Army Reserve falters on recruitment

[sabra]

Source: USA Today

WASHINGTON — The Army Reserve, whose troops drive trucks on bomb-riddled roads and help set up local governments in Iraq and Afghanistan, is struggling to recruit soldiers.

The Army Reserve missed its recruiting goal by 5% last year and is 9% short of its target this year, records show. Halfway through the 2007 budget year, it was nearly 1,300 soldiers short of its midyear goal of 14,273.

...

Before the 9/11 terror attacks, reservists could count on training one weekend a month and two weeks in the summer. They might be called to active duty in an emergency.

Those days are over, said Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, the Army Reserve's top officer.

Read more: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2007-04-10-army-reserve-recruitment_N.htm

[MikeNearMcChord]

1. And it looks like young officers are taking a hike too

The Academy graduates retaining rate is at it's lowest. Way to go Shrub!

[Monkeyman]

3. I don't care we want to go home give your left your right

[Robbien]

2. Why would anyone join the reserves today?

Being in the reserves these days just means they get to pay you less, train you less and equip you less when you are shipped off to an occupation zone.

Why join the reserves when one gets better treatment joining regular military?

[Dr.Phool]

4. My friends daughter- Army Reserve.

Just got back from her third Iraq tour.

[gratuitous]

5. "Those days are over"

And isn't it funny how word spreads that it's not just a weekend a month and two weeks in the summer anymore? Even the guys out smoking behind the ag building know the score nowadays, and getting your butt shot off for no good reason just isn't as attractive a prospect for a 17-year-old as you might think.

[LiberalFighter]

9. Don't they want to experience of bullets whistling by their ears.

The rush of adrenaline pulsing thru their veins. The excitement they could have every day of their tour.

[AnneD]

6. Even if they do ...

wrap up the Iraq War soon...they will have to institute a draft to build up our Reserve. ChuckleNuts has destroyed one of the finest, most dedicated professional fighting forces. Without a draft, it will take a generation to replace up to it's pre-war strength.

I was a Reservist and am in a position to recommend young folks and I certainly never will ever again!

[SpiralHawk]

7. NEW SLOGAN: "Join today and boost republicon crony War Profits"

Your friends and family will be so proud of you for believing the republicon lies, and boosting republicon oil and munitions profits !!!

[LiberalFighter]

8. If they run out of live bodies they could always dig up the ones that died on purpose

and use them as sentry guards.