Strained Army National Guard having tough time recruiting

[UpInArms]

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=676&e=18&u=/usatoday/strainedarmynationalguardhavingtoughtimerecruiting

The nation's largest part-time military force is suffering personnel strains from extended call-ups of troops.

Pentagon (news - web sites) and National Guard figures show that the 350,000-member Army National Guard is having increasing difficulty recruiting soldiers. It also continues to lag behind the other services in the quality of enlistees as measured by military aptitude tests.

Signs of trouble:

• The Army Guard's total number of soldiers - "end strength" in military terminology - is 343,846, more than 6,000 below its target of 350,000. End strength has been declining since January. Guard officials say they can recover by Sept. 30, the end of the fiscal year.

• The Army Guard is having trouble recruiting new soldiers. At the end of May, the most recent figures available, it was more than 5,400 recruits short. That's about 14% below its goal of 37,486 recruits by May 31.

...more...

[Zorra]

1. Bu$h is destroying our defense capabilities.

By putting our troops in harms way in Iraq, Bu$h has severely undermined the confidence that young people have in the armed forces. Because this war was based on a lie, and everyone knows it, very few people are going to join the military to fight in phony wars.

People that join the military usually sign up to defend the country. But Bu$h has singlehandedly changed the perception of what the military is used for. Very few people are going to want to join the military in order to invade sovereign nations that are not a threat to the US.

I don't blame them.

[tabasco]

2. As an Army vet, I completely agree.

This will be a long-term problem for the military. Bush has done more damage than most people realize.

[Don_G]

3. He's Destroying More Than Defense

A large part of the population that serve in the Guard has the skills he needs: police and paramedics to name just 2 fields.

One small town in Kentucky has lost half the Police and the local Emergency Medical Services are hurting badly.

I wonder if they're going to be in any kind of shape to work after they return to civilian duties.

[Hobarticus]

4. VERY important point!

Weren't there some figures not too long ago, about the record number of returning troops that required counseling and treat for post-tramautic stress disorder?

So how many of these 'first responders' will be unable to resume their duties on the frontlines of the war on terra?

Couple that with Bush cutting VA bennies, and it's not a pretty picture at all for these men and women. Matter of fact, it pisses me off.

Anyone can support the troops halfway around the world by playing a Toby Keith CD. It's coughing up the cash for when they get home that counts!

[Nay]

5. Well, no shit!

Why would anyone want to be shipped off to be killed or maimed in Iraq?? Especially since the Guard is SUPPOSED to be used to help at home, not fight sleazy wars in other countries.

[tlcandie]

6. It would seem they want to destroy them, so the privatized companies'

mercs can then take over our security which would allow him to have more control due to the fact that most are in his back pocket?

:shrug:

[aint_no_life_nowhere]

7. I've noticed more radio commercials for the Guard lately

on the rock stations here in Southern California in a recruiting effort.