Posted on Jul 20, 2023
How would you solve the military recruiting challenges currently facing DOD?
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The recruiting struggles continue across all branches. (https://www.wsj.com/story/the-us-army-expects-to-end-up-15000-recruits-short-this-year-b5e9de86). What is causing it and how should it be addressed?
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79V: Retention and Transition NCO (USAR)
79R: Recruiter
8411: Basic Recruiter





Posted 4 mo ago
Responses: 278
Posted 4 mo ago
1. 75% of males/kids are overweight and too fat/out of shape to join. 2. Thanks to Millennials- kids who were too active for their parents were put on drugs or sent to shrinks which require recruiting waivers. 3. A kid ( USAF Brat) posted that his culture as provided by his schools/peers has damaged/destroyed his Patriotism, that they have been taught "When you think of Pride, its the Rainbow Coalition, not America!" Modern parents and teachers have taught that if your feelings are hurt, go and hide in a safe place. Hell, Mass U is offering mental help because the Supreme Court vetoed Biden's Student Loan Payoff. All this makes it damn hard to find folks to recruit! Answer get our Country to start growing balls again and raise Adults, not "Snowflakes"!
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SPC Mike Tierney
3 mo
SGT John Overby - I probably would have been fine with Joe in my unit. Don Trump, no way would I want that self centered jerk anywhere near me in a combat situation.
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CSM Tim Bebus
14 d
MSG Ronald Williams I would say America has been on really good time since the 70s. I didn't mean any disrespect to anyone, hell I am part of the generation of easy times. And that's not to say there are folks who have had a rough go, but when the poorest kids are sporting 100 dollar plus Nike shoes and carrying around an IPhone I would call those pretty easy times.
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Edited 4 mo ago
Posted 4 mo ago
There are a lot of partisan / political talking points that can be made. But almost all of those are doomed to failure for that very reason. So, attempting to avoid those areas, here are a few things I think may make a difference.
1) I would go back to the ad campaigns of the 80s and early 90s. Or something similar. Quit trying to be so generic we don't offend anybody, or so specific we are only talking to a few.
Marines fighting lava monsters with a sword and Soldiers rapelling out of helicopters were just cool. There is an argument that they are "elitist" and may give kids the impression that they aren't good enough to sign up. But I think the more accurate argument is that kids KNOW they aren't that good - but those commercials encouraged them to sign up so they could BECOME that good.
2) I would also tighten up uniform rules and go back to class B being the "standard" duty uniform. Military members just look BETTER in service uniform, as compared to fatigues. And even just walking down the aisle of the grocery store or pumping gas at the gas station, those service uniforms are an advertisement all on their own.
3) Get recruiters back in to schools. All of them. HS and college. If the school gets even a dime from the federal government in ANY way, even subsidized lunches, wedge in there and get the recruiters talking to kids.
And I mean true engagement. Have the recruiter stop by in Freshman PE. Not even to recruit, but to help out. Maybe an official timer for a 1 mile run. Maybe a grader for some other PE event, or a referee for basketball. Maybe a different recruiter shows up in Civics/government class to talk about the Constitution. Get the recruiters in there being a part of their world. They don't even have to pitch their service, just help out the school and then have time to be available after class/during lunch/after school for anyone who wants to talk.
4) Re-look / re-assess admission standards. Especially regarding health history and mental health history. If an otherwise acceptable candidate is being disqualified for a mental health history, but that concern has been "cured" either through treatment or simply growing up (Yes, you can "age out" of ADHD), let the waivers flow. Same for medications that are no longer being taken, or even medications that are "routine" and can be easily stocked /supplied. (Not things like refrigerated insulin, or highly black marketable Adderall, but things like Welbutrin or guanfacine that are stocked in pretty much every pharmacy, are relatively resilient regarding temperatures, and pose little threat for re-sale if we have to send a Soldier out with a 180 day supply. This would obviously need a lot of medical scrutiny, but I think in today's logistical world, SOME of these meds should be waiverable.) Sure we may still need a waiver, and make the recruit (and recruiter) show that the previous concern is no longer an issue. But loosen the standard on the waivers and let them flow freely.
