FY 2009 Recruiting Statistics

May any pakistani join US armed forces.

Is there a way to find out what the Army’s projected goal is for FY 2010…. especially for prior services patiently waiting to return to active duty.. ie. ( myself)

Eloia, there’s any number of ways by which you can grab onto a little AD (active duty). If active duty, via Regular Army, presents an opportunity, than by all means capitalize; however, don’t limit yourself, in your ad quest, to a traditional multi-year hitch in RA. The Reserve Components (RC) may present more choice…and more control…in your quest. Find out which units are slated for deployments in the near future. By either joining the unit, or “straphanging” (your MOS may be suitable as a replacement for an otherwise vacant slot), you may be able to add a few points to your RPAS (Statement of Retirement Points). Keep in mind that the RC, on the National Guard end, may have AD opportunities on Title 10 (OCONUS) or Title 32 (CONUS)…former typically being a tour to the sand pile or perhaps an overseas training mission; the latter, typically state duty in ADSW (active duty for special works)status. This could be anything from short-mission (a few days to a few weeks) to multi-year (recruiting duty, etc).

The key to all this is to familiarize yourself with the various options. Once you join a unit, if that’s indeed your choice, realize that, in all probability, they won’t bend over backward to help you out until you’ve served your time in the trenches: attend drills/AT (annual tng), take part in training preparations, etc. Your last option should be affiliation with the IRR…nothing personal here, but bear in mind that 1) there’s no guarantee of AD here, and 2) given AD opportunity, you won’t have a lot of control on things.

All this, of course, is conjecture. Inasmuch as recruiting stats are, presumably, up to snuff, you could well be considered over-strength…”don’t call us; we’ll call you”! However, I doubt you will experience that over the whole spectrum of the RC.

Good luck in your research, Eloia, and in your end goal of, again, lacing up them boots!

Sarge