"Unity of Effort" recruiting hopes 1,000-2,000 soldiers will re-enlist

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army, fresh off missing its latest annual recruiting goal, has launched an unprecedented effort to coax former troops to sign up again for active-duty military service, officials said on Tuesday.

The Army this month began contacting 78,000 people who previously served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to pitch them on the idea of leaving behind their civilian lives and returning for another stint in uniform, said Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon. 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.

About 7,000 former officers were among the 78,000 receiving recruiting letters that stated, "There is no higher calling than service in our armed forces, and this is your opportunity to answer the call to duty again." "You've served our country before, and maybe you miss the adventure, camaraderie, teamwork and leadership opportunities that the military offers. If so, you can put your previous military experience and skills to work again as a soldier in the active Army," the letter adds.

Hilferty said the Army would be pleased if this "Unity of Effort" recruiting program coaxes 1,000-2,000 former service members to sign up with the Army. He said it was too early to tell how well the program is doing. About 80 percent of the letters went to people who served in services other than the Army, Hilferty said.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20051129/ts_nm/iraq_usa_recruiting_dc

i'll tell em to stick it!!!!!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x5473857

http://www.jsonline.com/news/state/nov05/373934.asp

Mosinee-Gary Olson is a 52-year-old grandfather, a retired U.S. Army veteran - and soon to be a soldier again, thanks to the need for troops in Iraq.

Gary Olson

Photo/AP

Gary Olson, 52, accepted early retirement from the Army in 1992 after 17 years of service but had to remain on ready reserve until age 60. He's been ordered to report for duty Dec. 4.

Olson was ordered to report for duty Dec. 4 in Fort Jackson, S.C.

"They're just looking for bodies to fill in. I have been out cold turkey for 13 years," Olson said. "My philosophy is this: I'm going to prepare for the worst and hope for the best. If I have to go, I have to go."

Sally Olson, his wife of 33 years, said that she was shocked by the orders and figured the chances of it happening were "slim to none" when he took early retirement more than a decade ago.

"Why don't they just go to the draft if they are getting this desperate for people?" she asked. "In a couple of months, he will be 53."

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The US DoD sent him home in the 1990's cause they didn't need him. He was just 3 years away from a 20 year retirement and a pension! He declined their "invitation" to rejoin the military 2 years ago. Now, because he was a mechanic (HUMVEE IED-magnet?) they think they can put him to good use.

I have to say here is one more example convincing me Bush/Cheney has broken the US military.