MSNBC: Army, Marines miss recruiting goals again

WASHINGTON - Pentagon officials say it’s not a crisis, but it is a major concern — a battle here at home to win the hearts and minds of potential new recruits.

After more than three years of war in Iraq and Afghanistan, the all-volunteer military is facing its toughest test yet.

In April, the Army missed its recruiting goal for the third month in a row, short by nearly 2,800 recruits, or 42 percent off its target.

And for the first time in 10 years, the Marine Corps missed its recruiting goal for the last four months.

“Because the Army and Marines are too small and we’re employing them in constant operations, our recruiting posture is now coming apart,” says retired Army Gen. Barry McCaffrey, an NBC News analyst.