Army plans to test another increase in recruit bonuses

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-04-army-recruits-bonus_x.htm

The Army is about to launch tests increasing cash bonuses for recruits above the current $20,000 limit and pairing returning veterans with recruiters to attract new soldiers, the service's top civilian said Wednesday.

Secretary of the Army Francis Harvey said his service wants to see whether a higher signing bonus boosts recruiting. (Related story: Harvey Q&A)

More than halfway through the 2005 fiscal year, the Army is 15% behind in its effort to enlist 80,000 new soldiers.

The Army has already increased the maximum cash bonus for a three-year enlistment three times in the past year, from $15,000 to $20,000, but is still struggling to meet its yearly quota.

Harvey declined to say how large the new bonuses will be or when they will start. In an unusual step, the Army will send combat veterans out with recruiters "to talk to young people about the value of serving their country," Harvey said.

Related interview with Harvey

http://www.usatoday.com/news/opinion/editorials/2005-05-04-harvey-interview_x.htm

An expectation of 'less reliance' on Guard, reserve

Question: The Army is struggling with recruitment. The burden on National Guardsmen in particular is great. How can you fix that problem?

Answer: There is no question that we have our challenges. In retention, we are doing fine. Our year-to-day goals are being exceeded in all components. The recruiting goals for the year in the active component are 80,000. In the National Guard, around 65,000. And in the (Army) Reserve, around 23,000. We are, year-to-date, at 85% of our goals in the active, 80% in the reserve and National Guard. So we are kind of getting a B-minus now. We are cautiously optimistic in making (goals in) the active, kind of neutral in making the reserve and pessimistic about making the National Guard.

But we have a number of actions ongoing. We are increasing the number of recruiters by approximately 3,000 starting at the beginning of the fiscal year to approximately 12,000. We've increased the incentives. We are going to start increasing the advertising budget. We are going to partner returning veterans with recruiters.

Q: Does all of that suggest, though, that there is too heavy a reliance on the Guard and reserve?

A: If you look at the next rotation, the so-called '05-'07 rotation, you'll see that we are going to have much less reliance on the Guard and the reserve. Right now, we have approximately eight National Guard brigades in Iraq and Afghanistan. That is going to go down to two in the next rotation. The number of reserves planned for the next rotation is approximately 10,000, from a level of 20,000.

[Tempest]

1. Bush's solution to everything

Just throw money at it.

[Cocottelle]

2. What does this

really mean? Does this mean we are closer to a draft?

[cmd]

3. Here's a graduation gift for you, kids

A free vacation in an exotic country and more than 20,000 dollars.
They wat to snap up these kids at one of their most vulnerable times.

[BrotherBuzz]

4. Cripes, that bonus is more than this draftee 'earned' in two years

So I guess it's true, this draftee added "no value, no advantage, really, to the United States armed services over any sustained period of time." - Rumsfeld (the Asshole)

[IChing]

5. starship troopers

If you haven't read the book, creating citizenship through the right to education, housing, healthcare but only if you join our wars.

[Mandate My Ass]

6. How about upping pay and benefits of those already serving?

Not to mention ensuring they are appropriately equipped to do their jobs. Then you might not have to bribe others to sign up.

[gratuitous]

7. So now they have to up the ante

Bummer! We weren't meeting recruitment goals because there just aren't enough kids out there who think their life is worth only $20,000, despite our best efforts to cheapen their lives.

Let's make it $25,000. Or $30,000.

Somehow I don't think Jenna or Bar, Jr. would sign up for that kind of chump change; but the military figures there will be enough recruits desperate for $25,000 to risk their lives. Society's winners and oligarchs, however, won't be sending their precious offspring off to Iraq to defend their opulent way of life. What should that tell us?

[NNN0LHI]

8. Won't this make people hold off on joining in hopes of another increase?

I would feel damn stupid if I just joined up for a 10 grand bonus and the following month it went up to 20 grand. Real goddamned stupid.

Don

[IChing]

9. your death benefits

to your family went up to $100,000 if you would join and that's up from $20,000 (i think )

[xultar]

10. But then they won't pay for your replacement limbs. That's a fair trade

:shrug:

[LynnTheDem]

11. Increase recruitment bonuses...and they just cut supp pay for reservists

and EVERY REPUBLICAN voted NO for more funds for the VA which says they don't have enough funds to pay for the medical for all the wounded blown apart veterans coming back from bush's Folly.

But we MUST INCREASE recruitment bonuses! MORE CANNON FODDER!!!

Sickest MFers on the planet.