(Air Force) Re-enlistment rates plunged in 2008

[unhappycamper]

Re-enlistment rates plunged in 2008
By Erik Holmes - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Nov 8, 2008 9:53:48 EST

The Air Force’s re-enlistment rates for fiscal 2008 fell to their lowest levels — by far — since before the wars began in 2001, according to Defense Department statistics. But Air Force officials say their own broader measures show the service is still well-positioned.

The Air Force achieved only 72 percent of its fiscal 2008 re-enlistment goal, according to the Defense Department — a precipitous drop compared with the 97 percent the service achieved in 2007 and 113 percent in 2006.

But Air Force personnel officials downplay those numbers, arguing the Defense Department figures account for only the 15 percent or so of the enlisted force that is up for re-enlistment in any given year.

And more to the point, said Lt. Col. Ken Sersun, deputy chief of the Air Force’s force management division, the service made its end-strength goal for 2008.

“Retention is a factor that drives the ultimate goal that we meet end strength,” he said. “In terms of end strength this year ... we’re right in the ballpark.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/11/af_retention_110808/%2e

[Angleae]

1. How do you retain more than 100% of those targeted?

Chart on left shows army at 114% and navy at 101% (or did the chart mean career field slots)