Demands Not Hurting Army, Marine Recruiting, Retention
Otis Willie
http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Jul2004/n07152004_2004071503.html.
{EXCERPT} By Kathleen T. Rhem American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, July 15, 2004 The increased demands of the war on
terrorism aren't hurting recruiting and retention for America's combat
forces, Army and Marine leaders said here today.
In the active Army, retention rates are still at or near 100 percent
of the service's goals, Army Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Richard A. Cody
said in an interview with American Forces Press Service and the
Pentagon Channel.
Likewise, the Marines expect to meet 100 percent of their
re-enlistment goals, By the end of this fiscal year, Lt. Gen. Jan C.
Huly, that service's deputy commandant for plans policies and
operations, said during a separate interview.
The Army also has increased its accessions goal by 30,000 soldiers
over the next three years, Cody said, adding that the service is on
track to meet recruiting goals for this year.
Cody acknowledged the war on terrorism has stretched the Army's
capabilities, and he said service officials are keeping a close eye on
both recruiting and retention issues.
"We're going to keep watching it," he said. "We'll provide more
benefits (and) bonuses as we can. But quite frankly, it's been the
selfless service and the patriotism of great young men and women … who
have raised their right hands and said, 'Send me.'"
Both leaders attributed the services' success in recruiting and
retention to the high quality of the all-volunteer force.
"I think what we're really experiencing is we're reaping the benefits
of the all-volunteer force," Huly said. "The quality young women and
men that we recruit, the training that they receive, … and just what
great young Americans they are."
Cody said soldiers' "warrior ethos" also helps keep the Army's ranks
full. "I think it goes back to the leadership investment we've made
with our noncommissioned officers," he said. "But it also goes back to
an all-volunteer force of young soldiers who joined the Army, many
right after 9/11, who fully understand that this country was attacked,
fully understand the dangers of this war and the dangers of this
world, and have had the courage and the patriotism to step forward and
say, 'We'll fight for America, and we'll fight for our freedom.'"
Both leaders also noted the support of ordinary Americans is important
for troops to feel like their work has meaning.
"They all need to know that Americans across this great nation
absolutely are proud of what they've done," Cody said. "The fact that
Time magazine took the American soldier and made it the Person of the
Year should tell anyone in uniform how America feels about them."
Huly said Americans' support "makes an awful lot of difference" to
troops who are deployed. He said whenever he and other Marine leaders
visit troops, the one question they get asked the most is "Does
everybody know what we're doing, and are they still supportive of our
efforts?"
"And the answer is always a favorable and resounding 'Yes,'" Huly
said. "And it makes you feel good to be able to say that and to know
that the American people are behind you."
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Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com