August 27, 2007 (LPAC)--The U.S. Army, which has already drastically lowered standards in order to meet its annual recruitment goal of 80,000 by Sept. 30, is now offering a $20,000 up-front bonus to youth who sign up and agree to deploy immediately,-- so-called "quick-ship" recruits. Since the program began on July 25, they have signed up 3,814 youth. The bonus is higher than their expected first year's pay, reports the Washington Post today.