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Army proceeding cautiously with drawdown
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As the Army begins to draw down the overall size of its active-duty force, recruiting goals are getting smaller, but not drastically so, according to Lt. Col. Mary J. Constantino, Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky.
“The Army’s recruiting mission is determined by the Department of the Army G-1 (personnel), who looks at various factors to determine how many soldiers we need to recruit each year,” Constantino said. “The mission changes every year based on the Army’s holistic assessment of its manpower needs.”
Previous Department of Defense news releases noted the Army will achieve much of its yearly drawdown numbers through simple attrition, such as retirement or end-of-service contracts, as well as fewer recruits.
Constantino admitted, however, she could not answer many of the questions posed by the Courier, referring them instead to the Department of the Army G-1. The Army’s human-resources office then responded via the Department of the Army public affairs regarding questions about recruiting goals and the need to balance overall numbers with recruiting men and women with particular skill sets.
Paul D. Prince, deputy director of public affairs, acknowledged that the Army continues to make “incremental, systematic and yet deliberate” efforts to maintain force readiness, manage the talent it has and keep the Army strong as it works to meet a congressionally-mandated end-strength by fiscal year 2017.
“Though the Army will decrease its overall size, we will continue recruiting America’s best-qualified men and women,” Prince said. “The Army’s accession mission is established by the Army’s deputy chief of staff G-1. We expect to access about 57,000 new enlisted soldiers in the regular Army in (fiscal year) 2014. We accessed 60,489 in (fiscal year) 2012.”
Prince noted that the Army has a budget approved for FY14, but the affiliated appropriations bill has not yet been passed. He said Army leaders are confident the Army will reach its recruiting goals for this year. FY13 data reported that the active Army achieved 101.01 percent of last year’s recruiting mission.
Prince said the Army is decreasing in size by about 20,000 soldiers a year in order to achieve the 490,000 end-strength dictated by the Pentagon. Also, the Army is prepared to make additional adjustments as required by the Budget Control Act. Prince said the active Army’s end-strength right now is about 528,000, and the Army is manned “pretty well” across the force.
“As we continue balancing readiness and the needs of a smaller force, there are some emerging skills we have to develop, such as cyber skills,” he said. “Ultimately, Army senior leaders acknowledge we do not want to draw down the force too fast to negatively impact the mission.”
Constantino said the enlistment requirements are high. In order to enlist in today’s Army, the recruit has to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident alien, 17-36 years old, healthy, in good physical condition and moral standing, and have a high-school diploma or equivalent.
Other qualifications include being able to pass a battery of multiple-aptitude tests, like the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or special tests like a linguistic test for certain military occupational specialties. She added that recruiters conduct background checks with law enforcement for any possible criminal charges or activities that would exclude him or her from enlisting.
Recruiters also screen each applicant to ensure he or she is in compliance with the Army’s tattoo policy.
“That policy states that tattoos or brands that are indecent, sexist or racist are not authorized on any location of the body,” she said, noting these restrictions include gang-related symbols. “Tattoos or brands on the head, face or neck are also prohibited.”

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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