War causes recruiting problems.

[ponto]

The US Army has slipped further behind its recruiting goals amid the Iraq war, figures released yesterday show, as officials developed proposals to double cash bonuses and offer mortgage aid for enlisting.

Army officials have said potential recruits and their families had been wary of service during the conflict, and civilian job opportunities also were affecting recruiting.

The Pentagon said the Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Air National Guard all missed their May recruiting goals.


http://www.goarmy.com/flindex.jsp

[tkcomer]

Well duhh. Most kids that join want to further their education and can’t really afford it or don’t want to go in over their heads in debt. And just about all that join will willingly fight to defend this country. But it looks like the new batch of high school graduates would rather flip burgers than fight to defend big business. Now if we can get those young voters to throw this bunch out.

[Jeremy]

Personally I think everyone who said, "Yeah, this war is a good idea" should go and volunteer. It's one thing to send off other people, but if all the people who said go for it signed up, there wouldn't be a recruitment problem. Or, if all the people in Washington who voted for the war sent their sons and daughters, that would be interesting too. The Bush daughters are old enough and not doing anything remarkable. Why aren't they out there?

[Daphne]

Because they are the Bush's Daughters. That's why. The man may act like like a dufus 99% of the time but when it comes to the safety of his own family he has a level head on his shoulders.

[GirlColumbo]

heres a novel idea, why not recruit cold blooded killers who are already on death row, seems to me they owe their country a lot...........not to mention the families who they have put through ****. Chuck please dont edit with heck, **** is not a curse word, but a place, most of the human race equates with torture. (Asking in a courteous way as a writer)

[acoolmom777]

If Kerry would have been elected then we would be under another countries rule. So which is worse fighting the war over there or here??????? War on american soil would freak people out...(this is coming from an ex-air force brat). As far as 'recruiting problems" wars are not fought like they used to be....the goverment just wants to justify where the money for the military is going, so the more we recruit the more we can justify. Personally I think our military personnel is way over worked and under paid. All of there medical should be paid 100% family wide and they should never have a mortage payment while they are enlisted.

[tkcomer]

And what country’s rule would we be under? There are only two countries that are a real threat to us militarily. China and Russia. And Russia has not fully recovered from going almost bankrupt. Their soldiers are sometimes not paid and are hungry. And that’s because they kept spending heavily on the military, sticking their nose where it didn't’ belong until the country collapsed economically. If high schoolers would bone up a little more on history and learn what our founding fathers said, the military would have a hard time getting anyone to sign up.

[mark]

..................another reason Russia is broke is because of Communism. When the gov't has it all & the citizen doesn't, it's no wonder they are not paid & hungry...............see ya Mark

[navywife]

The US Army has slipped further behind its recruiting goals amid the Iraq war, figures released yesterday show, as officials developed proposals to double cash bonuses and offer mortgage aid for enlisting.

Army officials have said potential recruits and their families had been wary of service during the conflict, and civilian job opportunities also were affecting recruiting.

The Pentagon said the Navy Reserve, Marine Corps Reserve and Air National Guard all missed their May recruiting goals.


http://www.goarmy.com/flindex.jsp
Our command NRD Indy made goal for May plus some and I did not hear about the rest of the country missing since we took a goal reduction due to downsizing.....
As for the young people not wanting to join I disagree considering my husband did not have any problems and just the other day I was at the office and the other recruiter had 3 people walk in within about 30 mins .....
I am for this war and would love to be in it and yes I have loved ones in this war including my husband ........

[tkcomer]

I wonder what recruitment will do in the next few months. The latest Gallup poll shows about 60% of the people disapprove of us being in Iraq and now the generals in charge are saying we can’t win militarily. And Congess is getting nervous. With the majority of the people no longer behind them, they are now talking about a pullout or at least a reduction of troops.

[acoolmom777]

And what country’s rule would we be under?

Take your pick...there is most likely terrorist from many countries in the US. If any of them would rise up America would be in trouble...We would not know how to handle war on our own soil. As far as my own personal opinion...I would worry more about the Japanese. We go to war with them, help rebuild their country and then they get rich over here in the US…please tell me what is wrong with that picture…

[tkcomer]

We already have terrorists in this country. They’re called gangs. That’s part of my problem. We spend trillions sticking our nose where it doesn’t belong and won’t take care of the problems in this country. And we owe Japan so much money, they could devastate our stock market anytime they want. But I don’t think they will. China, on the other hand, is maneuvering itself into the same position. And they are definitely not friendly. And when that happens, the military won’t worry about recruitment. They are one of the first to get gutted when an economy collapses. Unless the government funds the military to protect themselves against us.

[GirlColumbo]

Two young soldiers have been in Fleming County all day recruiting for the National Guard you can see their picture at www.themessengerlive.com