Lowest number of recruits in history of all-volunteer Army.
By on Nov 1st, 2007 at 10:38 am
Lowest number of recruits in history of all-volunteer Army.
“The Army began its recruiting year Oct. 1 with fewer signed up for basic training than in any year since it became an all-volunteer service in 1973,” said commander of Army Training and Doctrine Command Gen. William S. Wallace. Achieving new recruiting goals is more difficult now “because the Army has decided that it must grow its active-duty force by several thousand soldiers a year in order to relieve strain on war-weary troops.”
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We need to ratchet up the benefits of joining the Military, and market it well. Either way, we need enough gullible, but strong folks defending the country, and protecting me.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:41 amAs Rumsfeld’s “snowflakes” indicate, Sacrifice = Victory.
Clearly the American people are not interested in Victory, since no one is joining the Army.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:44 amHey, hits is actually Bill Kristol!
November 1st, 2007 at 10:44 amNo worries…Chimpy doesn’t need soldiers anyway. He’s much more comfortable with using mercenaries that are answerable to no one, paid exorbitant salaries with our tax money, and loyal to no one except who signs the paychecks (him).
I’ve saaid it before, and I’ll say it again: it looks an awful lot like Chimpy & Co. is attempting to break the Armed Forces on purpose, so he can replace them completely with his mercs. Once this happens, the possibility of getting our country back is zero.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:47 amBadmoodman,
I am not. I agree with some of his assertions, but I don’t think he’s that smart
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 10:47 amThat’s good for Blackwater contracting business.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:48 amIs this supposed to be a surprise to anyone??? Least of all our smarter, more savvy young people?? They’re not fools, that’s certain by these numbers.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:49 amBadmoodman,
I am not…..that smart
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 10:51 amTripMM: This is right on schedule for Chimpya’s Personal Militia to begin taking over. All part of the neocon scheme for this country….
November 1st, 2007 at 10:51 amThis doesn’t bode well for Bush’s plan to attack Iran. No large scale military exercise has been successful without large numbers of boots on the ground.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:51 amWhy would anyone with even a modicum of sanity sign up for our military when they can be paid ten times the money from mercenary organizations??
November 1st, 2007 at 10:51 amWhy do they have to be gullible Hits? Are you saying the cause isn’t justified?
November 1st, 2007 at 10:52 amZooey,
Anything substantial to add to the debate, other than an obvious desire to be influenced by me (which I appreciate)?
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 10:53 am“THE PLAN” (AIPAC, AEI, FEDERALISTS) is right on schedule. Perhaps the Bush Crime Cabal IS being blackmailed by the Israeli’s?? What do the zionists know? And how much was this administration involved in their false flag operations?? This Iran time frame is beginning to have the malodorous air of blackmail to me.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:53 amWith such a large pool to draw from, Blackwater can be selective. I doubt they’ll take raw recruits. They just wait for the frustrated vet gets out of the service and then hit him up for a massive pay increase and less rules.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:54 amI’ve been hearing more and more that potential enlisters are biding their time until ‘09. They are compelled to serve their country but do not want to be fodder for Chimpy’s money grabbing death trap. Can’t say that I blame them.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:54 amhellinabucket: Since when did the Bush Cabal EVER consider anything that is logical, well-analyzed, or altruistic in any way, shape or form? They cook the facts to fit their agenda regardless of whether any of it makes logical sense or is accountable in any way.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:55 amhellinabucket,
They need not be gullible. However, in my opinion, any person who knowingly puts himself/herself in harm’s way takes on an extremely high amount of risk. I would characterize such people as not being too intelligent
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 10:55 am….Not to mention the aspect of something being “fundamentally sound” judgment-wise. These are factors they either are ignorant about or intentionally disregard.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:55 am“hits” sez:
You first, Shakey.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:56 amComment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 10:53 am
My post was equal in substance to any post you’ve ever made.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:56 amRepublicans: Strong on security. Strong on National Defense.
No matter what the truth tells us, the meme perpetuates.
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, the Democratic Party is in SEVERE need of a “PR Makeover”.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:58 amTripMaster Monkey,
I have, in my opinion. You are free to disagree.
