WASHINGTON — The Marine Corps far surpassed its recruiting goal last month and could eventually be more than a year ahead of schedule in its plan to grow the force to 202,000 members.

All military services met or exceeded their monthly recruiting goals in April, with the Marine Corps signing 142 percent of the number it was looking for, the Pentagon said.

The Army signed 101 percent of its goal, recruiting 5,681 against a goal of 5,650. The Navy and Air Force met their goals — 2,905 sailors and 2,435 airmen.

The Marine Corps enlisted 2,233 recruits against a goal of 1,577.

“The Marine Corps, if they continue to achieve the kind of success they have had, could meet their growth figures more than a year early,” Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman told Pentagon reporters. That would mean by around the end of 2009.

Stretched thin by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Pentagon last year recommended that the Army be increased by about 65,000 soldiers to a total of 547,000, and the Marines be increased by 27,000 to 202,000.

Recruiting is easier in a slow economy, which limits other job possibilities that are available. But officials also noted that the Army and Marines have added recruiters as well as bonuses and other special benefits to attract more recruits in the midst of the unpopular war in Iraq.

Full Story Here:
Marine Corps Meets 142 Percent of Recruiting Goal in April

Congratulations to ALL branches on meeting and/or exceeding their recruiting goals, outstanding job guys!!

But did you notice that last paragraph in the original story??

Even though this story was taken from FOX News, it is an AP original and AP just can’t help themselves, they have to take a slightly left-handed swipe at the services, “Recruiting is easier in a slow economy, which limits other job possibilities that are available.” and while that remark is true, it’s not a great thing to say in my opinion, it makes it sound as if the military is the only type work that some folks could find…

Maybe it is, maybe it isn’t, military pay is NOT what it once was, I know troops that are mid-level NCOs and those guys are making a damned respectable wage now, and if you happen to be a recruiter, and if you’re any good at it, you can run into a 6 figure income with a bit of work, so, to the AP, don’t make going into the military sound like a move of desperation, I am certain that there are troops, not high ranking officers, I mean troops, grunts if you will, that are making a damn sight more money than some of your writers and reporters are…

A young person could do a lot worse in life, the military is a great place to start, I don’t care what anyone says, even if you don’t make a career of it, the military will instill a sense of pride and respect in you that can serve your career well in other than military life too…

Many of us have long felt that mandatory military service should be the rule for ALL able bodied young men and women, and I honestly believe that it may go a long ways towards making America a better place for us all…

Trackback URL:
http://texasfred.net/archives/1178/trackback/

WASHINGTON (AP) - Increasing numbers of U.S. troops have left the military with damaged bodies and minds, an ever-larger pool of disabled veterans that will cost the nation billions for decades to come - even as the total population of America’s vets shrinks.

Despite the decline in total vets - as soldiers from World War II and Korea die - the government expects to be spending $59 billion a year to compensate injured warriors in 25 years, up from today’s $29 billion, according to internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. And the Veterans Affairs Department concedes the bill could be much higher.

Why?

Worse wounds. More disabilities. More vets aware of the benefits and quicker to file for them.

Also, ironically, advanced medical care. Troops come home with devastating injuries that might well have killed them in earlier wars.

Time is also a factor when it comes to disability compensation costs. Payments tend to go up as veterans age, and an increasing number of soldiers from the Vietnam War will be getting bigger payments as they get older and are less able to work around their disabilities.

Full Story Here:
Number of disabled veterans rising

I am going to say this again and again and again, and to any that don’t like it, don’t believe it or can’t support it, click the ‘X’ at the top right of your screen and LEAVE!!

Our Veterans, and their care comes 1st!!

These wonderful guys and gals have given this nation everything they have to give physically, many have given their lives, the ultimate sacrifice, and that’s the way it goes for folks in the military and I fully understand that, but the ones that DO survive must be cared for in the most top shelf fashion imaginable…

Our government continues to spend BILLIONS of our tax dollars to rebuild a war torn nation that is still engaged in a civil war, although there is nothing civil about that or any other war…

Why spend our money rebuilding Iraq, our money, when it could be much better spent taking care of the troops that come back home with life changing injuries and disabilities??

America 1st, and American SOLDIERS 1st, if that idea is beyond your realm of comprehension then you are reading the wrong blog, this isn’t about politics, it’s not about right, left, Dem, Repub or any of that, it’s all about doing the best job for our injured Vets no matter what it costs, and if it means we have to cut back on the rehabilitation of an OIL RICH nation like Iraq, then so be it!!

Trackback URL:
http://texasfred.net/archives/1170/trackback/