The Army is facing a sudden and unexpected scramble to boost its recruiting force by 800 by the end of the year. Hundreds of noncommissioned officers (NCOs) received orders via email to report to the recruiting school at Fort Knox, Kentucky, in less than a week, while hundreds more are set to start at the school in December. This move comes after a breakdown in the Army’s tracking system for recruiters, causing a sudden depletion of personnel. Army officials are unable to provide a clear explanation for the breakdown and the subsequent chaos it has caused for families.
One NCO expressed frustration over the lack of notice, stating that there is zero time to plan for childcare. The sudden move may force their spouse to quit their job due to the difficulty of finding childcare on weekends. The Army currently has approximately 10,000 recruiters, but the force has been losing troops over the past year. The addition of 800 emergency recruiting students will help maintain the desired numbers. Recruiters have reported working longer hours and, in some cases, facing termination for failing to meet quotas.
Lt. Gen. Douglas Stitt, the Army’s top personnel officer, took responsibility for the last-minute notification and apologized to soldiers and their families. In an effort to fill the recruiter ranks, the Army has relaxed minimum standards for sending soldiers to the school. Fitness scores and body weight standards are no longer requirements. Some soldiers who were initially set to be drill sergeants will now be reassigned as recruiters.
To incentivize recruiting roles, the Army is offering promotions and monetary rewards. Sergeants attending recruiting school will be automatically promoted to staff sergeant, assuming they meet certain criteria. Soldiers recently promoted to sergeant will also have requirements waived, providing a fast track for promotion. Those attending recruiting school by February will earn a $5,000 bonus, while current recruiters who extend their contracts can earn $1,500 per month for one year. Staff sergeants who volunteer for recruiting school and recruit 24 applicants in their first year will be promoted to sergeant first class.
The Army, like other services, has been struggling with recruiting due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The shallow pool of qualified applicants and a competitive job market have contributed to the challenges. The Space Force and Marine Corps managed to meet their recruiting goals last year, but their smaller size makes it easier to achieve quotas. The active-duty Army fell short by 10,000 recruits, while the Army Reserve only managed to recruit 9,319 new soldiers out of a goal of 14,000. The Army National Guard came close to its goal, bringing in 29,457 new soldiers out of a target of 30,880.
Overall, the Army’s sudden move to boost its recruiting force has caused disruptions for NCOs and their families. The breakdown in the tracking system and subsequent depletion of recruiters caught officials off guard. However, the Army is taking steps to address the situation by sending NCOs to the recruiting school and offering incentives for recruitment roles.
