Military services exceed March recruiting goals

WASHINGTON — The armed services once again beat monthly recruitment and retention goals in March, with the Marine Corps and Army Reserve posting the strongest percentages.

The active-duty Army recorded 6,548 accessions, exceeding a goal of 6,425, the Pentagon reported.

Military services have reached or exceeded goals for months, which officials attribute, in part, to the recession. When other jobs are scarce, more people tend to sign up for the military, officials say.

The Marine Corps hit 143 percent of its recruitment goal, best among the services, signing 2,017 recruits on a goal of 1,411. The Army Reserve recruited 4,771, or 138 percent of its goal of 3,445.

Last week,Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates indicated the department will continue with plans to expand the Army to 547,000 active-duty soldiers by next year, although the number of combat brigade teams will be 45, rather than the 48 recently planned.

All branches met or exceeded retention goals as well, the Pentagon reported, although it did not post those numbers.