Thank you
November 1st, 2007 at 10:58 amHits
I would characterize such people as not being too intelligent
Hits
Thanks for supporting the troops.
November 1st, 2007 at 10:58 amZooey,
I am glad you have a high opinion of yourself. Further, nothing I say can budge your opinion. So, good for you.
Thanks
November 1st, 2007 at 10:59 amHits
You first, Shakey.
Comment by TripMaster Monkey — November 1, 2007 @ 10:56 am
You think?
Maybe Jake has another rape joke for us?
November 1st, 2007 at 10:59 amAnother sign that the propaganda of the gayliberalIslamofascistmedia is destroying America.
-GSD
November 1st, 2007 at 10:59 amZooey,
I do support the troops – as long as they are willing to die for me.
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:00 amOff topic but interesting: Huffpo headline: Giuliani under investigation for faulty 911 radios. Evidently the THUG gave a no-bid contract to Motorola (sounding familiar?) for faulty radios during 911. Any bet that this was intentionally done to create more chaos and destruction than was necessary?? Any bet that this was done to enable “the annointed one” to further look “the savior” by the Bush Crime Cabal?? This smacks of the military “games” ongoing on 911 along with Rudy’s “pre-positioned” (due to the games?? hah!) operations center in NYC. No doubt these radios are a puzzle piece in the ongoing awareness that 9/11 was an inside job – Israeli/US false flag.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:00 amThis William Wallace is not THE William Wallace.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:01 amZooey,
I am glad you have a high opinion of yourself.
Hits
Wow. Now I’ll feel validated all day. *eyes rolling*
At least my high opinion of myself is deserved. What’s your excuse?
November 1st, 2007 at 11:01 amBy the time Rudy G’s criminal activities ranging from abetting the sale of a dangerous drug listed as “non-addictive” (Oxy) to his connections with Bernie Kerik (his bosom buddy) and now to his activities during 911, he will be “toast” – “burnt toast”.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:01 amHits: in my opinion, any person who knowingly puts himself/herself in harm’s way takes on an extremely high amount of risk. I would characterize such people as not being too intelligent. – - Geeze, forgive me for being suckered into this slanted debate, but you may want to consider that some people have a higher degree of courage, willing sense of sacrifice for the common good, or they just like wearing uniforms. But you’re entitled to your view that everyone in the military has subpar intelligence.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:02 amNo one is going to join the military when they can get paid ten times as much to do the same job for a contractor, in a position they can QUIT if they don’t like.
This is EXACTLY what the neocons want… another justification for using Contractors, in their ultimate push to privatize the military.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:02 amHi Zooey! I see you’re up to your usual spunk this morning. Kudos, my friend!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:02 amI do support the troops – as long as they are willing to die for me.
Hits
Dismissed.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:02 amMugsy: As I said previously, THE PLAN is going along swimmingly!
November 1st, 2007 at 11:03 amZooey,
My justification is my survival. Nothing more, nothing less
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:03 amMaybe people are finally realizing that the real enemy of this country is this crime cabal which has taken over control of our democracy – and, hopefully, sooner than later.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:03 amHi Zooey! I see you’re up to your usual spunk this morning. Kudos, my friend!
Comment by Veritas — November 1, 2007 @ 11:02 am
Hi Veritas. Sorry I’ve been a bit out of touch. My schedule is killer this semester, but I can see the light at the end of the tunnel…
November 1st, 2007 at 11:04 amWe all know that hits is the schizoid piss-troll named Mr. Pee.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:04 amBadmoodman,
I agree that what you have articulated is a possibility. However, I would believe that such a scenario is usually misguided, and few and far between.
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:04 amZooey,
Irrelevant
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amIt’s always good to see you here. My schedule has been brutal of late as well and I’m just getting back to some semblance of normalcy. I see that we still have one troll who loves to twist in the wind here wasting his time with inane commentary.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amI feel a draft in here…
November 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amWe need to ratchet up the benefits of joining the Military, and market it well. Either way, we need enough gullible, but strong folks defending the country, and protecting me.
