Military Recruiting, Retention Remain Strong

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, July 25, 2011 – A bumper crop of new high school graduates who joined the military in June helped the Defense Department continue its strong recruiting and retention streak.

All four services met or exceeded their fiscal-year-to-date goals for active-duty accessions through June 30, along with five of the six reserve components, officials announced today.

Fiscal 2011 began Oct. 1 and ends Sept. 30.

The Army signed on 49,873 new soldiers, topping its 49,000 goal by 2 percent. The Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps all reached their goals, with 24,550 sailors, 21,025 airmen and 18,926 Marines joining the force through June in the current fiscal year.

Solid recruiting continued through the reserve components. The Army Reserve achieved 110 percent of its goal for the first nine months of fiscal 2011, with 22,892 accessions. The Marine Corps Reserve brought on 7,753 new Marines, 107 percent of its goal. The Navy Reserve, Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard all met their goals, recruiting 6,257, 6,899 and 5,179 members, respectively.

While recruiting the most new members of the reserve components – 38,350 this fiscal year through June -- the Army National Guard fell 2 percent below its goal of 39,108.