The Army's waivering recruiters

[unhappycamper]

The Army's waivering recruiters
December 3, 2007

WITH NO END in sight to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, Congress was justified in approving a Pentagon plan to expand the Army by 65,000 soldiers over five years. The enlarged force of 547,000 will help reduce the strains on soldiers who have had to spend too much time overseas and too little in training - or with their families. As long as the wars continue, the Army must find ways to expand its ranks without lowering standards. Recent data indicate it has not.

The Globe's reporter Bryan Bender reported Tuesday that, in October, the service had to waive one or more enlistment requirements for more than 20 percent of all its recruits. Of that month's 6,434 enlistees, 12.3 percent needed waivers because of criminal records, including felony convictions. This exceeds the 11.2 percent of such waivers for the fiscal year ending Sept. 30, which was already the highest annual rate since 2003. Other waivers are for physical deficiencies, including being overweight, and drug or alcohol abuse.

The Army Recruiting Command says that every case of past criminal activity is carefully weighed to make sure the recruit has truly reformed, with each waiver requiring the approval of at least a lieutenant colonel. But such lowered standards have to be a source of concern in the counterinsurgency wars that have become the norm for the military. It is vital to have troops who are effective at winning the hearts and minds of civilians.

In addition to granting more waivers, the Army is taking many other steps to find enlistees. It has put more recruiters to work and extended from 35 to 42 the maximum age for candidates. Signing bonuses, including a "quick-ship" bonus of $20,000, can reach $40,000, and enlistees can count on nearly $74,000 in post-service education aid through the GI Bill and the Army College Fund. For recruits who already have some college behind them and have accumulated tuition debt, the Army will pay off up to $65,000 in loans. On a trial basis, it is offering up to $40,000 toward the purchase of a house or the launch of a business after completion of service.

But the service should be encouraged to find even more ways to attract young people at a time when the unpopularity of the Iraq war, in particular, is turning them off. One program that was tried several years ago, called College First, provided enlistees with tuition aid for a couple years of college before they began their service. Giving that program another trial might be a way to make headway with the 67 percent of high school graduates who go on to at least some college education.

The best way to make Army service more appealing would be an expeditious end to involvement in Iraq. But since that does not seem to be in the offing, the Army must try creative recruiting solutions that let it keep its use of waivers to a minimum.


Article at: http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/editorials/articles/2007/12/03/the_armys_waivering_recruiters/

[Maq]

1. $$ payback provisions in fine print

QUOTE: In addition to granting more waivers, the Army is taking many other steps to find enlistees. It has put more recruiters to work and extended from 35 to 42 the maximum age for candidates. Signing bonuses, including a "quick-ship" bonus of $20,000, can reach $40,000, and enlistees can count on nearly $74,000 in post-service education aid through the GI Bill and the Army College Fund. For recruits who already have some college behind them and have accumulated tuition debt, the Army will pay off up to $65,000 in loans. On a trial basis, it is offering up to $40,000 toward the purchase of a house or the launch of a business after completion of service.


Are the Recruiters obligated to inform the Recruit that he/she MUST pay these bonuses back if they do not complete the fine print agreement. Ask for the INTEREST Rate percentage.

[MADem]

2. So much for that elite all volunteer force....it's now full of bums and crooks.

The kids who met the enlistment standards have gotta be a little pissed off. They didn't sign up to serve with criminals.

[Frustratedlady]

3. There was an AP article in this morning's paper, which stated...

the flight surgeon supply is short...Air National Guard needs more physicians to care for pilots, staff. This article is out of Fargo, ND and featured a surgeon who works an 80-hour-week practice in Ortonville, MN, and then is the lone flight surgeon for a unit that normally has four doctors.

Bush is decimating our military and leaving such a bad feeling in young peoples' minds, no one will join for years to come. With his last year(?) coming up, I wonder if he will reintroduce the draft?

[unhappycamper]

4. I had posted that article this morning in this forum.

Courtesy of military,com:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=259x7779