U.S. Army Recruiting Improves.

The US Army says it will meet its 2006 recruiting goal, pulling itself up from a severe shortfall in 2005. The Pentagon's largest service - and the one bearing the brunt in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan - enlisted 10,890 people last month. That brings the total to 62,505 for the year and puts the army on course to meet its goal of 80,000 for the budget year ending next month.

Jeff Spara, US army recruiting division chief, on Aug. 10 said: "We are going to make the mission". Among other things, Spara credited additional recruiters, better pay bonuses and other incentives and new policies on eligibility. Spara challenged contentions that the service was lowering its standards for recruits because it had been stretched thin after three years of war in Iraq.