If they drained DEP to get these numbers id not bet that the next enlisted grading period will set any positive records.
Next year they might actually have to ship kids out to boot camp within days of signing their enlistment contract because DEP is so depleted
They exact way it was done in the past for many decades.
we don’t need to debate this since it’s a non starter for most here but.
My recruiting sign outside of the recruiting office I’d have set up in west Baltimore or inner city Detroit or in any poor rural area etc
”pot smoker ? been busted for selling a dime bag (once) back in the day ?
” don’t fear you can have a positive future, you can get a fresh start and serve your community and country at the same time while getting paid”
And for those many of whom would not have even a GED I’d invest a little in them, some time to get physically ready, time to earn that ged and time to find out if they were trainable. Maybe 3-4 weeks in a ccc like camp.
Then boot camp.
In our immigrant communities with illegals and along the border my sign would say something about signing up for and serving in The American Foreign Legion.
The way things are going in the world it’s not out of the question larger numbers of AD are going to be needed in the future.