N. Korea's got the bomb...

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Outofdodge

Again look around, The republicans are losing ground there too now. Extended forced enlistments, multiple tours to Iraq, previously mentioned medling and inappropriate missions are taking their toll.

The reenlistment rate (that's people IN the Army...staying in) is very good right now...and yes that's the people that have been to Iraq, some more than once...still reenlisting.

"The 10th Mountain Division, which is the Army's most deployed division, lead the Army this year, which ended in September 2006 in re-enlistments, we are the number one division in reenlistment," he said.

[Outofdodge]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

The reenlistment rate (that's people IN the Army...staying in) is very good right now...and yes that's the people that have been to Iraq, some more than once...still reenlisting.

If you say so.

Why didn't you answer the other question?

[Army_of_One]

Originally Posted by Outofdodge

If you say so.

Why didn't you answer the other question?

Actually I didn't say so...I'm just conveying the facts. These facts are often buried in the liberal media and go unreported. I'll address the other ?

[lurker]

The Hutchnews' spin...

Basic straining?


Recruit retainee numbers artificially inflated by Army

Tired of taking hits on many fronts about fewer people signing up for military service since the war in Iraq began more than three years ago, U.S. Army officials finally had some good news to report this week: Recruitment numbers are up.


The Army recruited 80,635 soldiers, roughly 7,000 more than last year and 635 more than its 80,000 goal. About 70,000 were first-time recruits, and the higher numbers come a year after the Army missed its recruitment target by the widest margin since 1979.

Now the catch: The Army lowered its standards to make its goal. More than 2,600 of the new soldiers would not have made the cut under the Army's old aptitude criteria; the standards were lowered to help fill the ranks.

Over the last three years, sharp declines in recruitment numbers for Army and other military service units coincided with steady climbs of U.S. causalty rates in Iraq. Fewer parents were willing to send their young sons and daughters off to a war that has no end in sight.

As of Wednesday, 2,752 American military men and women had died in Iraq since the March 2003 invasion. The number of maimed soldiers is far higher; at least 20,687 U.S. troops have been wounded in action, according to the Pentagon.

Though the Army increased bonuses to aid recent recruiting efforts, the lowered aptitude standards also played a key role in bringing more soldiers into the ranks.

Aptitude generally is defined as natural ability or suitability for a particular task. In other words, the Army has recruited at least 2,600 soldiers who, based on previous standards, generally are not suited for service in the armed forces.

The Army defended the move with a statement that all recruits with low scores had received high school diplomas. Army officials are deluded if they believe the ability to earn a high school diploma automatically equips a person with the intelligence to carry out dangerous missions, let alone carry a weapon.

Test-taking ability, Army officials said, does not measure loyalty, duty, honor, integrity or courage.

That statement might fly if the Army had lowered its aptitude standards when the United States wasn't knee-deep in an increasingly questionable war and, more pointedly, had maintained or exceeded recruitment levels since March 2003. Plain and simple, though, the Army is hurting for recruits, and in seeking ways to pad the numbers, it lowered its standards.


10/13/2006; 02:36:02 AM

[TexKan]

It is possible that the overall score of obtaining a particular MOS was lowered. I recall the score needed for medical was much higher than needed for some other type support MOS. Course it don't matter much - you still have to be at least HS or GED qualified. I think it's horrible to say that just cause ya joined the military - ya must be unemployable in other areas. These kids know the risks and feel it's worth it.

My nehpew's son just joined....... he is neither stupid or unemployable - it was what HE wanted to do................ don't be so ready to lump everyone in the same trash box that some of you keep your opinion in.......... I see and feel the sacrifice these young people make. It's a choice not an "end of the line" choice either. Be a little respectful........ numbers don't mean crap - unless you have the whole story............ My nephew's son deserves your respect and while he's learnin how to keep your ass safe........... remember there is family that misses him everyday.............

[MetalGear]

Originally Posted by Army_of_One

Too bad a lot of people have "forgot" about 9/11 and what happened. They take freedom for granted. They tie the hands of those that want to protect you. They make it hard, almost impossible...

I for one have not forgotten about 9-11 or that it happened in 2001. I also won't forget that N.Korea claims to have developed the bomb in 2006.
You should try hard to remember who is president now.

[K C Muffin]

Originally Posted by MetalGear

I for one have not forgotten about 9-11 or that it happened in 2001. I also won't forget that N.Korea claims to have developed the bomb in 2006.
You should try hard to remember who is president now.

I just know I missed something here. Huh?

[wordsmythe]

I think he's trying to point out that the current administration is doing what it does... it blames everything on someone else instead of taking any responsibility.

Bush has been in the driver's seat for 6 years and should have been dealing with known problems rather than making more from a personal agenda.

[lurker]

How come it always appears to be foggy in Topeka?

Originally Posted by wordsmythe

I think he's trying to point out that the current administration is doing what it does... it blames everything on someone else instead of taking any responsibility.

Bush has been in the driver's seat for 6 years and should have been dealing with known problems rather than making more from a personal agenda.

[wordsmythe]

Originally Posted by lurker

How come it always appears to be foggy in Topeka?

It wouldn't look foggy all the time if you'd pull your head out of wherever you have it firmly implanted.