On CNN’s Your World Today, Jim Clancy just reported the high re-enlistment rates that signal that the troops in Iraq believe in the mission. During a discussion of the Iraqi security forces with a RAND expert, Clancy reported that re-enlistment rates, especially among combat units, have exceeded Pentagon goals.

I’ve been watching YWT and Clancy since CNN started airing YWT, a CNN International show, in the United States back in June, and I’ve been consistently impressed with Clancy’s willingness to ask tough questions to terrorist apologists in the U.N. and the Arab League and his refusal to buy into the knee-jerk handwringing over any setback in Iraq to which his colleagues seem so susceptible.

In other news on the recruitment front, Captain’s Quarters posted an e-mail from “a commanding officer of a unit stationed in the Middle East.” CQ’s correspondent writes:

It’s important to point out that we have a highly motivated military. I have *never* seen those sort of re-enlistment rates before, and I’ve 26 years time in service. The recruitment rates, while not spectacular, are excellent when you consider that the economy is in good shape, and there is a good chance that joining up means a tour in Iraq. Yes, people are chosing not to join the military, but that was the case before 9/11. I don’t see a major problem here, in my opinion.