SFC Ralph E Kelley280298<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Saying what needs to be said and debating the issue are two different things. <br /><br />One of the things I've assessed is one reason for the drawdown is recruitment wasn't keeping with the Army's actual needs. No conspiracy theory here - just a survey of the Army's own documentation of recruiting issues/enlistment/enlistment factors and figures. <br />Basically the kids aren't signing up and the one that do aren't staying in greater numbers than ever before since the end of WWI. The fat lady is singing. I just not sure what the tune is. <br /><br />One man's opinion - fire away.The Drawing-down of the Army - are there other reasons than money?2014-10-16T11:11:46-04:00SFC Ralph E Kelley280298<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Saying what needs to be said and debating the issue are two different things. <br /><br />One of the things I've assessed is one reason for the drawdown is recruitment wasn't keeping with the Army's actual needs. No conspiracy theory here - just a survey of the Army's own documentation of recruiting issues/enlistment/enlistment factors and figures. <br />Basically the kids aren't signing up and the one that do aren't staying in greater numbers than ever before since the end of WWI. The fat lady is singing. I just not sure what the tune is. <br /><br />One man's opinion - fire away.The Drawing-down of the Army - are there other reasons than money?2014-10-16T11:11:46-04:002014-10-16T11:11:46-04:00CW5 Private RallyPoint Member280325<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div><a class="dark-link bold-link" role="profile-hover" data-qtip-container="body" data-id="142274" data-source-page-controller="question_response_contents" href="/profiles/142274-sfc-ralph-e-kelley">SFC Ralph E Kelley</a>, I hadn't considered that reason for drawing down the military. It seems somewhat counter-intuitive to me, but I guess it might have merit. <br /><br />I do believe, though, that the main reason for the drawdown is money, plain and simple. On another thread here on RallyPoint, people have mentioned the budget cuts and how our senior leaders are "fighting the good fight" to keep what they can.Response by CW5 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 16 at 2014 11:32 AM2014-10-16T11:32:19-04:002014-10-16T11:32:19-04:00SFC Ralph E Kelley296764<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As I said - it was one of things I have noticed in the past. When there were a lot of civilians wanting to join up then 'money' became available. I'm not really sure why - more resources/people available, more parents/votes - I don't know. Its just a trend I've noticed.Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 27 at 2014 6:33 PM2014-10-27T18:33:09-04:002014-10-27T18:33:09-04:00SFC Ralph E Kelley296772<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>As I said - it was one of things I have noticed in the past. When there were a lot of civilians wanting to join up then 'money' became available. I'm not really sure why - more resources/people available, more parents/votes - I don't know. Its just a trend I've noticed.Response by SFC Ralph E Kelley made Oct 27 at 2014 6:35 PM2014-10-27T18:35:23-04:002014-10-27T18:35:23-04:002014-10-16T11:11:46-04:00