Leaving the Army not an easy decision, but it's an increasingly common one

[lebkuchen]

http://www.estripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=29285


Spc. Michael Aubee, left, says deployments are part of the job for soldiers, and he has no trouble with that. But the Baumholder-based soldier said dealing with “micromanagers and meddlers” in his chain of command made him want to try looking for a job with Army contractors. Aubee talks with counselor Cathy Douglas in Baumholder’s Army Career and Alumni Program office.

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The enlistment rate for the Army as a whole dropped nearly 12 percent the year the United States invaded Iraq. Re-enlistments dropped to 63.2 percent in 2004 from a peak of about 75.1 percent in 2003, according to data from the Department of the Army.

The amount of unemployment the Army paid out rose to $69 million for the fourth quarter, 2004, up from $46 million the previous quarter, according to Army documents. By comparison, the amount of unemployment the Air Force paid dropped to $12.3 million from $13.5 million during the same period.

The two Germany-based divisions — the 1st AD and 1st Infantry Division — historically have higher re-enlistment rates than U.S.-based divisions. Post-Iraq re-enlistment rates have remained about the same for U.S. Army Europe as before the war, Sgt. Maj. William Sharpsteen, command career counselor for the Heidelberg-based USAREUR, told Stars and Stripes in March.

But there are indications that even they are losing personnel.

more...

[MADem]

1. That guy in the link looks like he does not meet fitness standards

...but if things keep up, they'll let those go by the wayside as well.

And if he only has four years in, they can drag him back, overweight or not. He ain't off the hook until the entire term of his reserve obligation expires, and he gets the "yer done" paperwork.

[merwin]

2. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought that it was futile to leave, as

they will just stop-loss you.