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 10:41 am
You Republicans don’t respect the military as proven by your statement. You believe soldiers join because they are gullible not because they are brave or believe in their mission. Just because you are a total coward doesn’t mean that military members are gullible. It means you’re a jerk.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amNo one wants to support illegal wars of aggression against countries to control their natural resources
November 1st, 2007 at 11:05 amVeritas,
Your comfort level in your knowledge is remarkable, but ultimately, irrelevant and pathetic
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:06 amHits,
Piss-Soaked Troll.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:06 amShayne,
Your characterization of me as a Republican is generally inaccurate.
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:06 amTime to ignore the sorry-assed and pathetic thing knows as “hits.”
November 1st, 2007 at 11:07 amClearly the American people are not interested in Victory, since no one is joining the Army.
Comment by CitiDC — November 1, 2007 @ 10:44 am
Was that supposed to be a serious comment?
November 1st, 2007 at 11:07 amZooey,
A touch less classy than usual?
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:07 amI see that new evidence surfaces that Rummy kept elevating the terror alert. Anyone here read 1984?? It’s remarkably plagiarized from George Orwell which continues to prove that there is no one in this administration with an authentic bone in their body or a creative brain cell in their cranium.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:08 amZooey,
Your comment on the need to ignore me is funnily ironical. However, you do have the right to not be influenced by my opinions
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:08 amI would characterize such people as not being too intelligent
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Nice way to support the troops. Did it every occur to you, that the reason people sign up for the military is to defend this country because they see it as the right thing to do, not so you can cower behind your keyboard, while proclaiming what a great guy W is.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:09 amThey need not be gullible. However, in my opinion, any person who knowingly puts himself/herself in harm’s way takes on an extremely high amount of risk. I would characterize such people as not being too intelligent
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 10:55 am
Way to support the troops neoscum. You’re looking at the issue through your own weak kneed, lily livered persona. Not everybody is a panty waist like you.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:09 amKrazny,
My support to the troops is limited to my tax dollars. I agree that they may believe that they are doing the right thing. However, their belief is not inconsistent with my stated position, if you will.
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:10 amShayne,
My weak kneed persona is optimized to protecting my self and ensuring my survival. Your observations are welcome, but irrelevant
Hits
November 1st, 2007 at 11:11 amI do support the troops – as long as they are willing to die for me.
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 11:00 am
shits there is nobody on the planet willing to die for the likes of you. People like you are the reason the volunteer army is collapsing. Young people see your type and say no thanks, it’s just not worth it. Nobody is so blind that they can’t see your type of lazy, egocentric, selfish blobs and realize you’re just not worth it.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:13 amWill Bush be able to start his 3rd war, without boots on the ground?
Will Israel play the attack dog & let us pick up the pieces?
Will China & Russia join to defend Iran?
A new war! Just in time for the Holidays. Come see it in person. Join the Army, visit exotic places. Meet new people. And kill them.
This message brought to you by the RNC & other closeted pigs.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:13 amDo the recruiters really think they can lie and these kids don’t write home?
Our soldiers are the bravest when they have an honest challenge but they know now they were lied to. The Iraqis got the V Humvees two years ago instead of our guys, we just started getting them a few months ago. Families had to supply safety equiptment.
The wounded were treated good at first then shuffled off to the privatized VA another Bush plan.
