http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=51881
By Donna Miles
American Forces Press Service
WASHINGTON, Nov. 10, 2008 – Recruiting successes in fiscal 2008
continued into the first month of the new fiscal year, with all
active and reserve components meeting or exceeding their October
goals, defense officials reported today.
Recruiting remained solid across the board, with the Army leading the
effort by exceeding its active-duty goal by 1 percent, its Army
National Guard goal by 16 percent and its Army Reserve goal by 10
percent, officials said. The Army signed on 5,324 active-duty
soldiers in October, as well as 6,487 National Guardsmen and 3,049 reservists.
The Marine Corps topped its October active-duty recruiting goal by 4
percent and its Marine Corps Reserve goal by 51 percent, officials
reported. The Marines recruited 2,983 new active-duty members and 968
reservists.
The Navy reported a strong recruiting month as well, reaching its
goals of 2,930 active-duty sailors and 664 reservists.
The Air Force also met its October goals by signing on 3,336
active-duty airmen and 856 reservists. The Air National Guard
exceeded its monthly goal by 20 percent, with 913 recruits.
The October recruiting successes came on the heels of strong fiscal
2008 recruiting successes, with all military services and their
reserve components meeting or exceeding their goals.
David S.C. Chu, undersecretary of defense for personnel and
readiness, called 2008 the strongest recruiting year since fiscal 2004.
In addition to attracting numbers, officials emphasized, recruiters
brought in quality members. More than 92 percent of recruits hold a
high school diploma, contrasted with 75 percent of the general U.S.
population in the same age range, officials said.
Nearly 70 percent of new active-duty recruits came from the top half
of those in the United States testing highest in math and verbal
aptitude, and about three-quarters of new recruits come from
neighborhoods that are at or above the U.S. median annual household
income of about $50,000.
"[It] is a great tribute to the qualities of America's youth today,
their willingness to step forward, and their willingness to serve,"
Chu said. "The fact that we are getting some of the best and
brightest in our society is a great tribute to the spirit that young
people put into the notion of public service today."
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