There are those who will say that all is rosy, simply because the retention is just fine. This, they say, reflects high morale and commitment to Bush, Cheney and Rummy. However:

Nov. 10 - Rhinelander - "It seems the army is looking for a few good men and women. New reports show the Army is not meeting its recruiting goals once again.

"Lower recruiting numbers have recently become a reality for the military, but despite falling short of the goal for new soldiers, officials believe the armed services have nothing to worry about.

"SSG Kurt Lemke, Army Recruiter, "The overall Army might have missed it by 80,000 as far as recruiting goal, but the retention goal was exceeded by such an extent by young people wanting to stay in the military, in the Army, that it was pretty much a wash between the two."

Now we know that the re-up numbers are achieved with massive signing "bonuses".

Army plans new recruiting pitch after bad year
Recovery strategy includes new war-zone financial incentives, finder's fees

"WASHINGTON - The Army has a master plan for recovering from this year’s painful recruiting problems that includes new financial incentives for enlistees, greater use of computers, a new way for recruiters to make their pitch and a proposed finder’s fee for soldiers who refer recruits.

"The plan was assembled after the Army fell more than 6,600 recruits below its goal of 80,000 for the year that ended Sept. 30. It was the first time it had fallen short since 1999."

And getting even more desperate:

Unlike in the past, they now can return to the Army without giving up their previous rank or undergo the rigors of basic training, said Hilferty, who described it as the first program of its kind for the Army.