View Full Version : Army Offering $20,000 Bonus For 'Quick' Recruits
The Reaper
07-30-2007, 09:48
FYI.
TR
Army Offering $20,000 Bonus For 'Quick' Recruits
Bonus Goes To Those Willing To Ship Out Within Month
July 27, 2007
CINCINNATI -- As the U.S. Army continues to keep thousands of troops deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan, Army recruiters have a new perk to offer new recruits.
The Army is now offering a $20,000 "QS" – or “Quick Shipper” -- bonus to new and prior service recruits joining, selecting any job and shipping out for training within 30 days.
"The Q.S. letters means "quick shipper," said Columbus Recruiting Battalion spokesperson Tom Foley in a news release. "And $20,000 means, well, it means a lot of seed money for new soldiers answering the Army's call to duty. The Army is growing in size and we simply need more recruits for training, now."
The $20,000 bonus is in addition to previous offers already in place.
The Army has had trouble meeting recruiting goals, especially in southwest Ohio, in the past few months as the Middle East conflicts continue.
Soldiers have often complained about the traditionally low pay as well.
Foley said some recruits could tally bonuses up to $40,000 during this period with enlistments of four years or more.
Students News 5 spoke to at Boone County High School said the money is appealing, but would not convince them to join.
"I don't think I would, for that reason, to go over to Iraq,” said senior Jared Snow. “I don't think it would be worth it to me, but it would appeal to me."
Wonder how many will join just for the money?:munchin
Wonder how many will join just for the money?:munchin
Some will join for the money. Some fence sitters will also do it.
For those that were going to join anyway they will smile as they pocket the money.
$20,000 for a QS contract is not that much in the pocket of big government.
Wonder how many will join just for the money?:munchin
With today's voluntary army I would venture that few AD soldiers would say they joined for the money - perhaps training, travel adventure and many out of Patriotism. I think that sometimes we are too cy;nical. Ask yourselves why you joined.
IMHO the money would be better spent on retention rather than recruituing. That would include prior service to re-join.
Roguish Lawyer
07-30-2007, 10:49
I know you guys are offended by the suggestion that higher pay will increase enlistment, but this is just an economic reality. And incentives don't work only because people will join "for" the money -- in some cases, people may not join because the pay is not high enough to meet their perceived needs. I know many lawyers who would make great judges but won't accept an appointment because the pay is so low compared to what they make in the private sector, for example.
The Reaper
07-30-2007, 11:02
You and I may not care about the money, but trust me, nearly ALL of the significant others do.
Mama wants you to be able to provide for her and the little ones. That bonus is close to a year's salary, and may cause some to come on board who otherwise would not. Or cause a spouse to say "Okay", when they would have otherwise said "No way".
TR
You and I may not care about the money, but trust me, nearly ALL of the significant others do.
Mama wants you to be able to provide for her and the little ones. That bonus is close to a year's salary, and may cause some to come on board who otherwise would not. Or cause a spouse to say "Okay", when they would have otherwise said "No way".
TR
Well, while I was big game hunting in RVN one of my favorite sayings was: "They can't pay me enough to do this chit." :D
brandonm
07-30-2007, 11:46
Well, I got really lucky out of this deal. I signed my contract way back in January and ship August 9th. Got a call from my recruiter about a week ago and said that the $20,000 bonus applies to me as well. Oh, the good fortune :D
Kyobanim
07-30-2007, 12:13
Well, I got really lucky out of this deal. I signed my contract way back in January and ship August 9th. Got a call from my recruiter about a week ago and said that the $20,000 bonus applies to me as well. Oh, the good fortune :D
I guess this means the next round's on you :munchin
I guess this means the next round's on you :munchin
To re-state a quote...
Oh, The Good Fortune !!! :D
I was amazed that civilians actually paid big bucks to ski, sky dive, SCUBA Dive, and take long distance adventure treks through little heard of wilderness areas while we got paid for it. Throw in some pop-up shoot back targets and what else can you ask for.:D
Well, I got really lucky out of this deal. I signed my contract way back in January and ship August 9th. Got a call from my recruiter about a week ago and said that the $20,000 bonus applies to me as well. Oh, the good fortune :DShoot me a PM with your recruiters name/#! We have some guys out here ready to go yet; their recruiters have not heard of this incentive.:confused:
Stay safe.
Does this apply to National Guard side?
Does this apply to National Guard side?So far I'm coming up with YES & NO!
Read this closely...
"I would call several different recruiters; in different AOs!"
Stay safe.
sfrecrutr
07-30-2007, 19:48
As Guy said. YES and NO. No need to look for many different recruiters, just have them read the SRIP policy letter to see if it applies to your MOS/UNIT/STATE.
