The Army Missed it's February Recruiting Goal by nerly 30%

[Modem Butterfly]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/usatoday/20050303/pl_usatoday/armymissesrecruitinggoal

WASHINGTON - In what could be a troubling sign for the military, the active-duty Army missed its February recruiting goal by more than 27%. It was the first time in almost five years that the Army has failed to meet a monthly target.

The Army signed up 5,114 recruits in February, 1,936 fewer than its goal of 7,050. The last time the Army missed a monthly target was in May 2000.

The February shortfall is especially worrisome because it comes as the Army is trying to lure recruits with the largest enlistment bonuses it has ever offered: up to $20,000 to some recruits willing to sign on for four years. The Pentagon (news - web sites) has also been adding thousands of recruiters for the Army and other branches.

Who wants to die?

[Eagle_Eye]

1. Check the door, I think I feel a draft. n/t

[LibDemAlways]

2. Interesting how everyone is

eager to "support the troops," but few are interested in joining them.
Talk is cheap, isn't it?

[BOSSHOG]

3. I do not understand this situtation

Our country is loaded with patriotic, ass kicking, flag waving good christian conservative Americans. There country needs them. There must be some mistake. Maybe they aren't aware that they have to go a recruiting office and sign up. If you see one of your fellow Americans who happens to be a patriotic bush supporter offer to drive him down to the nearest Army Recruiting Office. He probably just doesn't know where it is, spending all his time pounding his chest and hating liberals. I carry recruiting business cards with me and I have a blank enlistment contract in my glove compartment. Outstanding way to either start or end a conversation.

[aden_nak]

4. Business cards? Outstanding!

I need to get me some of those!

[lebkuchen]

5. The increase in recruitment officers will certainly be felt in red states

to clarify for those who have difficulty reading fine print, where to place one's John Hancock.

[MountainLaurel]

12. Well, you know

Most of those flag-waving, yellow-ribbon-wearing patriots are driving SUVs and living in their nice McMansions -- actually joining the military is what POOR and DARK-SKINNED people do, it's not for them.

[David__77]

6. As the occupation grinds on, this will become more acute.

While many are "lifers," many will leave the military, troubled by their long-term stays in Iraq. There is not enough social base to maintain the grandiose imperial ambitions.

[Canuckistanian]

8. They need more mothers like Dr. Laura

Who are more than happy to send their kids to the meat grinder in Iraq.

[Worst Username Ever]

7. Drafty in here.

[Earth_First]

9. You can always carry a few of these with you:

http://www.dior.whs.mil/forms/DD0004.pdf

Start handing them out around campus, the office, windshields with "W" stickers on them.

[InternalDialogue]

10. Do the Chimp math

How could anyone expect to meet a monthly recruiting goal in a month that's got fewer days in it? Federal edict: from now on, February will be 3 days (that's 30% to you young ones) longer.

[GiovanniC]

13. 3 is 30% of 28 (or 31)? That IS Chimp Math!

It's all becoming clear now.

[InternalDialogue]

15. NDLB

No Decimal Left Behind program, coming soon to schools everywhere.

[MountainLaurel]

11. What a pity!

NOT!

Guess they'll have to work harder to find more cannonfodder -- American kids are wising up after seeing their older brothers and sisters, their friends' cousins, and their neighbors come home in body bags, missing a couple limbs, or completely disturbed.

:nopity:

[DistressedAmerican]

14. Got To Get More Kids!

Hence the new National Guard Recruiting video game, Guard Force.

Lifted their advert to make this:

[Walt Starr]

16. Close the window

There's a draft in here.