Sig Heil!!!!!
"Bonuses, elite repute boost Marine numbers; Growth eases strain on forces sent overseas" by Lolita C. Baldor, Associated Press | December 31, 2008
WASHINGTON - Buoyed by more recruiters, bigger bonuses, and an elite reputation, the Marine Corps has grown by nearly 27,000 members in a little more than two years - half the time that military officials believed it would take.
While the rapid expansion has stretched the Marine budget and put some recruits in temporary or quickly refurbished barracks, it is also easing the strain on Marine forces tapped for duty in Iraq and Afghanistan.
In early 2007, the Marine Corps launched a program to expand its ranks - planning to add about 5,000 Marines a year for five years and reaching a total of 202,000 by 2012. But this month the Marines already hit 200,000, and General James Conway, commandant of the Marine Corps, said they will meet their 202,000 goal in early 2009.
According to Brigadier General Robert Milstead Jr., commander of Marine Corps Recruiting Command, the Marines brought on more than 500 additional recruiters and increased the budget for recruiting bonuses from $66 million in fiscal year 2007 to $89 million in 2008.
Would that have paid off your mortgage, Amurkn?
These WARS based on LIES getting EXPENSIVE, huh?
At the same time, as more recruits were coming in the doors, military leaders also launched a campaign to get more current Marines to reenlist for another tour. In the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, the budget for retention bonuses was $464 million, and that amount was boosted to $469.5 million for the current fiscal year.
Gee, imagine how many roads that would have fixed or schools it could have built or people who could have gotten health care. Naw, better used to serve our kids up for slaughter for a bunch of wars based on the lies of empire!
The bonuses made their mark. In fiscal 2008, 35 percent of active duty Marines reenlisted, compared with 24 percent two years ago. As the size of the Marine Corps grew, officials increased the number of battalions from 24 to 27 and bolstered the ranks of critically needed specialties, including linguists, cryptologists, and intelligence officers....
Translation: The WARS will go ON and ON and ON!! In fact, looks like they are getting ready to start the BIG ONE, don't it?
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Marine leaders said retention rates may be benefiting a bit from the economic meltdown. Marines and their families may be deciding that now is a good time to stay on and wait out the plunging job market, said Milstead.
Almost as if PLANNED (it was and is, readers)!!!!
But while bonuses may draw recruits, a more lucrative enticement for first-time recruits may be the Marines' legacy and identity, Corps officials said. "Kids join the Marines because they want to join the Marines, not because they're tired of flipping burgers," Milstead said....
Yeah, I'm sure the LACK of MONEY and JOBS have NOTHING to do with it!!!!
