Army Guard says may lay off as many as 800 recruiters, $2 Billion shortfall

[The Straight Story]

Army Guard says $2 billion shortfall threatens 2008 recruiting
By Megan Scully CongressDaily August 16, 2007

The Army National Guard is facing a $2 billion shortfall in its personnel and training accounts that, if not corrected, would hinder preparations for overseas deployments and force Guard officials to abandon recruitment efforts by early next year.

Despite continued heavy reliance on the force for overseas missions, the Pentagon's fiscal 2008 budget request falls $1.2 billion short of what the Army Guard said it needed for pre-mobilization training, a deficit that could affect units rotating into Iraq and Afghanistan next year, congressional and defense sources said.

In a potentially more devastating blow to the force, the budget request shortchanges the Army Guard's recruiting and retention accounts by $822 million -- a deficit that could drive the Guard to lay off as many as 800 recruiters and stop awarding enlistment and re-enlistment bonuses by January.

The fiscal 2008 budget shortfalls would be a "significant setback" to the Army Guard after a reinvigorated recruiting and retention campaign has led to historic growth of the force, said Col. Mike Jones, the Army Guard's director of recruiting and retention.

http://www.govexec.com/story_page.cfm?articleid=37800&dcn=todaysnews

[aquart]

1. Golly, Bush is genuinely leaving us naked to our enemies.

And he's making us so many enemies.

But he is NOT Satan?

[Hawkowl]

2. Draft eliminates need for recruiters

Send those recruiters into combat in Iran. I believe that really is the plan. An intensive sea and air campaign against Iran which will retaliate with a massive land assault in Iraq. The U.S. will need about 500,000 new troops. Think Korea in 1950 when China entered the war. Cheney is a sociopath and Shrub is insane because god tells him what to do.

[AndyTiedye]

3. I Think I Feel a Draft

Why would they cut back on recruiters when they are so desperate for more troops?

Could it be that they don't plan on asking anymore? They're just going to TAKE from now on.

[babylonsister]

4. Cool. They're coming home? nt

[mike_c]

5. excellent news....

:thumbsup:

[Contrary1]

6. Yep...fewer recruiters to prowl the malls and High Schools. n/t

[pansypoo53219]

7. laid off?

why not send em to iWaq. let em know what their victims are heading for.

[B Calm]

8. Republicans have destroyed our military... Tell me again

how the republicans are the only political party that supports the military... I need a good laugh..

[SoCalDem]

9. How pathetic is that?

Laying off our army recruiters, because we are too broke.. Where is Jon Lovitz when you need him:rofl: