U.S. soldiers risking their lives daily in combat are also re-upping by the thousands, bolstering the Army's flagging manpower at a time when many young Americans are unwilling to serve. Since 2001, the Army has surpassed its retention targets by wider margins each year, showing an unexpectedly robust ability to retain soldiers in a time of war.
Unexpected by a far left newspaper like the Seattle Times maybe.
While the force is facing a shortfall in recruitment of new soldiers, it raised its retention goal this year by 8,000 people and still exceeded it, with nearly 70,000 soldiers, or 108 percent of the target, choosing to stay in the Army.
Does this look like a shorfall to you?
Why do they do it?
Despite the risk and long months away from home, many soldiers such as Outen say serving in Iraq gives them a sense of purpose, a chance to use their skills and cement a bond with fellow soldiers who become like an extended family.
Outen's infantry unit, Bayonet Company of 2nd Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, has lost three soldiers and received a dozen Purple Hearts and awards for valor. Yet the company of about 150 men met its retention goal two months early in 2005.
It's called patriotism.
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