The Redhunter

If I wasn't so old I'd join up myself. When I was young enough to sign up, I was too stupid and off doing things I oughtn't to have been doing. But if I lived life regretting things I didn't do when I should have I'd go nuts. But I've gotten off topic, and it's time to go back to the story.

What strikes me is the statement by the sergeant about a "vendetta because of 9/11". One, we are so often told by the msm that because there is no proof that Saddam was involved in 9/11(and he probably wasn't), the war in Iraq has nothing to do with the War on Terror. Further, liberals often trot out some survey which purportedly shows that some high percentage of Americans believe that Saddam was involved in 9/11, then we are instructed that this is due to the lies of the Bush administration... and it's here we go again with the same old tired mantra.

Second, many of the young men and women signing up must be in the 18-20 year age bracket. That means that they were 14-16 when 9/11 occured. And this in turn tells me that we have an awefully bunch of astute and smart young people in this country.

But if I may toot my own horn I knew this already. For anyone who is exasperated with the stories of young people doing wrong, I'd say you simply don't know where to look. Some years ago I discovered just where to look, and that place is as close as your local church.

I told you about my latest experience working with young people when I went on the mission trip to Scotland a few months ago. What I don't think I told you is that over the past 5 or 6 years I've been on other such trips and everytime I am impressed. (P.S. yes I know kids are on their best behavior around adults and all that but nevertheless I saw some amazing things)

I'll leave you with another quote from the article, about how recruitment goals are being met:

The military's numbers seem to back him up for the active-duty services, although the Reserves and National Guard units are having more trouble attracting new recruits.

For four out of the past five years, the Army has exceeded its goal for active-duty recruits, while regularly increasing the number desired. Fiscal 2005, which ended Sept. 30, was the first year it fell short, getting 92 percent of its 80,000 goal.

The Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps have all met or exceeded their annual recruiting goals for every year since September 11, although some monthly and quarterly shortfalls have occurred.

For 2005, for example, the Air Force exceeded its active recruiting goal of 18,900 new airmen by 322; the Navy topped its goal of 37,635 recruits by 68; and the Marines exceeded their 32,917 target by 44.