Washington ? Uncle Sam wants you, and in a poor economy, you might want Uncle Sam, too.

The Pentagon is hiring, and having less difficulty doing so than in flush economic times. The Army and each of the other branches of the military are meeting or exceeding their goals for signing up recruits, and attracting more qualified people.

Last year was the first since 2004 that all active-duty and reserve forces met or passed recruiting goals. That’s particularly notable for the Army, the service hit hardest by combat casualties in Iraq and by long and repeated overseas assignments that began in earnest in 2004. That was the first full year of combat in Iraq and the year that it became clear that the war would be much longer and bloodier than the Bush administration had expected.

Figures released last week suggest that as Barack Obama takes office the trends that make military careers more appealing will continue.