How many service members fulfill their entire enlistment?

2016-08-15T23:33:33-04:00

I was doing some reading on attrition rates in the military, and I came across the following article which states that one in four service members receives a less than honorable discharge, and one in three separate before their enlistment is up. Is this true? I haven't been able to find any other stats on this topic. http://www.alternet.org/story/62945/top_military_recruitment_lies

Top Military Recruitment Lies

The new book Army of None reveals the scummy truth about the military recruitment complex.

Response by MSG Pat Colby made Aug 15 at 2016 11:41 PM

2016-08-15T23:41:36-04:00

The stats come off as legit but as you get towards the end of the article you find this Gem.....

From the article ~

"As recent statistics demonstrate, there are limits to how far Bush and the neocons can go with their plan for global hegemony when the resources for it are running dangerously low. Fortunately, the peace movement is in a position to further diminish those resources. If we apply ourselves to countering military recruitment, it is in our power to both limit the government's capacity to wage new wars and build a stronger base to challenge the nation's spending priorities. Simply put, counterrecruitment is a strategic and effective way to challenge the pro-war, anti-education priorities of our government."

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Aug 15 at 2016 11:41 PM

2016-08-15T23:41:36-04:00

I can only comment on myself and I more than did it. 21 years when all was said and done.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 15 at 2016 11:44 PM

2016-08-15T23:44:31-04:00

This link seems to cite notable periodical references, but by no means seems legit. I agree with some of the accuracy, but data must be backed by reliable sources, not periodicals (i.e. New York Times). It comes across as a well-written blog, however, the working group that the former Secretary of Defense commissioned way back in the early 2000s did note that on the average 17% of the military become careerists for enlisted. It's not a life for everyone and the bottom line is that they military is 100% voluntary and no one will make sign the dotted line. The choice is yours.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Aug 16 at 2016 6:22 AM

2016-08-16T06:22:15-04:00

I only know of two out of my old unit that failed to fulfill his enlistment, one was a medical discharge, and the other was jailed for CSC and commited suicide by drowning.

Response by SFC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 16 at 2016 7:28 AM

2016-08-16T07:28:00-04:00

Well i can respond pretty well to this for the years of 01-05. While working at the School of Infantry East during those times. Which is the place where marines go after PI. During those years for Legal and medically separation I sent at least 1500 marines out during that time. I would say 1 out of 4 is to high during that time. In my recent years in the Army working on the trail and doing different missions i would say 1 out of 4 would be pretty high but then again who knows what they do once they get to there units now.

Response by CAPT Kevin B. made Aug 16 at 2016 10:05 AM

2016-08-16T10:05:19-04:00

The whiny tone is a giveaway of cherry picking numbers and not using them for what they intended. They want to believe something so bad, they're desperate to grab anything, even stuff that's false. You see that a lot in the climate argument as well. The truth is in there somewhere but you'd never be able to get to it through all the BS.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made Aug 16 at 2016 12:28 PM

2016-08-16T12:28:10-04:00

I know the Army keeps very close track of IET attrition rates which affects Enlistment standards and policies for USAREC and IET training methods for TRADOC. Attrition rates being high have a lot to do with changes in recruitment and BCT/AIT, which affect the Recruiters and Drill Sergeants more than the rest of the Army. What many of us see as higher enlistment standards and "softer" training standards, and a "kinder and gentler" approach is really a product of high attrition rates and an attempt to keep it to lower acceptable levels. It costs money to recruit and train volunteers, and losing a high percentage is not cost effective so the solution is to make it easier. Not sure I agree, but that's how I see it.

Response by Cpl Justin Goolsby made Aug 16 at 2016 1:01 PM

2016-08-16T13:01:26-04:00

It wouldn't surprise me... when I saw the Early Out programs rolling out, I saw so many Marines jump on that opportunity. Then attrition is another one. You've got the one who just don't give a damn and will do anything to get out and the ones that surprise you. I remember a Marine who just re-upped, cashed his bonus check, and then popped on a piss test.

I don't know any stats, but it doesn't surprise me to hear some don't do the full term.

Response by SPC William Weedman made Jan 16 at 2022 12:04 PM

2022-01-16T12:04:19-05:00

I'll simply go with my own survey with 3 people me & my 2 best friends. We all attended basic around the same time & ended up at our first duty station within weeks of each other. After a year in Korea we all went stateside. 1 guy took a 90 day drop to go to school, I served out my 2 year contract the other guy was in the 101st Airborne and went to Desert Shield. Fast forward 7 months. 90 day guy was recalled and sent to Fort Campbell, I am in the NG & the other guy is in Saudi waiting to go into Iraq & Kuwait. Fast forward 6 years, 90 day guy is married has his degree and is living life, I see no future for me in the NG and ride out my enlistment & the Desert Storm vet is an NCO in the Army reserve. Fast forward 26 years, Early ETS guy and I are older and overweight our DS vet has retired and unretired from the Army Reserve and will retire again after all of his medical issues are corrected, if they don't Med Board him first. So 1/3 leave early, 1/3 serve their commitment & 1/3 make a career. My survey is about as accurate as anything you find in the non-military media. Find something done by HRC or BuPers, that will be much more accurate.