"This report provides a brief overview of the recruiting and retention rates for Active and Reserve Component enlisted personnel during FY2004 and the first eight months of FY2005. Since the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the United States has launched several major military operations which have dramatically increased the operations tempo of the military services, required the large scale mobilization of reservists, and resulted in significant battle casualties. These factors have been particularly applicable to the Army, Army Reserve, and Army National Guard which have shouldered the bulk of the manpower burden associated with the occupation of Iraq. The Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve have also been heavily involved in Iraq. Many observers have expressed concern that these factors might lead to lower recruiting and retention rates, thereby jeopardizing the vitality of todays all volunteer military. Recruiting and retention results for FY2004 and FY2005 to date are summarized below. This report will be updated as necessary." p. 2.

"Order Code RL32965." "January 20, 2006." Updates can be received through CRS Web.