I think by 2003 and 2004, we'll have roughly climbed back to where we were during the Reagan buildup. That will improve the recruiting base. DOD officials are looking to improve the entire recruiting effort. We're really looking at how we work with recruiters. Our recruiters advise us that many young people are really looking for the discipline, the camaraderie, the satisfaction that comes from working with success-oriented people their own age.
Marines know they are part of a larger organization.
They learn to work together, live together, train together and fight together. That it is an extremely cohesive organization. Offering service members the right incentives to serve a full military career is key to retention, de Leon said. That involves giving them challenging jobs with great purpose and value to the country. The soldiers that are there know that this is a very important mission.