All the services and their reserve components continue to show strong recruiting and retention efforts. Statistically, the Air National Guard fell slightly short of its goal of 855 recruits for the month of July and the Army National Guard came in at only 72 percent of its goal of 3,549. However, according to the Pentagon release, both are readjusting their recruiting drives “to meet targeted end strength” and both remain “on track to meet or exceed” annual enlisted accession goals. Indeed, as we reported the previous month, the Army Guard noted it was in “contraction mode.” The Pentagon believes all active and reserve components will meet their recruiting quotas and end strength goals for Fiscal 2009.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.