Services Meet or Exceed July Recruiting Goals

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

Aug. 10, 2007 - All active-duty components made their recruiting goals for July, Defense Department officials announced today. After missing recruiting goals for May and June, the Army made 102 percent of its goal for July.

For the reserve components, all but the Air National Guard made their goals.

The Army's goal for July was 9,750 recruits. The service enlisted 9,972, for 102 percent. The Marine Corps also exceeded its enlistment goal with 104 percent. The goal was 4,613, with 4,793 enlisting in the Corps. The Navy and Air Force made 100 percent of their goals, with 4,173 and 2,078 recruits respectively.

The Air Guard missed its July goal by 120 recruits, but officials at the National Guard Bureau said they are not worried about making the yearly goal. The Air Guard had a goal of 907 recruits and enlisted 787, for 87 percent.

The Army Reserve made 114 percent of its goal of 4,012, enlisting 4,589. The Army National Guard made 100 percent of its goal. The component needed 4,900 recruits and enlisted 4,908. The Navy Reserve made 108 percent of its goal of 1,027 sailors, enlisting 1,110. The Marine Corps Reserve also made 108 percent of its goal. The component needed 997 Marines and enlisted 1,081. The Air Force Reserve made 100 percent of its goal of 648 airmen.

Retention remains a bright spot for the services, with all services meeting or exceeding their year-to-date targets, defense officials said.

The Army is the largest service and has the largest recruiting operation.

"We're putting everything we have into the recruiting effort over the next two months to make our goals," said Douglas Smith, public affairs officer for Army Recruiting Command, based at Fort Knox, Ky.

The Army is sending recent basic training and advanced individual training graduates back to their home towns to assist recruiters and tell their stories. The service is also calling on soldiers who recently served as recruiters to work alongside current recruiters. Smith said the $20,000 bonus for individuals who enlist and ship within a month did not factor in the July numbers, as the program went into effect July 25.

Overall, the propensity to enlist of young men and women between 18 and 24 has dropped, defense officials said. Recruiters are spending more time working with the parents and "influencers" -- teachers, coaches, city and county leaders who serve as role models -- of potential recruits than in the past.