It would be great to know how many who voted for Bush have supported by going or sending their family members to fight in their war.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:16 amThey need not be gullible. However, in my opinion, any person who knowingly puts himself/herself in harm’s way takes on an extremely high amount of risk. I would characterize such people as not being too intelligent
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 10:55 am
and your support is limited to your tax dollars. I notice that patriotism never entered your answer. It’s money. By your reasoning, raising taxes would increase your support. Or would that have an inverse effect? Since you don’t comprehend the call of duty or patriotism I’d like to read your answer on the economic value of a soldier’s life.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:16 am50. Time to ignore the sorry-assed and pathetic thing knows as “hits.â€
Comment by Zooey — November 1, 2007 @ 11:07 am
that time came with the first poo-slinging at #1…
November 1st, 2007 at 11:17 am…
Shayne,
Ironically, in my opinion, every single person who dies in Iraq dies protecting me
Thank you
November 1st, 2007 at 11:17 amHits
hits wants the youth of this country to die in an unjustified war started by a fear mongering dictator who took his eyes off the real threat to foment American hatred in a nation that posed NO threat to our country so that Dick Cheney and private contractors can get richer and “hits” can feel a little safer while cowering in his basement typing his fear-filled drivel on Progressive blogs. Now he wants more “gullible” kids to sign up for the next unjustified war with yet another sovereign nation because his Dear Leader tells him he should be scared of an unimportant and powerless president(Ahmadinejad) despite the international energy’s head inspector’s claims that there is NO TANGIBLE EVIDENCE of illegal nuclear activities in Iran. The same assertions made (correctly, by the way) by the inspectors before Bush pulled our troops out of Aphganistan to callously invade Iraq. I’ve suggested it in previous threads and I’ll say it again:
Hits, if you are SO scared for your safety why don’t you just leave this country with your yellow tail between your cowering legs?
“We know that dictators are quick to choose aggression, while free nations strive to resolve differences in peace. We know that oppressive governments support terror, while free governments fight the terrorists in their midst. We know that free peoples embrace progress and life, instead of becoming the recruits for murderous ideologies.”
This is from a speech to the UN General Assembly by George Bush.
He must have forgotten his own words. He has been quick to choose aggression, forgoing any attempts at true diplomacy. He has used unjustified fear tactics to push every policy to the American people. Has never supported a progressive ideology or the sanctity of life (our uninsured middle class children, our soldiers or the collateral deaths of innocent Iraqis at the hands of his mercenary army) and is now in a conundrum about a lack of recruits for HIS murderous ideologies.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:17 amYour characterization of me as a Republican is generally inaccurate.
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 11:06 am
Oh that’s right you’re an “independent” right? Just like enlistees aren’t gullible enough to put themselves in harms way for you selfish bastards, we’re not gullible enough to believe you’re not a neocon fascist hardcore Republican.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:18 amdid shits just type “funnily ironical”??
November 1st, 2007 at 11:19 amAn adverb describing an adjective?
Bush has really put himself in a corner. If he pushes for attacking Iran the military will be calling for an increase in the enlisted ranks and a massive increase in spending. While the spending increase will please the military industrial complex, the need for troops will need to be filled with either a draft or a dramatic increase in the bonuses given to new soldiers.
Where will Bush get this money to support his new adventure? How will those fiscally responsible republicans swallow this?
A draft would be met with a unified staunch resistance from the American People. It would bring the conflicts into the homes of all and that would put an end to the reign of Bush the Divider.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:21 amIronically, in my opinion, every single person who dies in Iraq dies protecting me
Thank you
SHits4Brains
Comment by shits4brains — November 1, 2007 @ 11:17 am
Okay, this one’s not here for serious discussion and/or debate. This one has the Daryll syndrome. Typing hypocritical posts just to see a reaction (which I assume then leads to some sort of weird self pleasure)
November 1st, 2007 at 11:22 amI agree. Time to ignore.
My weak kneed persona is optimized to protecting my self and ensuring my survival. Your observations are welcome, but irrelevant
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 11:11 am
Your delusion is that you believe your survival is important. Human beings with a moral compass worry about others and aren’t totally self absorbed by their personal well being. Especially old farts like you Jake. Many elderly people want the world to be a better place for the young people in their family. But I guess somebody as selfish as you doesn’t consider anybody real family.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:22 am“Sacrifice for the COMMON good”. That’s the key phrase. WWII had no shortage of enlistees because EVERYONE pretty much saw it as a noble effort. A number of Hollywood types joined when they didn’t have to to contribute. Now, there are too many “cheerleaders” staying on the sidelines. I don’t think the recuuitment would have falleen so if it seemed that this was a price EVERYONE was being asked to pay (but, then, if EVERYONE has been asked to pay the price needed for this war at the beginning, I don”t think we would be in this war in the first place.)
