Soldiers reenlisting in droves

[widebody911]

Originally posted by bryanthompson
I'm parsing all of the crap you just pasted... so far, not impressed

Of course you're not; denial is the NeoCon defense mechanism.

[rcecale]

I'm cruising the "source" of your documentation, Thom, and for the life of me, I just can't stop laughing at what you use as your source of "knowledge".

You seem like an intelligent guy. I figured you could do better than quoting a site dedicated to nothing but trashing this administration. Not an objective word to found on the entire site.

But, I know, It's on the internet, so it must be true, right?

Randy

[widebody911]

Well you know, it's so hard to find sites praising the administration that aren't full of sychophantic anti-liberal propoganda.

Irrespective of how you feel about the slant of the site, it doesn't appear you're able to refute any of it.

[rcecale]

It's not worth my effort to try. It's been done over and over again.

How does that line go? Stupidity is repeating the same thing over and over again, and expecting a different result. I'm not going to argue against your silly little anti-bush site because the minute something is proven wrong, they'll only pop up somthing else that's full of she-ite.

But hey, you believe what you wanna believe. Ya don't have ta live like a refugee....oh wait, that's something else altogether.

Randy

[CRH911S]

What's with the four tax payer subsidized kids? Randy's response is to be expected considering he's a part of the entitlement problem that is bringing America to her knees.

The military is the last resort for many children that have no place else to go. As far as tops911 is concerned, generally speaking, the military as a peer group is a very poor point of reference.

Today, the military is a safe place to hide the product of America's failed social policies. No doubt do to the lack of responsible people that have no business having children.

[rcecale]

CHR, you know nothing about me and are a total a$$ for coming on here and making any kind of claims about me as though you do. I love how you morons come on these pages and start running off at the mouth (or keyboard) about ***** you know nothing about.

You obviously have some personal problems that cause you to lash out against our military. What happened, did your wife run off with a sailor, your daughter run off with a soldier? Please, share with us, how you know so much about me and military people in general that you feel you can spew such drivel as though you were some sort of authority. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to read your "resume"

Randy

[tops911]

CRH911S, i feal compelled to respond but it would be a total waste of my time. You were probably chaptered out of the military so you hold a grudge against those who have chosen to make a career out of the military

[tops911]

I may of over reacted, if so I'm sorry. I've spent the last almost 19 years in the Army, Im proud of the job I do, and like any profession there some who should not be there, but there are a lot who give up more than you would ever know to serve. I'll tell you one thing the American tax payers are not subsidizing my kids. If you only knew what we went through as a family when I was a young soldier, the avarage American would be ashamed. Back when I came in all the married privates were eligible for food stamps, that how poor the pay was. Self pride keeps a lot of soldiers from getting food stamps or any other help. I know it kept me from it. Not every one is looking for a hand out. How about a fair wage, for the work our military does. As time goes by less and less Americans will have military experience so I'm not suprised there are people who think the tax payers are raising our kids. Even my dad thought the Army gives me new uniforms when they wear out, not so I have to but them. And one last thought, alot of the benifets were intended to offset the low pay that enlisted members recieved.

[fintstone]

Mr Hodges
It is pretty low to slam a man's life work or bring his familiy into it. You should be ashamed. Especially since you have not posted regarding your sources of income or support for your children for their critique. Of course these guys have too much class to return the favor anyways.
It is well documented that GIs are well above the average in both education and aptitute.
It seem that you condemn a pretty large sector of society. If you feel that military pay/benefits are somehow an entitlement.....you must feel the same about firemen, policemen, etc....if not, why?

[CRH911S]

It is obviously not due to the disillusionment with the war against terrorism, or with our leadership as many liberals would imply. Clearly the troops that are in the midst of this recognize the value of their efforts/contribution.

I don't know that I would consider the Army Times a reliable source of information, especially as it pertains to recruitment and reenlistment numbers. Cities with military installations tend to paint pictures that are, well, not necessarily accurate due to the large federal subsidies, which in the case of military personnel, are the tax payer funded entitlements these cities desparately seek.

Fintstone suggests a conclusion based on sources of information that is 100% accurate. It's hard to believe that anything coming out of the Pentagon would be 100% accurate and I am suggesting just the opposite. Retention goals for certain units may be meeting and possibly exceeding goals but this clearly is not the purpose for posting this topic. The liberal media reports that the military is not meeting recruitment goals and personally I don't know whom to believe.

Since credibility seems to be one of the issues here, maybe Fintstone could dig a little deeper and supply us with more information. Such as, rank and marital status at reenlistment and this would include dependents.

[rcecale]

Hmmmm, typical "head-in-your-a$$" kinda reply from someone who has no clue as to what they're talking about. Gotta love free speech! It's just too bad our founding fathers didn't put an "intelligent" clause in there somewhere.

Randy

[widebody911]

Originally posted by rcecale
Hmmmm, typical "head-in-your-a$$" kinda reply from someone who has no clue as to what they're talking about. Gotta love free speech! It's just too bad our founding fathers didn't put an "intelligent" clause in there somewhere.

