The army recruited 4,564 soldiers into its active force in October, about one percent over its target; and the marine corps signed up 2,788 for its active force, about two percent over target.

The recruiting figures of the army and the marine corps are closely watched indicators of the health of the US ground forces, which are carrying the bulk of the burden of wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Pentagon spokesman Bryan Whitman noted that recruiting goals are low at the start of the fiscal year -- and thus easier to meet -- and then peak in the summer months when military age youths have finished with high school.

"But this is good news," he said. "In the first month of this fiscal year in terms of the active duty and reserve components, it looks pretty good right now."

The air force and the navy also met their monthly recruiting targets.

The army national guard exceeded its month goal by 23 percent, the army reserve was over by four percent, the navy reserve by 12 percent, and the air national guard by 34 percent. The marine corps and air force reserves met their October target.

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