November 1st, 2007 at 11:23 amIronically, in my opinion, every single person who dies in Iraq dies protecting me
Thank you
Hits
Comment by hits — November 1, 2007 @ 11:17 am
And you are such a sociopath your conscience doesn’t bother you at all. In fact, you brag about you lack of compassion. No wonder you’re such a big supporter of Bush.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:24 amdid shits just type “funnily ironical�?
An adverb describing an adjective?
Comment by DRxJ — November 1, 2007 @ 11:19 am
Oh if only that was the dumbest thing shits typed.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:26 amBush made many mistakes in his current adventures and is repeating them in his hopeful attack of Iran. You don’t just go to war against another country, you bring your country with you. It’s a unified sacrifice with a common goal. Neither has been accomplished by Bush. He asks the American people to go shopping and has this unseen boogey man in “Terror” as the target.
The American people see through this. It’s time to put a stake in the heart of the Neocons. I know, they don’t have hearts. It was metaphorical.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:29 amComment by hellinabucket — November 1, 2007 @ 11:21 am
#
Good point, but that is still only half the problem. We can’t attack Iran with a pool of new recruits. We need officers and senior NCO’s to lead them, mentor, and provide the type of guidance that only comes from experience. So we have to increase enlistment bonuses as you said, but also work on ways of retaining soldiers. The stop loss only helps in these efforts so much, but it is tremendously detrimental to morale. Also, many soldiers that re-enlist do so to get out of combat arms MOS’s and into more rear echelon positions. So, as you said, there is a tremendous problem with attacking Iran, because we can’t get enough new recruits, but also because we can’t keep the soldiers we have.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:31 amHits is nothing more than an antagonist. He holds no solid moral ground here. He tries to push buttons. What’s great about this is all the reasoned responses that show me there are many who are standing up against this administration.
If the Republicans don’t take note soon they will be doomed to the minority party for years to come. Or maybe swept off the map all together.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:32 amIf the Republicans don’t take note soon they will be doomed to the minority party for years to come. Or maybe swept off the map all together.
Comment by hellinabucket — November 1, 2007 @ 11:32 am
#
My personal hope is that this republican self-destruction will lead to some third and fourth parties getting on the ballot.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:33 amIf the government were to stop hiring private mercenaries many of those career soldier types would probably go back to the regular military to reinlist. Why stay in the military when you can do the same work for so much more money.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:36 amComment by Chris L — November 1, 2007 @ 11:31 am
You are so right Chris L. There is giant sucking sound coming from the military and it’s coming from the mass exodus of the junior and middle level officers and NCO’s.
We need a leader. Not a failed CEO like Bush.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:40 amHas that chump that made an ass of himself in front of Cindy Sheehan enlisted yet?
November 1st, 2007 at 11:41 amhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9prW8m5SOOw
I’ll get the hang of links one day
November 1st, 2007 at 11:42 am#73 – writers like “Hits” is just a typical lazy, superficial, selfish human taking up air contributing nothing. “Hits” would be way too lazy to even support a belief. Hits is a pathetic zero. The only attention he/she gets is here, writting absurd thoughts.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:47 amhits-so just when are you enlisting? You are certainly gullible enough.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:51 amBefore you respond to a post by “hits” reread them all and ask yourself why you would bother. Not only is it unnecessary because you can’t win an argument with someone who doesn’t bother to consider your responses, but your posts become a part of the drivel that is hits. The noise makes discussion irrelevant, which is the goal of the trolls all along. They don’t want to win a debate, they want to sidetrack it. So just be aware that when every 2nd post revolves around hits you’re handing him the attention he wants. He wins. It becomes a waste of time to bother reading the comments section of TP.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:54 amThanks for the link nigel, what a hoot.
