Desertion Rate Up?
The MSM has found something they can sink their fangs into to rally the anti-war masses again:
Soldiers strained by six years at war are deserting their posts at the highest rate since 1980, with the number of Army deserters this year showing an 80 percent increase since the United States invaded Iraq in 2003.
While the totals are still far lower than they were during the Vietnam War, when the draft was in effect, they show a steady increase over the past four years and a 42 percent jump since last year.
They just can’t help but add in yet another Vietnam reference. I’ve gotten more than one email about this, so I’d like to throw something out there. Yes, it’s most likely true. Personally, I’ve NEVER come across any deserters. I haven’t had any in ANY of the units I’ve been in and none of my friends have either.
I can’t but wonder: Is this a ploy by the left? Are groups like IVAW, MoveOn, IAVA, Code Pink, ANSWER, and others enlisting just to desert and make things appear dire within the military? Are people enlisting with this specific intent? I mean, check out this little hidden tidbit:
While the Army does not have an up-to-date profile of deserters, more than 75 percent of them are soldiers in their first term of enlistment. And most are male.
That means that these individuals joined the Army SINCE the war began. There is no doubt in their minds that they may have to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan. Why join to do something you don’t want to do to begin with…unless you have an ulterior motive? I think my theory bears some looking into.
Luke
November 19th, 2007 at 2:29 pmIn my experience, people are signing up and NOT expecting to be sent to Iraq due mostly to recruiters. You say quote: “I’ve NEVER come across any deserters”. Neither have I. However, I have also NEVER come across a person that went thru the recruiting process without being told at least one LIE. A good friend of mine was interested in the service but not interested in going to Iraq. His recruiter told him for months on end that he would be guaranteed a duty here in the US and there’s no way he could be forced to Iraq. Several of his veteran friends (myself included) immediately began telling him this is total BS. He questioned his recruiter only to get talked into circles and circles until our friend ultimately believed the recruiter. So our friend joined the forces thinking he would get the cushy desk job here in the USA at the location of his choosing. Much to his suprise, guess where he is sitting right now? You guessed it. Iraq. Guess what he’s considering doing? You guessed it again, deserting. This is how recruiters get their numbers in times like these.
ma_che
November 19th, 2007 at 7:34 pmNot so fast, check this out
http://www.americanthinker.com/2007/11/military_desertion_rates_and_t.html
CJ
November 19th, 2007 at 9:42 pmLuke, anyone that tells people they won’t go to Iraq if they join the Army is a liar. Anyone that believes them is naive and ignorant of current events!!
Roland Van Deusen
December 15th, 2007 at 8:38 amAs a vet, I doubt anyone would risk death & dismemberment to make a political statement. Might be, w/suicides the highest in 26yrs, 10-20% of combat vets w/some degree of traumatic brain injury, 30% of combat vets seeking mental health help, vets, 11% of the US, now 25% of the homeless, 12% of the 2 million incarcerated, Army divorces up 28%, 80% for officers, twice @ many injuries as 25,000 combat wounded, military dependent child abuse up 60%, 4000 KIAs, desertion being the highest in 26 years is just another symptom that we’ve broken the Army trying to win two Asian land wars without a draft. Wait till the coming tsunami of depleted uranium victims hits . Desert Storm’s ground campaign was 100 HOURS long, 56% of its 400,000 vets nowpermanently diabled, 15,000 dead from DU caused diseases. One Afghanistan commanding General guessed “50 years” to win that one, but some guys wounded & discharged are dunned to return their enlistment bonuses for completing their contract years. If you get PTSD, some Army shrinks are ordered to diagnose you “personality disorder” so they won’t have to treat you, some VA evaluators deny your shrapnel wounds are combat related. Vietnam era, I got a master’s degree on the GI bill, but it’s another world now.
CJ
December 16th, 2007 at 11:12 amWow, Roland! Aren’t we the bright beacon of hope and optimism!! How about providing links to your “conclusions” from real studies on the subject matters you discuss? As an active duty Soldier, here’s a statistic for you: I think 85% of your comment is bogus.