Recruiting is still up across the board, according to the latest Pentagon figures that cover the month of July. Staying way ahead, for the sixth month in a row, is the Air National Guard, which achieved 129 percent of accessions compared to its goal. Next closest is the active Marine Corps at 117 percent. In July, each active and reserve component met or exceeded its recruiting goal. The gone-south economy has trumped predictions by defense officials earlier this fiscal year that it would be a tough year.
As commander of Air Forces Central, Lt. Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich has been at the heart of almost all U.S. military action in the Middle East, from overseeing airstrikes against Iranian proxy groups to protecting troops as America’s air defense commander for the region. Just before handing over his command to…