November 1st, 2007 at 11:58 amnigel- good link. that clown is a typical chickenhawk. He supports the war, but comes up with the most lame-ass excuses on why he won’t sign up.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:05 pmWow, recruiting is down?! There’s a shocker. Who doesn’t want to fight in an illegal war? Who doesn’t want to join up and NOT get enough equipment to protect themselves? Who wouldn’t like to spend their recovery in Walter Reed? Besides why join, when you can get better gear and more money at Blackwater. It’s cost plus. What a scam.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:08 pmshits-none of our troops are willing to die for the likes of you, but they would certainly be willing to frag you.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:09 pmIRAQ IS ARABIC FOR VIETNAM
“How can you ask a man to be the last man to die in Vietnam? How can you ask a man to die for a mistake?”- John Kerry, 1971
November 1st, 2007 at 12:11 pmC’mon already. Outsource this whole war thing to China or India.
They’re already got everyone’s credit card #’s, mothers maiden names, etc anyway.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:13 pmTCDon doesn’t read well.
Gen. William S. Wallace, whose duties as commander of Army Training and Doctrine Command include management of recruiting, told reporters at the Pentagon that the historic dip will make it harder to achieve the full-year recruiting goal—after just barely reaching it in the year ended Sept. 30.
That’s from the link of this thread.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:13 pmA “Fiscal Year†runs from October through December.
All of the active duty branches met or exceeded their recruiting goals for the fiscal year.
Comment by TCDon — November 1, 2007 @ 12:05 pm
A fiscal year runs 14 months? Good one TCDonkey. And you claim to be an attorney.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pmDid you mention TC that standards for enlistment have gone down and age requirements have gone up ?
And since you are such a knowledgeable source how many recruiters go on college campuses to recruit?
We shut down the recruiters that had offices and hung out in the cafeteria every day in our highschool. “Just being friendly”.
How many 17-18 year olds seeking college money can see past a shiny uniform assuring they don’t have to go to Iraq. How many know that signing that document signs away ALL power?
Why was a data bank of all kids from 13 on up powering up just last year? Just trying it out we were told, for what ?
How do you sleep at night supporting an administration that promotes death to our young?
November 1st, 2007 at 12:16 pmThere are the real numbers. Disappointed?
Comment by TCDon — November 1, 2007 @ 12:15
Maybe if you could shut your yap for a minute you could read the link. But you know more about growing the troops than General Wallace, of course.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:18 pmSure TCDon it was a typo, not a mistake made because you don’t know what you’re talking about. Attorney, my ass.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:20 pmtexaslady, if your looking for a way to convince young people not to join the military cut and paste hits comments and show the young people you meet what the Republican war mongers really feel about them. I know I’m going to.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:21 pmThere are the real numbers. Disappointed?
Comment by TCDon
In you perhaps, for not noting that these numbers have been revised downward. Compare them with enlistment rates of the Clinton administration for a more accurate view.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:29 pmAlthough I couldn’t agree more that the almost certainty of being sent to be cannon fodder would obviously dampen the enlistment numbers, I would also propose some other factors:
The high unemployment and poor economy should have increased enlistment.
More strongly, enlistment numbers are also influenced by ones pride in their country and perceived ability to make a difference for good by enlisting. That has plummeted.
And to get in my “Clinton did it first !” comment – note that enlistment was higher under Clinton than the Chimp.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:29 pm“This doesn’t bode well for Bush’s plan to attack Iran. No large scale military exercise has been successful without large numbers of boots on the ground.”
As ill-advised as the idea of attacking Iran may be, an attack will not be a ground invasion but will consist of bombs and cruise missiles courtesy of our Air Force and Naval forces in the region.
That being said, anyone who thinks that we can bomb Teheran and not expect a blowback of some sort on the ground in Iraq is the kind of fool who thought that the war in Iraq was going to pay for itself and that Iraqis would be naming their children after George Bush.
hmmm…. that would include George Bush, Dick Cheney, and William Kristol, for starters.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:29 pmOf course, the military has met its goals by allowing lower education standards and allowing more criminal offense backgrounds into the military.
As our military in Iraq is, as stated by the Chimperor himself, having to deal with complex ethical problems – these are exactly the people that will cause improvements ????
November 1st, 2007 at 12:32 pmTCDon sez:
A typo??? Seriously?
You want us to believe that you meant to type “September”, but somehow your fingers slipped and typed “December” instead?