5a) re-look / re-assess what is a military job and what is not. Back in the early 2000s, we went through and eliminated a lot of "excess military manpower" tasks (mowing lawns, cleaning windows, etc.) to free up Soldiers to train, train, and train some more.
We still have things like post police and road guard, and I don't think these are going away. But do 90% of the military intelligence jobs at Fort Belvoir and Fort Meade need to be done by uniformed service members? What about logistics? Cooks on those "non-depoyable" bases?
I think we are unlikely to radically recover from the current shortages. Short of conscription, we should accept a lower end strength. If that is the case, what are the most critical needs, and let's build our units, MTOE, and TDA that way. Very little, if any, change to ECB. But at EAC I can see room for a lot of conversion.
5b) Those folks who want to join the military, but are unable to due to physical ability or prescriptions or family requirements may be able to move into those previously military roles. We can give them the same basic pay and benefits package, or close to it, but maybe without VA eligibility, as they are not actually military and do not face the same hazards, particularly combat hazards. (Yes, I know a small percentage of the military deploys to a combat zone - and an even smaller percentage actually engages in honest to goodness combat. And that percentage is dropping as we have closed out Iraq and Afghanistan, and the GWOT is down to a simmer. But all military members sign up for a POSSIBILITY of going to combat - and train for it.)
5 options and a corollary. All of them will take work and changes to policy. Most will require legislative action. But they are out there.
Ok.... there's my thoughts.... go ahead and rip 'em to shreds, peanut gallery.
1) I would go back to the ad campaigns of the 80s and early 90s. Or something similar. Quit trying to be so generic we don't offend anybody, or so specific we are only talking to a few.
Marines fighting lava monsters with a sword and Soldiers rapelling out of helicopters were just cool. There is an argument that they are "elitist" and may give kids the impression that they aren't good enough to sign up. But I think the more accurate argument is that kids KNOW they aren't that good - but those commercials encouraged them to sign up so they could BECOME that good.
2) I would also tighten up uniform rules and go back to class B being the "standard" duty uniform. Military members just look BETTER in service uniform, as compared to fatigues. And even just walking down the aisle of the grocery store or pumping gas at the gas station, those service uniforms are an advertisement all on their own.
3) Get recruiters back in to schools. All of them. HS and college. If the school gets even a dime from the federal government in ANY way, even subsidized lunches, wedge in there and get the recruiters talking to kids.
And I mean true engagement. Have the recruiter stop by in Freshman PE. Not even to recruit, but to help out. Maybe an official timer for a 1 mile run. Maybe a grader for some other PE event, or a referee for basketball. Maybe a different recruiter shows up in Civics/government class to talk about the Constitution. Get the recruiters in there being a part of their world. They don't even have to pitch their service, just help out the school and then have time to be available after class/during lunch/after school for anyone who wants to talk.
4) Re-look / re-assess admission standards. Especially regarding health history and mental health history. If an otherwise acceptable candidate is being disqualified for a mental health history, but that concern has been "cured" either through treatment or simply growing up (Yes, you can "age out" of ADHD), let the waivers flow. Same for medications that are no longer being taken, or even medications that are "routine" and can be easily stocked /supplied. (Not things like refrigerated insulin, or highly black marketable Adderall, but things like Welbutrin or guanfacine that are stocked in pretty much every pharmacy, are relatively resilient regarding temperatures, and pose little threat for re-sale if we have to send a Soldier out with a 180 day supply. This would obviously need a lot of medical scrutiny, but I think in today's logistical world, SOME of these meds should be waiverable.) Sure we may still need a waiver, and make the recruit (and recruiter) show that the previous concern is no longer an issue. But loosen the standard on the waivers and let them flow freely.
5a) re-look / re-assess what is a military job and what is not. Back in the early 2000s, we went through and eliminated a lot of "excess military manpower" tasks (mowing lawns, cleaning windows, etc.) to free up Soldiers to train, train, and train some more.
