Military bulks up in down economy

By Dave Moniz
USA Today

WASHINGTON — The sluggish economy and the allure of fighting terrorism have resulted in a recruiting boom for the military.

That's a turnaround from the 1990s that will help the military fight the war on terrorism and transform itself into a high-tech fighting force, officials said.

"This is a real opportunity to build a quality force for the future," said Jim Martin, a retired Army colonel who teaches military culture at Bryn Mawr College.

All four branches of the armed forces expect to easily meet their yearly recruiting quotas by Sept. 30, the end of the military's 2002 fiscal year. The Air Force and Army have already hit their targets and are stockpiling recruits for 2003.

Compare that to the late 1990s, when a roaring economy and declining interest in military service left thousands of slots unfilled. The four branches hit their recruiting targets in 2000 and 2001, but not as quickly as they did this year. Experts cite as factors:

• A decline in private hiring.
• Patriotism since Sept. 11.
• Better recruiting techniques, including extensive online efforts.

Maj. Gen. Michael Rochelle, who heads the Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky., cited the slow economy and surging patriotism as reasons for the recruiting boom.

Three years ago, a 30-year-low unemployment rate of 4 percent meant fewer potential recruits. Today, unemployment is 50 percent higher at 5.9 percent.

"All the services have had a good year, and I think there's no doubt there's been some spillover from Sept. 11," Rochelle said.

The Air Force hit its recruiting target of 37,283 in May, the earliest it has done so since 1986.

The Army will announce this week it has met its 2002 goal of 79,500 new soldiers. Three years ago, the Army missed its target of 74,500 by more than 6,000.

The Navy reduced its 2002 recruitment goal by 7,000 to 46,500 because of heavier than usual re-enlistment of current personnel. The Marines say they expect to meet their goal of 38,642.

When the Army began recruiting civilian candidates for its elite Green Berets this year, it hoped to find 400 applicants by the end of September. It met the goal by May.

Vice Adm. Norbert Ryan, chief of Navy personnel, sees a difference in the recruits. They have, he says, "a real sense of purpose" that was missing before Sept. 11.