New enlistment bonus
 

New Enlistment bonus increase.


https://www.usnews.com/news/politics...vid-takes-toll





LHC

We're failing to meet recruiting numbers. Badly. A buddy of mine is a detailed recruiter and he showed me the numbers. Areas that traditionally produced the most recruits are progressively more over weight and have health issues that disqualify them, and areas they're pushing into have drug or criminal problems.

Also doesn't help that for a lot of people enlisting it's because they know a servicemember, either in their family, or friend circle, so as they branch out they're really struggling.

I have a theory it's going to get worse. Retention numbers passed first contract are pretty solid, but a lot of career fields are bleeding talent at the 8-11 year mark for high performing SSGs.

I got a longtime army buddy who's still in and is a PAO at the Pentagon. We started together in the wake of 9/11. He articulately defended the latest commercial. He explained that the woke approach is tailored for the target population, not for us. So early 20's and HS grads who are more attuned to social issues etc. Maybe it's not working after all?
I think he gaslighted me! :D

Nah, Brother! More like he is simply supporting the narrative that pays his bills and “possibly” supports his beliefs. Who know anymore.

For 6 year enlistment in the skill sets the Army requires. 8+k a year (not overwhelming)

In 1974 the Army did the same for re enlistment....10 k for 3 years.
10k in 1974 equates to 56k today.

this is nothing new.

As a theory of mine, the first part you mentioned is countered by veteran family members who, looking at the current situation, are counseling children & grand-children, nieces & nephews, to go a different direction. There are some sad discussions being had.

The career mark you mention about bleeding talent is a movie I've seen before & that doesn't turn out well. You don't rebuild those numbers down at the "dilapidated strip mall on the south end of town."

The recruiting pinch is very real and is getting worse.
I believe it was mentioned as one of the US Army's biggest threats, in a pentagon report not long ago, (Right up there with global warming) :D

IMO the shrinking availability of warriors our society can produce will ultimately not be able to keep up with our number needs. I see only three solutions, all aren't great.
1 - Start ramping up the service for citizenship drives, we know how that went for Rome
2 - Reinstitute the draft in some form, also not ideal.
3 - Worse yet, continue to soften the military to attract more people, that ultimately kills the fighting spirit in the ranks.

Thoughts?

S

hm...
I'm not sure anyone really wants to hear my rambling incoherent thoughts on where we are and how we got here

We do indeed sir.

No worries, it appears that “they and those” have solved the problem; stand down, crisis averted.

https://www.military.com/daily-news/...ve-openly.html

Remember that cut to retirement that was such a money-saver a few years back?

The chickens have predictably come home to roost.

TR

Congress and bean counting.

Never a good combo along with a retirement 401k tied to the volitile Stockmarket that just took a negative 1200 hit. No thanks.

Had that exact same conversation with my son a few years ago (he's still in...but part of the "problem" if I was being honest with 18 Series teammates)...I told him when they started talking about the Blended Retirement System that the changes are never in the best interest of the Soldier. Recommended he keep his original high 3 plan.

He didn't. Of course that was before his 10 year mark and he was positive he was getting out.

He reenlisted last week for 6 years ($60k bonus; 35P Russian Linguist)...that'll take him to the 16 year mark.

The incentives to stay now have to overcome the disincentives + a portable 401K.

Depending on the disincentives in play for many there is no amount of money that can overcome them.