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Army meets active-duty recruiting goal early

September 22, 2006

NEW YORK, N.Y. (Army News Service, Sept. 22, 2006) – The active Army met its fiscal 2006 recruiting goal ahead of schedule today when the 80,000th recruit enlisted at the Times Square Recruiting Station in mid-town Manhattan.

Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey conducted the ceremonial enlistment of Shirley Salvi, who enlisted under the 98XL option to receive language training before assignment as a Signals Intelligence Analyst or Cryptologic Linguist. Because she has a bachelor’s degree and enlisted for five years, Salvi received a $20,000 bonus and joined the Army’s ranks as a specialist.

A graduate of Rutgers University, Salvi said she enlisted for the “travel, leadership and experience.”

“I decided to join the Army after I obtained my four-year degree because I wanted an experience away from home,” said Salvi, 23. “I am confident that the training I receive will prepare me for any tasks that I am to accomplish.”

Harvey welcomed Salvi to the Army team.

“Ms. Salvi’s enlistment represents the achievement of the full recruiting mission for the active-duty Army for the year. We are very fortunate that our nation’s finest are responding to the call to duty and stepping forward to serve in a time of war,” said Harvey.

Like all new recruits and re-enlistees, Salvi swore to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. She will attend basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.

“It is a common misconception that educated young people don’t make the Army a career choice right after college,” said Staff Sgt. Gigi Theocharides, the New York City Battalion Regular Army Recruiter of the Year. “I feel that Shirley’s decision to make the Army her first choice is a reflection of the opportunities that exist for individuals of her caliber,”

In addition to meeting its active-duty recruiting goal, Harvey noted that the Army met its retention goal of 64,200 with the Aug. 31 reenlistment of a Fort Campbell, Ky., Soldier. The Army National Guard also met its retention mission last month, and the Army Reserve expects to do so next week.

The Army’s accession goal of 186,072 is larger than the Navy’s, Air Force’s and Marines’ combined, and is the largest goal since the early 1990s.

“We are at war and this sends a signal to our friends that the Army will continue to honor our commitments at home and abroad,” Harvey said. “It also sends a signal to our enemies and those who oppose freedom, democracy and equal rights – fundamental values upon which our country is based – that our Army remains strong, relevant and ready to fight and win the nation’s wars.”