GIs marching away from re-enlistment

[Qanisqineq]

Maybe this is why my husband and I went from #500-something on the waiting list for housing at Ft. Carson to GETTING housing all within two months after he got back from Iraq. :shrug:

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GIs marching away from re-enlistment

http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/america_at_war/article/0,1299,DRMN_2116_2961385,00.html

By Dick Foster, Rocky Mountain News
June 14, 2004

COLORADO SPRINGS - Army re-enlistments have dropped suddenly and dramatically at Fort Carson and several other posts where combat units have recently returned from Iraq.

The surprising decline within the past 21/2 months has jolted recruiters and military analysts and provoked questions about the war's effect on the Army's recruiting ability.

Since Fort Carson units began coming home in April, post recruiters have met only 57 percent of their quota for re-enlisting first-term soldiers for a second hitch, according to an Army report.

<snip>

But others familiar with the Army think the numbers could signal growing discontent. Iraq may be exposing some vulnerabilities of an undersized, overstretched Army.

"It sounds to me like the Army is voting with its feet," said John Pike, director of GlobalSecurity.org, an Alexandria, Va., think tank.

<more>

[ewagner]

1. Rummy and Myers...

keep telling us that the military is meeting their enlistment/re-enlistment goals (quotas) on a monthly basis........

are they playing it fast and loose with the facts again?

they wouldn't do that would they ? :eyes:

[MallRat]

2. Devastating. THIS will be the legacy of Bush's Iraq fiasco.

...a decimated, demoralized military that won't be ready when we ACTUALLY DO need them.

Heaven help us.

-MR

[Eloriel]

13. What fascinates me is that the recruiters were "jolted" by

the results. Maybe they should pick up a newspaper now and then, ya think? I mean I'm sitting here as "jolted" by their "joltedness" as they were "jolted" by the lack of re-ups in the first place. LOL. Morans. Little dose of reality for ya, fella.

And yes, no only will ARE our forces already decimated, our equipment definitely is and supplies probably too.

[HawkerHurricane]

5. They are hitting their Re-Enlistment quotas!

"Shoot first, and call whatever you hit the target".

By changing the quotas after the month/quarter is over, you can be sure that they will always hit the quota.

[indepat]

12. Naw! Neither Rummy nor Myers would lie to the Congress or the American

people?

[tabasco]

3. Not To Worry !

The guys from FreeRepublic dot com are flocking to the recruiters!

[bemildred]

4. Lies, all of it stinking lies, they are re-enlisting in droves.

Droves I tell you, Iraq is a soldiers paradise, the mission is
clear, morale is improving constantly. Say, you look suspicious.

[Qanisqineq]

6. nothing but stinking lies!

I like how the one guy points out that reenlistment is probably down due to soldiers being away on leave. :eyes: My husband said they were offered $20,000 bonuses to reenlist while in Iraq. Tax free. He didn't take them up on it.

[Moderator]

7. Tolania

Per DU copyright rules
please post only four
paragraphs from the
news source.

Thank you.

DU Moderator

[kaitykaity]

8. Gee, it's gettin' awfully drafty

over here.

[Raster]

9. Growing discontent...

"But others familiar with the Army think the numbers could signal growing discontent."

REALLY?!? Growing discontent in the military? Who knew...I mean, things are going so well. And the folks in the military are treated SO WELL by this (mis)administration. I just don't understand...

[struggle4progress]

10. I want a real President! I'm tired of this cheap piece of plastic!

[tom_paine]

11. As well they should, sorry am I that this is the truth

I signed up to defend the Old American Republic.

I would NOT sign up to defend the Imperial Bush Family Business Interests, which is the only job Armed Forces Personnel have now.

Bunnypants* should just hire more Hessians.