And Brandon, not wanting to rain on your parade but you better ask to see the quick ship bonus paperwork your recruiter is telling you about before you start spending it. Never heard of a bonus being retroactive!!
Ed
dmgedgoods
07-31-2007, 12:25
#
Scimitar
07-31-2007, 13:38
The recruiters on FutureSoldier.com confirmed the QS $20k.
Sounds like a very short lived thing though, may only last for 2-3 months.
Also probably wont apply to most 18X contract because there is roughly a 12 weeks delay to get a slot.
This time may have shortened now that the second SFAS 'school' is up and running.
I've been out of the loop for a few months.
Scimitar
I have a question for the soldiers.
Being a Marine I am largely ignorant of the culture of the Army. From what I have seen of the recruiting strategies the Army seems to be saying "come work for us".
The Marine Corps approaches recruiting from the standpoint of "come be one of us, join our family." Its a lifestyle and a tradition more than a job. Its almost like becoming part of the mob. The Corps seems to be having less recruting problems than the Army.
My question is, do you think that if the Army shifted to this kind of an approach recruting would go up?
Instead of promoting like its a job and then having to compete in the corporate arena, do you think it would help the Army to promote being a soldier as a calling instead of a career?
Again, I'm just a Marine and a Grunt at that so forgive me if this question seems ingnorant of the bigger picture.
...My question is, do you think that if the Army shifted to this kind of an approach recruting would go up?....
Good question. I think the answer would be in the size of the two organizations.
The Marines are filling a smaller quota. The Marine adds are also very good. They are focused on "Join the Marine family" as you say.
The Army adds have to appeal to a wider base in order to fill the thousands of support positions as well as the "action guy" stuff. The Army adds appear to be split between the Action Guy adds, Learn a trade/earn money for college adds and the Guard angle of Protect your state, go to war when you're called adds.
I have a question for the soldiers.
Being a Marine I am largely ignorant of the culture of the Army. From what I have seen of the recruiting strategies the Army seems to be saying "come work for us".
The Marine Corps approaches recruiting from the standpoint of "come be one of us, join our family." Its a lifestyle and a tradition more than a job. Its almost like becoming part of the mob. The Corps seems to be having less recruiting problems than the Army.
My question is, do you think that if the Army shifted to this kind of an approach recruiting would go up?
Instead of promoting like its a job and then having to compete in the corporate arena, do you think it would help the Army to promote being a soldier as a calling instead of a career?
Again, I'm just a Marine and a Grunt at that so forgive me if this question seems ingnorant of the bigger picture.YES!
Stay safe.
I agree with Pete. I can't remember the numbers exactly, but essentially the Army recruits numbers equivalent to the entire USMC each and every year. To do that you have to appeal to a wider segment of the population and to do that requires a different marketing strategy for each.
From what I've seen the Army is trying to bring more of the Marine-style ads into the mix to appeal to those who join for reasons other than job training or $$ alone. I recently saw one that was pretty good that had dudes conducting an airborne op that touted "leadership" or something like that. I thought it was well done and much better than the "dragon slaying" ad campaign that the USMC had going for a while.
Team Sergeant
08-06-2007, 09:34
What’s sad is the population of the United States is approximately 301,000,000. The entire US military is under two million.
A tenth of that two million makes up the actual combatants and we cannot fill our ranks.
Less than .05% of the population of United States actually defends America on a daily basis, .05%.
I see those numbers dropping dramatically if Hussein Obama or Queen hillary ascends to the throne. Might just be the "300" all over again.
TS
What’s sad is the population of the United States is approximately 301,000,000. The entire US military is under two million.
A tenth of that two million makes up the actual combatants and we cannot fill our ranks.
Less than .05% of the population of United States actually defends America on a daily basis, .05%.
I see those numbers dropping dramatically if Hussein Obama or Queen hillary ascends to the throne. Might just be the "300" all over again.
TS
Agreed Sir. FWIW, we 'round here will keep supporting Ya'll to the limit! :cool:
(As that is what we can do to help.)
Holly
I recently saw one that was pretty good that had dudes conducting an airborne op that touted "leadership" or something like that. I thought it was well done and much better than the "dragon slaying" ad campaign that the USMC had going for a while.
Ok, look I didn't say that every commercial we had is gold. In fact that one was both gay and homosexual. That was kind of a low blow, it hurt me in the cockles.:D
I also understand that part of the Army's problem does stem from the sheer numbers that they have to field. I didn't adress that in my post because I thought it might be sort of a thread highjack. I was just trying to address wether or not the Army could improve their recruitment efforts by addressing them in a different way. I appreciate you gentlemen humoring me and giving me feedback on this.
.... I appreciate you gentlemen humoring me and giving me feedback on this.....
