Tag Archives: Army Reserve

Volunteering to fight

Posted on August 23, 2007 | Comments Off on Volunteering to fight

I can’t find a link for it, but the September issue of AUSA News (The Association of the United States Army) has an article about the service’s May and June shortfalls in recruiting, something they will certainly will make up for July, August and September from new high school and college graduates. The news therein that I wanted to mention was the cheery note that more than 900,000 Americans have volunteered to serve in the Army since 9/11, and more than 700,000 soldiers have re-enlisted. Retention, indeed, remains high despite the pressure of multiple deployments: 101 percent of the goal for the active Army, 119 percent for the Army Reserve, and 107 percent for the Army National Guard.

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Posted in Afghanistan, Iraq, The War, Troops

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A recruit’s tale

Posted on September 11, 2006 | Comments Off on A recruit’s tale

David French is a First Lieutenant in the United States Army Reserve

"On the fifth anniversary of 9/11, I am spending my spare time completing the second (written) phase of my officer basic course as rumors circulate that my unit may be mobilized next fall. I don’t know what the future holds, but I do know two things. First, there is no feeling in the world that compares to the first time you salute the flag when wearing the uniform of your country."

The feeling was different in 1967, but similar. I was a draftee in a debatable cause. I can understand French’s courage, but only envy the clarity of his choice.

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Posted in Troops

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