Active-Duty, Reserve Components' Recruiting, Retention Numbers Strong

By Samantha L. Quigley
American Forces Press Service

May 11, 2009 - All 10 active-duty and reserve military components met or exceeded their recruiting goals in April, Defense Department officials announced today. For the second consecutive month, the Marine Corps added the highest percentage of active-duty members. The Corps' goal was to add 1,018 new Marines. It exceeded that number by 43 percent, adding 1,666 new Marines.

The Army National Guard led the reserve components when it exceeded its recruiting goal of 4,029 new Guardsmen by 11 percent, adding 4,474 soldiers.

"The economic downturn, rising unemployment, and the scarcity of civilian jobs has made military recruiting less challenging than it has been over the last several years," said Curtis Gilroy, director of Accession Policy.

"More young people are considering the military today," he said. "But the services still need about 180,000 young men and women each year for the active duty force and another 140,000 to fill the ranks of the Reserve components -- regardless of the state of the economy or what the unemployment rate is, and our recruiters continue to do a magnificent job."

Here is the breakdown of the other components:

-- Active-duty Army: 3,995 accessions with a goal of 3,900, for 102 percent;

-- Active-duty Navy: 2,719 accessions with a goal of 2,719, for 100 percent;

-- Active-duty Air Force: 2,162 accessions with a goal of 2,157, for 100 percent;

-- Army Reserve: 3,425 accessions with a goal of 3,333, for 103 percent;

-- Navy Reserve: 611 accessions with a goal of 611, for 100 percent;

-- Marine Corps Reserve: 422 accessions with a goal of 422, for 100 percent;

-- Air National Guard: 870 accessions with a goal of 860, for 101 percent; and

-- Air Force Reserve: 786 accessions with a goal of 783, for 100 percent.