PRESS RELEASE
October 11, 2006

Lansing, Mich.-As the Michigan Army and Air National Guard head into week two of their new fiscal year, they bring with them record-level recruiting numbers.

Of the 54 states and territories, the Michigan Army National Guard has been ranked number one in strength-averages for the first time since 1983 and has maintained the top position for 33 straight weeks. Previously, the Michigan Army Guard was consistently ranked at the lowest strength levels. Currently, the strength (total number of Soldiers) of the Michigan Army National Guard is 8,910, nearly 500 more than the Oct. 1 goal.

The Michigan Air National Guard has carried a 100 percent-plus strength since 2003. Their numbers slowly climbed after a period in the late 1990s when they sat stagnate at 88 percent strength and lagged behind most other states. "I think our success is based on many positive factors," said Maj. Gen. Thomas G. Cutler, adjutant general of the Michigan National Guard. "But it often comes down to word of mouth and the testimonies of our Soldiers and Airmen that convince people to join. College money and high tech training isn't what's selling. It's the honesty and reality of what we're doing for the citizens of our state and nation and it starts with service."

The National Guard Bureau, yesterday, released numbers also showing growth. Nationwide, the Army National Guard recruited 18,800 more people this fiscal year than last fiscal year and re-enlisted 41,083 Soldiers with a goal of 34,875 for 117.8 percent. The Air National Guard recruited 10,305 people or 98.3 percent of its goal of 10,480 and retained 11,135 or 110.2 percent.

Today, approximately 1,400 Michigan National Guard Soldiers and Airmen are deployed to locations such as Iraq, Kuwait and Afghanistan. An additional 180 Soldiers are scheduled to depart early next month. Since Sept. 11, 2001, approximately 75 percent of the Michigan Guard has been deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom; however, as Michigan troops serve the nation, more than 80 percent of the Michigan Guard remains available and ready to respond to a state emergency including a terrorist event.

--End--