...but we let you post anyway...

[rcecale]

Randy

[creaturecat]

Originally posted by rcecale
CHR, you know nothing about me and are a total a$$ for coming on here and making any kind of claims about me as though you do. I love how you morons come on these pages and start running off at the mouth (or keyboard) about ***** you know nothing about.

You obviously have some personal problems that cause you to lash out against our military. What happened, did your wife run off with a sailor, your daughter run off with a soldier? Please, share with us, how you know so much about me and military people in general that you feel you can spew such drivel as though you were some sort of authority. I'm sure I'm not the only one who would love to read your "resume"

Randy

So CHR is a" total a$$" for making claims.....
In the very next paragraph you proceed to exhibit EXACTLY the same behavior. Priceless
Your foul mouth and demeaning name-calling mannerisms have no place within the confines of meaningful discourse.
What are you so bitter about rcecale? Perhaps you need help.

[skipdup]

Originally posted by creaturecat
So CHR is a" total a$$" for making claims.....
In the very next paragraph you proceed to exhibit EXACTLY the same behavior. Priceless
Your foul mouth and demeaning name-calling mannerisms have no place within the confines of meaningful discourse.
What are you so bitter about rcecale? Perhaps you need help.

What ever.

[rcecale]

Here's a little "help" for you, cat.

A claim, such as the one made by CHR is correctly punctuated by placing a period, or maybe an exclamation mark at the end of the sentence. As you can clearly see, I imade no such claim, I merely asked a question. Which is clearly demonstrated by the question mark at the end of MY sentence. Think you can remember that? It will help when you reach 2nd Grade and they start getting into the "tough stuff".

As for me having a problem, yeah, I suppose I do have a problem with someone making claims about me when, as I stated in words simple enough for even YOU to understand, he knows absolutely nothing about what he speaks of.

Meaningful discourse??? Yeah right....

Randy

[Eric 951]

Originally posted by creaturecat
So CHR is a" total a$$" for making claims.....
In the very next paragraph you proceed to exhibit EXACTLY the same behavior. Priceless
Your foul mouth and demeaning name-calling mannerisms have no place within the confines of meaningful discourse.
What are you so bitter about rcecale? Perhaps you need help.

Randy, if you are ever in Pittsburgh, the beers are on me.

[CRH911S]

You forgot the dozen or so that will vehemently claim it was all Bush's fault (complete with web addresses to anti-Bush websites displaying supporting arguments) and the subsequent opposing opinions from the right.

Hypocrite

[Eagle Keeper]

Ok I feel I need to post to this for some reason. I have been in the USAF for 15+ years, I have been deployed numerous times. So I have a little more first hand knowledge of the situation than most.

I will freely admit that retention number are down when compared to the late 80's and early 90's. But they are far from putting the military in any position where the draft would need to be started.

Currently there is a program in the AF called "force shaping." It gives you the option of terminating you enlistment, with your commanders approval. The initial goal of force shaping was to have 16,600 Airmen leave the Air Force, 3,900 officers and 13,700 enlisted. Those numbers are projected to be 24,000 by Sept. 30, 2005, because of record retention rates.

If there was a problem keeping people in would there be a program in place to get people out?

Currently our goal is to have 55% of first term Airmen stay in. For FY03 it was 61%, & FY04 it was 67%. Our second term retention rate for FY03 was 75% and FY04 it was 75%. Our career Airman rate for FY03 was 95% and FY04 it was 98%. Those numbers hardly reflect a military in trouble.

On the recruting side we enlisted 34,362 service members for the year, topping the recruiting goal by 282 people.

CRH911S

If you have any more questions let me know I can get you just about any stats you want. Its called freedom of information. If you think the pentagon is not being truthful, I can tell you in the last year I can remember 1 person getting out (not retireing after 20 years) after there 1st enlistment.

The next time you make a statement like;

The military is the last resort for many children that have no place else to go. As far as tops911 is concerned, generally speaking, the military as a peer group is a very poor point of reference.

I sugest you read what a bunch of rejects are capable of.

Click here!

[rcecale]

Jason,

First of all, Thank you, sir, for your much valued service.

Second, don't expect too much of a response from CRH. Reading doesn't seem to be one of his strengths. Nor does giving an answer to any questions posed to him. It's becoming more and more apparent that he's nothing more than a functioning (questionable) illiterate.

For whatever reason, he is bitter towards the military and just can't seem to get past it. My only guess is that somehow, somewhere he was, in HIS opinion, wronged by either a branch of the military, or by some servicemember. To harbor such resentment towards something the way he does the military just can't be healthy for this little guy. I think I'm actually starting to feel sorry for him.

Last, keeping in step with Eric's kind offer for the next time I'm in Pittsburgh, I'd love to buy you a cold one if you're ever up in the Atlanta area. And of course, this invitation is extended to ANY past or present servicemember that posts here. Heck, I'm feeling so benevolent right now, I think I'd even buy CRH a beer,..........naahhhhh!

Randy