The ranks of the "all-volunteer" army and guard are doing pretty well, thank you in terms of recruiting today. But could this be a sign of what's to come? After all, as folks start to wonder about the reasons for real war in Iraq, and it's mounting and unexplainable casualty counts and the 1600 Crews metaphorical War on Terra™ without real sacrifice (other than the occaisional son or daughter thrown in to the Maw of the Metaphor), we're all just doing ok. Okay?
Brian Moody signs up more soldiers for the Army National Guard than just about any other recruiter in Indiana. Across kitchen tables around the state, he has usually had an easy time convincing young people and their families that the military offers them what they want.
Until he met Jeff Fayette's mom.
"I came out of that house, and the dad had not said anything, and the mom said: `The people at work tell me you're trained to lie to me. My son is not fighting for anybody in Iraq. He's going to stay right here and he's going to be my baby,' " Moody said. "That's the kind of feeling we're up against now. I tell you, it's real easy to get depressed.
...
" `Aren't there enough older people, grown men, to send over to Iraq? You have to go after 17-year-olds?' " Couch recalled asking Moody. "We are a very patriotic family. But I'm not going to sign what I felt like might be my son's death warrant."
...
Military officials acknowledge that the retention numbers are somewhat deceiving. Straining to ensure it has enough troops to handle its commitments in Iraq and elsewhere, the Pentagon issued orders this year preventing tens of thousands of soldiers who are serving in Iraq, or have served there recently, from leaving military service until further notice. Now, the part-time soldiers are being asked to do more. This month the Army announced that about 20,000 reservists and National Guard troops stationed in Iraq would have to serve a full year from the time they arrived, extending their tours in some cases for as long as 11 months.
Well deceiving is a good word. It's not as hard a game to play for recruiting commanders who are dedicated to keeping their own numbers up if they need to. This is the last weekend in September, the Fiscal Year ends 30 Sept and the new one begins 1 Oct. Unless things have changed greatly (which I doubt), watch for an inordinate number of 'homeless' men and women to be take to the local MEPS (Miilitary Entrance Processing Stations) in areas that need numbers. If they are in the door by midnight on the 30th and have begun testing (physical and intellectual) and can make it through the next day or so, they'll be counted as "applicants" who did not accede, and are let back out (transported) to their "homes" (the streets). But they helped make "goal". In return, they most likely got a night (or two) in a fleabag hotel, a few meals courtesy of our uncle and a warm (or air-conditioned) dry place to spend the day. Sometimes, a few even survive the process, have a rational enough discourse with a recruiter and actually become an enlistee. In a few months we'll see how the real numbers shake out, as they (especially the Army) sort of 'fesses up to this (charade) by looking at setting new goals for next year...
Note: re-edited for knuckleheaded writing. haste makes waste
posted by Jo Fish on 09.28.03 at 05:05 PM
Comments:
I agree this is likely. The mother in the story I'm sure is like any other mother all across the country.
One of the things that have made military service a good deal until recently was an understanding that our command structure would only use force as a last resort.
Now that that's out the window ... watch the all-volunteer force start to dwindle.
posted by: Evan Allen on 09.28.03 at 06:29 PM [permalink]
Oh, no doubt ShrubCo will figure out a way to outsource this military recruiting stuff to the "more efficient" private sector.
You think having your long-distance service "slammed" was bad? Just wait!
"Hi Mr. Fish. We're so glad you decided to enlist in Operation Iraqi Liberation! Please
report for duty at 9AM tomorrow!"
posted by: Satan luvvs Repugs on 09.29.03 at 01:49 PM [permalink]
