 1% or 29 troops. That's barely meeting the goal.

[movonne]

4. Be happy no draft.

[xray s]

5. How about the National Guard and the Reserves?

That is where I think you will see a drop. That would be a problem given the huge role they are playing.

[bedtimeforbonzo]

6. no shortage of bloodthirsty ghouls

to sally forth and kill

[toddzilla]

7. That's a very poor statement.

I think that many of these kids have no idea what's going on. The vast majority think that saddam perpetrated 9-11, and i'm sure they think they are fighting terrorists. I dont' excuse their ignorance, but i don't blame them for it either. They only get to watch fox news from what i understand, and are subjected to whatever brainwashing the military has in place 24/7. You can't blame them and it's a disservice to our armed forces to say inflammatory things like you just did.

[Donkeyboy75]

10. I'm piggybacking on toddzilla.

That is an extremely poor statement (on edit: Bonzo's statement). Most of these soldiers were very young upon enlisting. I'm sure most never foresaw something like this, and others had few options.

I don't think it's brainwashing that is making them re-enlist. They are in a very difficult situation over there, and those types of situations foster an unbelievable sense of camaraderie. A lot of soldiers struggle with feeling like they have abandoned their fellow soldiers upon returning from a conflict. I would guess it is this psychology that leads to high re-enlistment.

[beanball]

12. I may not agree

with what he said,but he has the right to say what ever he want to say and I and many other vet fought so he could have that right.

[Redleg]

11. No wonder so many think we liberals hate the soldiers.

People enlist and re-enlist for different reasons- not all of them want to go kill somebody.

Although you have a right to say what you said, please understand that there are many military veterans on this board who may be offended by your callous remarks. I am one of them. I oppose the war in Iraq but do not oppose our use of military to root out, within the bounds of the laws of land warfare, the terrorists who are doing us harm.

[ConcernedCanuk]

14. Not the best choice of words there B4B, but in essence, sadly I agree.

.
.
.

Think about it, if only 1% (that'd be approx. 3 million) of US citizens like violence and killing, there's lots of willing participants available for wars like Iraq.

I've lived in the US, and there's alot more than just 1% of the population that are quite comfortable with settling things by violence.

Sorry,

but in essence,

I have to agree with B4B

(sigh)

[toddzilla]

16. I don't deny his right to express that view.

I do take offense at it, as is my right just as much as B4B's. It most certainly could have been put more eloquently.


Yes, the citizens of this country seem to use violence to solve things above all else. There's a big jump from that to "bloodthirsty ghouls" however.


It's a simple button to push. "these guys did 9-11, and we're going to kick their asses." think of the naievete of the average american, and compound that by the young age, and predominant gender of the average enlistee. Recipe for indocrination.

HOW COULD YOU EVER FIGHT A WAR WHERE THE PARTICIPANTS ACTUALLY KNEW THE INTENDED GOAL????

i'd think people on here would be more enlightened to understand this very elementary point.

[Skittles]

8. the re-enlistment bonuses are high right now

nt

[rolodomo]

15. Yep, I thought the stop loss had something to do with it too...?

something to do with they might as well enlist now and get the big bonus rather than risk falling under a stop loss order and getting much less for their extra duty??

[salonghorn70]

9. todzilla, you said the right thing

Most of these kids love our country, our flag and are proud to help keep this country free. To the other poster: you may not agree with the policy in Iraq, but these are young kids who believe in serving their country. Hmmmm..... Like John Kerry

[Wapsie B]

13. Look at it this way.

The economy's in the shitter. What are these people going to do? I dare say most of these are high school grads at best. If they stay in long enough they MAY actually get some kind of an education and skill to use later on. That is if they can avoid being shot up in some rich man's war.