I would be very wary of reading too much into these extremely sparse statistics, assuming that they are true.

Firstly, over the years, there are very wide variations in funding for personnel and equipment. From what I understand, there is a desperate shortage of military people now, such that basic entry requirements have been lowered substantially. Fewer personnel, less equipment, means fewer fatalities.

More importantly, recent huge advances in medical treatment of war wounds means that a large number of soldiers who would have been killed in the past survive. So, same wounds, fewer deaths.

But the fewer fatalities as a result of timely medical treatment masks an enormous problem, exemplified in the current Iraq and Afghanistan wars. People survive from terrible injuries now, but have a life-long legacy of shocking head and brain injuries, and permanent catastrophic damage to limbs and structures throughout the body.

Looking at death statistics alone hides the profound quality of life effects of surviving what used to be lethal injuries.

Where did you get those stats ?

http://siadapp.dmdc.osd.mil/personnel/CASUALTY/Death_Rates.pdf

These are hard to read .Are they the same as your chart ?

Hmm... My figures seem to differ. Here are my figures through 2004 (http://www.murdoconline.net/pics/Death_Rates.pdf):

1980 .......... 2,392 (Carter Year)

1981 .......... 2,380 (Reagan Year)

1982 .......... 2,319 (Reagan Year)

1983 .......... 2,365 (Reagan Year)

1984 .......... 1,999 (Reagan Year)

1985 .......... 2,252 (Reagan Year)

1986 .......... 1,984 (Reagan Year)

1987 .......... 1,983 (Reagan Year)

1988 .......... 1,819 (Reagan Year)

1989 .......... 1,636 (George H W Year)

1990 .......... 1,507 (George H W Year)

1991 .......... 1,787 (George H W Year)

1992 .......... 1,293 (George H W Year)

1993 .......... 1,213 (Clinton Year)

1994 .......... 1,075 (Clinton Year)

1995 .......... 1,040 (Clinton Year)

1996 .......... 974 (Clinton Year)

1997 .......... 817 (Clinton Year)

1998 .......... 827 (Clinton Year)

1999 .......... 796 (Clinton Year)

2000 .......... 758 (Clinton Year)

2001 .......... 891 (George W Year)

2002 .......... 999 (George W Year)

2003 .......... 1,410 (George W Year)

2004 .......... 1,887 (George W Year)

These figures for the Clinton years differ greatly from those posted by Dinky. Here are the death totals for the first 4 years of each President's term:

Reagan - 9063

George H W - 6223

Clinton - 4302

George W - 5187

Uh, Tony, about 2007 recruiting

Componant Accessions Goal Percent

Army 80,407 80,000 101

Navy 37,361 37,000 101

Marine Corps 35,603 35,576 100

Air Force 27,801 27,801 100

Army National Guard 66,652 70,000 95

Army Reserve 35,734 35,505 101

Navy Reserve 10,627 10,602 100

Marine Corps Reserve 7,959 7,256 110

Air National Guard 9,975 10,690 93

Air Force Reserve 7,110 6,834 104

All services except the Army maintained the standards they've had for some time now. In the Army, "only" 79% had HS diplomas or equivalent.

No problems.

I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with anyone about stats. I believe what I posted to be a honest and true representation of the facts.

As to the U.S. Army lowering it's standards for enlistment, absolutely true. They have almost removed qualifications at all, convicted felon, no problem... we'll make him a sergeant, drug dealer and murderer no problem.

That's not the kinds and qualities of people I want to serve with my two sons that are currently in the U.S. Army. They verify that the standards are non-existant, some of the newer soldiers can even read or write above the 3rd grade, if that.

That certainly isn't the U.S. Army I served in.

Pissing contest ? How about listing a reference or a link so we can check the source of the stats . You can't just say ,"I found this totally amazing ." Where did you find it ?

I can say any damn thing I wish. Thank you very much.

The data was sent to my by a web watcher, I'm trying to get in contact with him and see what he says, now just sit back and cool your jets hot rod, don't get over heated.

As to the source of my data... the statistics are published by Congressional Research Service, and they may be confirmed by anyone at:

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf

http://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/natsec/RL32492.pdf