U.S. ACTIVE SERVICES REPORT MEETING OR EXCEEDING RECRUITING TARGETS

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Recruiting Remains Strong Through November
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2013 - All four active services met or exceeded their target recruiting numbers for the first two months of fiscal 2013, Pentagon officials reported today.

Here are the specific numbers by service so far for the fiscal year, which began Oct. 1:

-- Army: 11,685 accessions, 101 percent of its goal of 11,550;

-- Navy: 5,299 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 5,299;

-- Marine Corps: 4,293 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 4,307; and

-- Air Force: 4,452 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 4,452.

The Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps exhibited strong retention numbers for the second month of fiscal 2013, officials said, adding that the Navy exhibited strong retention numbers in the mid-career and career categories. Its 88 percent retention rate in the first-term category is the result of the Navy's transition from a downsizing posture to a stabilizing posture, officials explained.

Meanwhile, five of the six reserve components met or exceeded their fiscal 2013 recruiting goals for the first two months of the fiscal year. Here are the numbers:

-- Army National Guard: 8,453 accessions, 118 percent of its goal of 7,146;

-- Army Reserve: 4,013 accessions, 86 percent of its goal of 4,667;

-- Navy Reserve: 877 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 877;

-- Marine Corps Reserve: 1,768 accessions, 113 percent of its goal of 1,569;

-- Air National Guard: 1,414 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 1,414; and

-- Air Force Reserve: 1,279 accessions, 100 percent of its goal of 1,279; 100 percent.

All reserve components met their initial fiscal-year-to-date attrition goals. Officials said that although they expect this trend will continue, attrition numbers for November are not yet available.

FEEDING 300 AT A COMBAT OUTPOST IN AFGHANISTAN

FROM: U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Marine Keeps 300 Comrades Fed

By By Marine Corps Cpl. Ed Galo
Regimental Combat Team 6
COMBAT OUTPOST CASTLE, Afghanistan, Aug. 23, 2012 - Whether preparing the ingredients to be used for a meal, preheating ovens or making sure the food doesn't overcook, feeding 300 people can be a difficult task.

Marine Corps Cpl. Nicholas Fredrick, a food service specialist with Charlie Company, 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, Regimental Combat Team 6, usually starts his day around 4 a.m. to begin cooking breakfast here. He begins to serve at 7 a.m.

Fredrick, of New Castle, Del., said being the only cook at his combat outpost can be difficult.

"The hardest part is just putting all the food out there and keeping up with all the Marines." he said.

Fredrick, 26, says his favorite meal to cook is steak and lobster, which he tries to make every Saturday. "We have a grill in the back, and I'll just get out there and start grilling for the guys," he said.

He also is licensed to operate 7-ton trucks, the vehicles Marines use to move supplies throughout Afghanistan's Helmand province. Once a week, he drives as part of a convoy to pick up the supplies he needs to continue to feed his Marines.

Since Fredrick is the only cook in his company, he gets to decide what is on the menu every day. He said he likes to add something extra instead of just cooking them right out of the packages they come in.

"The guys always tell me they like the meatloaf," he said. "I like to add a little extra cheese to the top of it and bake it in the oven. They always love the steaks, too. I season those myself. I try to make things a little better for everyone out here."

Even though cooking for so many Marines can be a demanding task, he said, seeing happy Marines makes it worth it.


"I like boosting everyone's morale," he said. "That's [my] main purpose out here -- keeping the Marines nice and full and happy. If they're happy, then I'm happy, too."

Fredrick said he takes pride knowing that he is never late to open the doors to the mess tent. He always tries to open up 15 to 20 minutes early, he added, and sometimes closes late to ensure everyone is fed.

U.S. MARINES RUN TO GROUND ZERO IN NEW YORK

U.S. Marines lead a run to ground zero in New York, May 31, 2011. The Marines are assigned to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit and most joined the service after the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. More than 3,000 Marines, sailors and Coast Guardsmen participating in community outreach events and equipment demonstrations during Fleet Week 2011, hosted for the 27th time by the city. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Sgt. Randall Clinton