While today's figures have boosted the confidence of Army officials, the optimism hasn't always been the case.
Just a few weeks ago, Army Reserves Chief Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz told reporters the Reserves were likely to come in at 96 percent of their recruiting and retention goals for this year.
The figures released today may cast doubt on that prediction, as the Army Reserves exceeded their their monthly recruiting goal by 121 percent and retention came in at 101 percent.
The Army Reserves' recruiting difficulties are unique because their primary source of new recruits are retiring active-duty soldiers. With Army statistics showing that two of every three eligible soldiers are re-upping, the Reserves' pool of available recruits is getting smaller.
The retention rate is also affected by the growing numbers of Reserve soldiers crossing over to join the active-duty Army. Last year, 1,300 more soldiers went from the Reserves into active-duty than those who left active-duty to join the Reserves.
In an effort to boost the ranks even further, the Army has twice this year raised the maximum active duty age to 42. This January, the Army followed in the footsteps of the Army Reserves, which last year raised its age limit from 35 to 40. In June, that maximum eligibility was raised to 42.
An Army factsheet says the January age boost was an interim step while the Army worked out additional medical screening requirements for recruits aged 40 to 42. Since the age limits were raised in both the Army and Army Reserve, more than 1,000 new recruits have qualified for enlistment.
