Army falls short

In terms of recruiting, the Army's biggest competition seems to be the private sector economy, an option that can offer young men and women more attractive benefits than the military.

Military officials argue the main difference between a job in the Army vs. civilian work is a 13-percent pay gap. In recent years, retirement pay has been cut from 50 percent to 40 percent. No wonder the younger generation is shying away from self-recruitment.

In a recent Los Angeles Times article, Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera said the Army is in its 14th year of downsizing in the midst of declining budgets.

The Cold War has been over for 10 years now. It seems fitting that the Army would consolidate its forces and consequently recruit less. However, Caldera says the threats of terrorists and drug traffickers are strong enough to warrant additional resources.

He says not only providing a competitive pay, but fully manning squads and having up-to-date equipment will show soldiers that the Army is committed to them and its country.

The Army tries to market the youth with terms like obligation, duty and serving the country, but it is just not as hard-hitting as the real world issues we will be dealing with, things like mortgage payments, children's college educations and new cars. If the Army wants our nation's youth, it is going have to up the ante.