You’re a recursive parody, TCDon.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:33 pmI guess TCDon doesn’t have a comeback, after being punked so badly.
Predictable.
Did Clinton have to lower standards for enlistment during Kosovo?
November 1st, 2007 at 12:34 pmShayne – After my 16 year old told me about the daily hanging out, I found other moms on the Internet who also were angry. We tried the Principal got nowhere took it to the school board with the printed version of No Child Left Behind, which states recruiters to have equal time as other career opportunities. Equal time is not daily.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:34 pmIt was very empowering to get these death mongers off our campus.
it’s official: no one wants to be part of the army when there’s an idiot in the white house.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:36 pmIf the military has met of exceeded its goals, why are we losing all three wars? is it because the keyboard patriots like TCDon refuse to support their Deserter-In-Chief with anything but lip service? Or is it because the Chimp has fired all of the competent general officers so that his suckups can continue to put Americans in harm’s way for oil profits?
November 1st, 2007 at 12:42 pmComment by bluestatedon — November 1, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
The complexities that would occur by an attack on Iran are mind boggling. Any attack would most likely result in ground troops from Iran attacking inside Iraq. Which would result in more air attacks into Iran. The Shiite population in both countries will take action and increase hit and run attacks as well as suicide bombings.
Any response from the USA will have to be replenished by increased troop levels in both Iraq and Afghanistan (there will most certainly be attacks from Iran here as well).
This administration does not look down the road at all. This will result in costing us untold amounts of blood and treasure. And for what?
Dodd and Biden touched on this in the last debate. Pakistan is much more of a threat than Iran but this president is silent on that.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:48 pmkeyboard patriot. That’s a good one.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:48 pmWonder if the diplomats being sent to Iraq can carry a rifle? The soldiers over there are saying the newest to arrive have had very little training, so what the hey, put a gun in their hand, show them how to duck walk and there you go.
November 1st, 2007 at 12:49 pmGood job texaslady. Interesting they want parents notified before they give a girl in high school birth control pills or condoms. But they don’t think you should be notified when your kids are being recruited at the same age to be sent off to a war where they can be maimed or killed.
November 1st, 2007 at 1:25 pmHits: In a nutshell
Nobody else is important but MEEEEE!. The whole world exists to service MEEEEE!. They can die for MEEEEE!. Besides, they are beneath me and not worthy of my notice. *nose held firmly in the air*
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Is this guy for real, or is he a parody troll? Geez, dude…we know the neocons are selfish bastards already, you didn’t need to prove it.
Unfortunately, I can’t flag him for the majority of his posts, and the few that I could flag him for I’d have to flag Zooey as well (Personal Attacks).
If you’re the real deal and you’re getting some kind of whacked out pleasure showing us that we are indeed right and neoconservatism is founded on the principles of selfishness, then we knew that already. *hangs out Don’t Feed the Trolls sign*
November 1st, 2007 at 1:48 pmDid Clinton have to lower the standards for enlistment during Kosovo?-comment by barfly
Nope!
November 1st, 2007 at 2:10 pmYou have got to be using sarcasm, right? Not only have you just insulted everyone who has fought for this country and believed that they could be part of an ideal bigger and more important than themselves.
You don’t think anything is worth fighting (and dying) for, and our military is full of just really stupid people?
Classic!
November 1st, 2007 at 2:47 pm“THE PLAN†(AIPAC, AEI, FEDERALISTS) is right on schedule. Perhaps the Bush Crime Cabal IS being blackmailed by the Israeli’s?? What do the zionists know? And how much was this administration involved in their false flag operations?? This Iran time frame is beginning to have the malodorous air of blackmail to me.
Comment by Veritas — November 1, 2007 @ 10:53 am
JFC! That did not take long. Don’t blame the stupidity and ognorance of the people of the USA–blame Israel. Effing Ziophobes just don’t get it. Meanwhile your Saudi masters are untouchable. Spare us the bullshit.
November 1st, 2007 at 4:49 pm#117 I think Hits just tries to get everybody riled up no one would purposely make such stupid remarks. But then again you can’t fix stupid.
November 1st, 2007 at 6:14 pm