You missed all the feedback we gave on the Army of One Campaign.:)
Pete
The Reaper
08-06-2007, 14:32
You missed all the feedback we gave on the Army of One Campaign.:)
Pete
You should have been at the SFAS Board when the 1st Battalion Commander asked a candidate if he had seen him before on TV, maybe in a commercial ad.
The original Mr. Desert Runner, "Army of One" had to fess up and take some lumps before being told to bring his Army back later and try again.
TR
Tubbs,
Sorry about mentioning the dragon slaying ad. You're right, that was a low blow.
I know it was gay. Everybody who watched it probably thought the same thing.
It was mean and hurtful of me to bring it up. :D
20K - Wow. That is a lot of cash.
Any money that can go into a Soldier's account is good. The worry that I have is they are given this huge amount of money without any guidance or direction. Considering the age of most who would receive this, how many are getting themselves into financial debt? There are great programs that can set a Soldier up for a great future if they are counseled wisely into investing. I hope someone is watching out for them.
20K - Wow. That is a lot of cash.
Any money that can go into a Soldier's account is good. The worry that I have is they are given this huge amount of money without any guidance or direction. Considering the age of most who would receive this, how many are getting themselves into financial debt? There are great programs that can set a Soldier up for a great future if they are counseled wisely into investing. I hope someone is watching out for them.
Hah, that reminds me of BCT. Every night after dark, a few of the kids (usually the ones who worked the hardest to act tough during the day) would gather around my bunk for advice on money, girlfriends, all the stuff they'd talk to their own fathers about if they'd had them. I didn't mind, and considered it part of the job for an older guy entering the military.
Sometime during the cycle, our Drill Sergeant got a van and offered to take soldiers to several area banks so that they could open checking accounts. Many had never had a checking account, and needed one desperately for direct deposit reasons.
I was cleaning my locker when they returned. The Drill Sergeant burst into the bay shouting, "Where's Jatx? Beat your face, boy!"
While I was down pushing them out, he leaned down close to my face and asked, "What the hell are you doing to my Privates?"
"Nothing Drill Sergeant!"
"You're lying to your Drill Sergeant. You want to know how I know?", he asked.
"No Drill Sergeant! I mean yes Drill Sergeant!"
"Because we were leaving Wachovia after they got their checking accounts, and eight turned back to ask about saving and investment products!"
:D
TheGreatDillion
08-07-2007, 22:21
I'm shipping 20070809 and I just looked over this thread earlier this evening and gave my recruiter a call about it. My recruiter made a couple calls and when I went to take my PT test tonight he said I'm good to go for the additional 20k. I've got a copy of the memo the office recieved to bring to MEPS and we've highlighted the passage that says something along the lines of "All non-prior service that ship on or prior to the end of FY 2007 (end of september) are eligible for the 20k in addition to any other bonuses recieved." Obviously I haven't been to MEPS yet to give my contract another once over and make changes and then ship, but it sounds like the real deal.
I'd like to add off topic that I'm definitely not joining for the paycheck but if Uncle Sam is offering me 20k that I can dump into a 401k I'm not going to turn it down. If any of ya'll are shipping before then I'd get in touch with your recruiter asap.
One more thing since this thread is targeting those in delayed entry status.... if any of you young/single guys haven't spoken with somebody to give you investment advice, do yourself a favor and put that on the do-to list. I'm only 20 and by no means a speaking from a lot of experience but I've met with a few through family and now is the time to think about this, especially with the signing bonuses these days. Consider this; if you do in fact make the cut you'll be training for roughly 2 years without a whole lot to blow cash on if you're smart.
I hope this doesn't look like too much of a rant/lecture from a PVT, but I thought this was a thread I could definitely contribute too.
The Reaper
08-09-2007, 18:13
http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,292790,00.html
Army Recruiters May Soon Offer Home Buying, Business Seed Money
Thursday , August 09, 2007
WASHINGTON —
Need a down-payment for your home? Seed money to start a business? The Army wants to help -- if you're willing to join up.
Despite spending nearly $1 billion last year on recruiting bonuses and ads, Army leaders say an even bolder approach is needed to fill wartime ranks.
Under a new proposal, men and women who enlist could pick from a "buffet" of incentives, including up to $45,000 tax-free that they accrue during their career to help buy a home or build a business. Other options would include money for college and to pay off student loans.
An Associated Press review of the increasingly aggressive recruiting offerings found the Army is not only dangling more sign-up rewards -- it's loosening rules on age and weight limits, education and drug and criminal records.
It's all part of an Army effort to fill its ranks even as the percentage of young people who say they plan to join the military has hit a historic low -- 16 percent by the Pentagon's own surveying -- in the fifth year of the Iraq war.
In June, the Army failed to meet its recruitment target for the second month in a row, although it apparently met its goal to recruit 9,750 troops in July and is on target for 80,000 for the year that ends Sept. 30.
