Wayne Allard: “If we look at the Air Force, the Air Force's 1998 number was 600 recruits short of their goal and over 400 recruits…”

“If we look at the Air Force, the Air Force's 1998 number was 600 recruits short of their goal and over 400 recruits short in the first quarter. Also, for the first time ever the Air Force will advertise on television to increase their lagging numbers. The Navy's 1998 shortfall was 6,892 recruits. While it met its first quarter, they had to raise their high school dropout rate acceptance from 5 percent to 10 percent. These are troubling numbers and these numbers are one of the reasons why the Personnel Subcommittee, which I chair--my good friend, Senator Cleland, is the ranking member--has called for its first hearing to focus on recruitment and retention problems. We cannot allow our armed services to become hollow due to the lack of personnel. The best way to ensure that we recruit and retain the best and brightest is to pay them the wages they deserve and provide the benefits to keep them.”