I have more respect for active-duty Americans than ever:

As of March 31 -- halfway through the Army’s fiscal year -- 28,406 soldiers had re-enlisted, topping the six-month goal of 28,377. The Army’s goal is to re-enlist 56,100 soldiers by the end of September.

“It’s a very positive retention picture at this point,” said Lt. Col. Franklin Childress, an Army public affairs officer. The Army had nearly a half-million active-duty soldiers.