Army Misses May Recruitment Goal, Other Branches End Month Up

WASHINGTON – The Army fell short of its recruitment goal for active duty forces for the month of May but still remains ahead of its overall recruitment goal for the year so far, military officials reported Monday.

It was the first time the Army missed its goal since September. The other branches closed the month exceeding their figures, with the Marines recruiting 2,225 new Marines, 34 percent higher than its monthly goal.

Monthly figures released by the Pentagon say the Army fell short by 399 new recruits but remains about 2,000 ahead of its overall recruitment goal for 2007. Officials noted that it's not unusual for recruitment to dip during the month of May, and attributed the fall to just-graduated high school students who have not yet decided whether to join the military. Officials say figures usually pick up in July and August.

The Army Reserves exceeded its monthly goal, but the Army National Guard fell short 12 percent.

Retention rates remain above expectations.