Secretary Gates Recommends End Strength Increases

[Snaquebite]

Today the Secretary of Defense announced he has recommended to the President a permanent increase to the end strength of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps. His proposal is for an increase of 92,000 personnel over the next five years: 65,000 soldiers and 27,000 Marines.

http://www.defenselink.mil/Releases/...eleaseID=10388

[uboat509]

I keep wondering where they are going to get all these extra soldiers. Unless I have missed something, recruiters are not turning away large numbers of qualified applicants, certainly not 13,000 a year. Don't get me wrong, I am all for the increase but given the fact that the Army has barely made quota the last few years I am wondering what kind of incentives they are going to offer to get all these extra people in.

SFC W

[Pete]

First things first.

An end strength increase has been recommended. Lets see if congress will fund the slots before we worry about getting the warm bodies.

Pete

[incommin]

Congress should have fixed this years ago. It is congress who says how large and sets funding........ Do you really think the Dems will put a lot more $$$$$ into a larger military???????? It would mean not funding their pet projects....

Jim

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by uboat509

I keep wondering where they are going to get all these extra soldiers.

Well if they could figure out a way of preventing a catheter from being jerked loose on opening shock,have a continuous feed of motrin and vitamins in a geritol blend stashed in camel backs, and swap out of hearing aids for bluetooth technology we FOGs can throw away our depends and fill the ranks Mind you, I think we might be good for one mission and one mission only-but most of us would prefer to go out in blaze of glory rather than wither and die on the sidelines.

[Trip_Wire (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Jack Moroney

Well if they could figure out a way of preventing a catheter from being jerked loose on opening shock,have a continuous feed of motrin and vitamins in a geritol blend stashed in camel backs, and swap out of hearing aids for bluetooth technology we FOGs can throw away our depends and fill the ranks Mind you, I think we might be good for one mission and one mission only-but most of us would prefer to go out in blaze of glory rather than wither and die on the sidelines.

I'm with you COL.!

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by Trip_Wire

I'm with you COL.!

Okay, that's two of us. I've got door position and point

[Noslack71]

Make it three Col.

[futureSoldier]

Gentlemen,

I realize that I represent a small percentage but I have been trying to get INTO the Army for 3 months and am probably still atleast month away from signing. If the Army is serious about increasing in size, then it should start with the first boundry that civilians interact with, recruiters and the MEPs. I am not alone in having my materials lost, being run in circles about MOS's, and worst of all being told to lie about my past (minor medical problems and occasional drug use years ago). Apart from the obvious ethical and moral problems, it is simply poor salesmanship. The number one selling point for quality candidates is also the best thing about the Army: joining something bigger than yourself for the sake of your country. When your first interaction with the Army is filled with lies or obvious stretches of the truth, it makes you reconsider the reality of what it is that your signing up for.

Anyways, just my thoughts on the process.

Joe

[82ndtrooper]

Originally Posted by futureSoldier

Gentlemen,

I realize that I represent a small percentage but I have been trying to get INTO the Army for 3 months and am probably still atleast month away from signing. If the Army is serious about increasing in size, then it should start with the first boundry that civilians interact with, recruiters and the MEPs. I am not alone in having my materials lost, being run in circles about MOS's, and worst of all being told to lie about my past (minor medical problems and occasional drug use years ago). Apart from the obvious ethical and moral problems, it is simply poor salesmanship. The number one selling point for quality candidates is also the best thing about the Army: joining something bigger than yourself for the sake of your country. When your first interaction with the Army is filled with lies or obvious stretches of the truth, it makes you reconsider the reality of what it is that your signing up for.

Anyways, just my thoughts on the process.






Joe

By all means reconsider.

[Jack Moroney (RIP)]

Originally Posted by futureSoldier

Gentlemen,

I realize that I represent a small percentage but I have been trying to get INTO the Army for 3 months and am probably still atleast month away from signing. If the Army is serious about increasing in size, then it should start with the first boundry that civilians interact with, recruiters and the MEPs. I am not alone in having my materials lost, being run in circles about MOS's, and worst of all being told to lie about my past (minor medical problems and occasional drug use years ago). Apart from the obvious ethical and moral problems, it is simply poor salesmanship. The number one selling point for quality candidates is also the best thing about the Army: joining something bigger than yourself for the sake of your country. When your first interaction with the Army is filled with lies or obvious stretches of the truth, it makes you reconsider the reality of what it is that your signing up for.

Anyways, just my thoughts on the process.

Joe

How about sending me the the specifics of where, when and who concerning this incident and I will pass it up the line. This recruiter should be looking for other means of employment. I will need your name, his name and rank if you can remember it, when this occured and where. I am sure I can get someone's attention so that this doesn't occur again.