Another "Where is the MSM" Topic

NY Post, so you'll need BugMeNot to get in.

Article is on re-enlistment levels in the army.

Remember last spring, when the Army's recruitment efforts fell short for a few months? The media's glee would have made you confuse the New York Times and Air America.

When the Army attempted to explain that enlistments are cyclical and numbers dip at certain times of the year, the media ignored it. All that mattered was the wonderful news that the Army couldn't find enough soldiers. We were warned, in oh-so-solemn tones, that our military was headed for a train wreck.

Now, as the fiscal year nears an end, the Army's numbers look great. Especially in combat units and Iraq, soldiers are re-enlisting at record levels. And you don't hear a whisper about it from the "mainstream media."

You'd think since it is the "slow" news month of August, that something like this would be better addressed. But, since the MSM isn't blatantly liberal, not reporting this seems completely reasonable. What?

Here are some of the numbers reported.

* Every one of the Army's 10 divisions -— its key combat organizations -— has exceeded its re-enlistment goal for the year to date. Those with the most intense experience in Iraq have the best rates. The 1st Cavalry Division is at 136 percent of its target, the 3rd Infantry Division at 117 percent.

Among separate combat brigades, the figures are even more startling, with the 2nd Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division at 178 percent of its goal and the 3rd Brigade of the 4th Mech right behind at 174 percent of its re-enlistment target.

This is unprecedented in wartime. Even in World War II, we needed the draft. Where are the headlines?

* What about first-time enlistment rates, since that was the issue last spring? The Army is running at 108 percent of its needs. Guess not every young American despises his or her country and our president.

* The Army Reserve is a tougher sell, given that it takes men and women away from their families and careers on short notice. Well, Reserve recruitment stands at 102 percent of requirements.

* And then there's the Army National Guard. We've been told for two years that the Guard was in free-fall. Really? Guard recruitment and retention comes out to 106 percent of its requirements as of June 30. (I've even heard a rumor that Al Franken and Tim Robbins signed up -— but let's wait for confirmation on that.)

Of course, we'll hear stammering about an "army of mercenaries"- naive, uneducated kids lured by the promise of big retention bonuses. That's another lie told by the elite to excuse themselves from serving our country in uniform.

The article goes on, with the obvious "conservative" bend, but the numbers in themselves are fascinating. Not to mention the fact that this so very very under-reported. Do a Google News search on the topic and you'll be surprised at how very few news article show up. I found one from Fox that has more information, and only two others actually on topic.

[H/T Ravenwood's Universe]