Army Poll Shows Recruitment is Down--particularly among women and blacks

According to recent polling, U.S. military recruitment is down significantly in the last year (see a complete story at CSMonitor).  In fact, since 2000, recruiting of African-Americans has dropped over 40%.  This drop brings African-American recruitment down to 14% of new recruits from a level of 29% previously.  Interestingly enough, the 14% is a true reflection of the African-American population in the United States.  The polling shows that disagreement with the President's foreign affairs policies, and a growing fear of being sent to Iraq are two of the top reasons youth are choosing not to enlist.  An Army poll conducted last year and just recently reported declares, "recruiting an all-volunteer Army in times of war is getting increasingly difficult."  A more cynical person that I might ask, "Where will shortages in recruiting an 'all-volunteer' Army lead?  Perhaps to some sort of draft?  Or maybe more forced extensions of enlistments?"  We shall see.