Active, Reserve Components Meet November Recruiting Goals

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Dec. 11, 2007 - All military components met their recruiting goals in November, Defense Department officials said here yesterday. It was the sixth month in a row that all services made their recruiting goals, officials said.

The military is recruiting in a difficult environment, defense officials said. Only three out of every 10 Americans in the targeted age group qualifies for military service. A good American economy and feelings against the Iraq war degrade the propensity of young Americans to enlist, officials said.

Still, the military is doing well. On the active-duty side, the Marine Corps made 108 percent of its recruiting goal, accessing 2,444 recruits against a goal of 2,263.

The Army had a November goal of 4,750 and signed up 4,783, for 101 percent of its goal. "This is a result of hard work by more than 8,000 recruiters nationwide," Army Recruiting Command spokesman Douglas Smith said. "It is a difficult recruiting environment, but we have a great benefits package for young men and women, and we are making the best use we can of the service bonus programs."

The Navy made 100 percent of its goal of 2,732 recruits, and the Air Force met its goal of 1,836.

The Air National Guard and Army National Guard easily made their November goals at 133 percent and 116 percent, respectively. The Air National Guard had an accessions goal of 551 and signed up 735 airmen.

The Army National Guard brought in 5,135 soldiers, with a goal of 4,423. Officials at the National Guard Bureau said they enlisted 264 soldiers under the Active First program in November. That program gives recruits an enlistment bonus upon joining the active-duty force and another bonus when they transfer to the Guard.

The Army Reserve also exceeded its accessions goal for November at 101 percent. The component enlisted 2,980 soldiers, with a goal of 2,954.

The Air Force Reserve made 100 percent of its enlistment quota of 558; the Navy Reserve made 100 percent of its goal of 895; and the Marine Corps Reserve made its goal of 572.