As part of a push to make its 2007 goals, the Army is boosting the size of its 8,000-member recruiting force with 1,000 to 2,000 assistants -- including some former recruiters.
Defense Secretary Robert Gates wants to increase the size of the active-duty Army by 65,000 to a total of 547,000 within five years. In part, that's to ease the wartime strain on the Army, which is the largest branch of the military.
"Recruiting next year and beyond will remain challenging and will ... require additional innovative approaches," said Lt. Col. Michael Rochelle, the Pentagon's deputy chief of staff for personnel. He asked lawmakers last week on Capitol Hill for money to pay for the new program.
Rochelle described the latest offering as an updated version of the Army's college fund, a popular program started in 1982 to help soldiers pay for college.
The Army would like to start a pilot program targeting 500 people who might not otherwise considering joining. In the pilot, the takers who complete a 4-year enlistment would be eligible for up to $30,000 in incentives -- including money for a home loan or business. Eventually, the Army wants to offer up to $45,000.
Beyond the Iraq war, the military says other factors have affected its ability to recruit. More high school graduates are going to college, and the economy is strong, providing lots of civilian jobs. At the same time, only three of 10 people between 17 and 24 fully meet the military's standards.
Less obvious factors have also decreased the recruitment pool. They include higher obesity rates, more people diagnosed with mental health conditions such as attention-deficit disorder, more criminal citations due to the increase of the drinking age from 18 to 21.
"The numbers of people who meet our enlistment standards is astonishingly low," said Michael Dominguez, principal deputy undersecretary of defense.
Among the changes that have helped attract more recruits:
-- Increasing to $20,000 the bonus for troops who join by Sept. 30 and leave for boot camp within a month.
-- Raising the enlistment age to 42.
-- Allowing recruits to come in with non-offensive tattoos on their hands and neck.
-- Offering a $2,000 bonus to Army soldiers who refer a new recruit.
-- Enlisting recruits who don't meet weight standards and must trim down their first year.
-- Advertising that targets potential recruits' parents.
-- Increasing the number of recruits with general education diplomas rather than regular high school diplomas.
-- Creating a more pleasant boot camp environment.
-- Sending "gung-ho" soldiers fresh from boot camp or war zones back to their hometowns to visit old friends and schoolmates to promote the Army.
-- Increasing to more than 15 percent the number of Army and Army Reserve troops given waivers for medical and moral reasons or for positive drug and alcohol screen tests.
Tyka Pettey, 21, of Philadelphia, said she was fully aware of the risks when she signed up in late July for a six-year stint in the Army Reserve. Doing so will help her pay to go to college in a medical field. With her $20,000 bonus, she plans to buy a car and pay off debt.
She said she had been thinking about joining for more than a year. Once she made the decision, she said she was impressed with how much the recruiters in Upper Darby, Pa., were able to help her.
"You really have to want to do something like that. You're really taking a major step from your civilian life ... but I just decided to go for it," said Pettey, who leaves in about a week for boot camp.
The Army spent $353 million last year on enlistment bonuses, $583 million on recruiting and advertising and $700 million on pay and benefits for recruiters, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Donna Lieberman, executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, said her organization is concerned that low-income young people and minorities are targeted by recruiters and lured with promises into making decisions they would not otherwise have made.
"I think as the incentives increase, the potential for misrepresentation and abuse increases," Lieberman said.
Irene Fiala, a sociology professor at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania who has researched recruiting trends, said the military is attempting to change with society because the days are over when it was an American virtue to join and it was expected that all young men would do so.
"Uncle Sam pointing his finger at you saying, 'We want you,' isn't cutting it for today's kids," Fiala said. "Today's kids are saying, 'Yeah, you want me and so does GE and so does MIT, so what else are you going to offer me?"'
It's not just the attitudes of young people that have seemingly shifted. In 2005, statistical surveys revealed that because of the Iraq war, adults who work with students were less likely to suggest joining the military.
"The willingness of coaches, teachers, counselors and parents to commend military service to America's youth is lower than is good for our nation and our military," said Dominguez, the Defense Department official.
The words "pleasant" and "boot camp" together in the same sentence....just sounds so paradoxical.
Couldn't agree more.
Daughter # 2's boyfriend has now shot 4th highest in his training company.
He is still having FUN. Hmmm - I wonder if he's a keeper?
TAN2GREEN
08-10-2007, 06:49
Gentlemen,
I just finished phase 3 (18B). I spoke with the re-enlistment NCO at SWCPAC and he told me that all students who graduate phase 3 will get orders awarding them their specific 18 series MOS a few weeks after graduating (New SWC internal policy). Where as before we had to wait until graduation of the Q course.
RLTW!
T2G