We still have things like post police and road guard, and I don't think these are going away. But do 90% of the military intelligence jobs at Fort Belvoir and Fort Meade need to be done by uniformed service members? What about logistics? Cooks on those "non-depoyable" bases?
I think we are unlikely to radically recover from the current shortages. Short of conscription, we should accept a lower end strength. If that is the case, what are the most critical needs, and let's build our units, MTOE, and TDA that way. Very little, if any, change to ECB. But at EAC I can see room for a lot of conversion.
5b) Those folks who want to join the military, but are unable to due to physical ability or prescriptions or family requirements may be able to move into those previously military roles. We can give them the same basic pay and benefits package, or close to it, but maybe without VA eligibility, as they are not actually military and do not face the same hazards, particularly combat hazards. (Yes, I know a small percentage of the military deploys to a combat zone - and an even smaller percentage actually engages in honest to goodness combat. And that percentage is dropping as we have closed out Iraq and Afghanistan, and the GWOT is down to a simmer. But all military members sign up for a POSSIBILITY of going to combat - and train for it.)
5 options and a corollary. All of them will take work and changes to policy. Most will require legislative action. But they are out there.
Ok.... there's my thoughts.... go ahead and rip 'em to shreds, peanut gallery.
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SGT John Overby
3 mo
SFC Casey O'Mally - No need to teach them military tactics of combat. We have enough police being killed by watching tactics in video games.
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CPT (Join to see)
3 mo
We could utilize the "fat bodies" in roles such as cooks, machinery operators, AG, Finance, etc., etc. Also NEVER forget that these folks might be the most talented drone pilots in the world! We might even be able to afford to supply them with snacks. ;-)
If they do a good job, leave them there. If they decide (as they mature) that they want more out of their career than this, provide them remedial instruction in PT and assistance in losing weight. The desire to be a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, coastguardsman, or "speci"-man, must come from inside. If they don't want it, we can't make them. We can however, use whatever talent they do have and make the military stronger.
If they do a good job, leave them there. If they decide (as they mature) that they want more out of their career than this, provide them remedial instruction in PT and assistance in losing weight. The desire to be a soldier, sailor, marine, airman, coastguardsman, or "speci"-man, must come from inside. If they don't want it, we can't make them. We can however, use whatever talent they do have and make the military stronger.
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CW3 Kenneth Henderson
1 mo
Let's solve the problem and get rid of the FAT. I served with pride in AG and saw the corps as a dumping ground for every malcontent, disciplinary problem, fat boy, drug addict, and more. Tough environment for those who joined to serve, and who consistently performed well. I performed well because I was raised that way and retired with honor.
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SPC (Join to see)
13 d
I think all are good points except #2. While "dressing up" certainly has its place for ceremonial purposes, I think the camouflaged uniform became the style of cool for the military since the early 2000s.
Let's be real. Kids are rebels. Kids do need structure, do need discipline, and do need to be shown what is right. But a suit isn't "cool" to Kids. Its authoritative. The projection of authority has its purpose, but I do not think it lies in recruiting.
The only appeal is that it looks professional to the civilian, but word of how much of a pain in the ass it is to maintain said uniform will get out and that can be a turn off. Plus, camouflaged uniforms, like the ACU, are something people would want to wear recreationally let alone for a real job. Switching to any version of the dress uniform for daily garrison life would also be highly unpopular with the lower, middle, and even some senior ranking members, although this seems to typically be seen more favorably by old timers, it is crucial to not forget about retention in the fervor for recruitment.
#4 is bolder and more immediate but I like it. Certain mental health diagnosis should be reconsidered. But anything that affects the rational mind, perceived sanity, or how one views themselves should remain a no-go. Otherwise we'll see a lot more service members committing suicide due to their inability to cope with the stress of military life. Resiliency is key, and this applies to those who are otherwise "mentally well", too, because the Army will give you mental health problems one way or another so it's best to recruit those with a strong foundation from the start.
Let's be real. Kids are rebels. Kids do need structure, do need discipline, and do need to be shown what is right. But a suit isn't "cool" to Kids. Its authoritative. The projection of authority has its purpose, but I do not think it lies in recruiting.
The only appeal is that it looks professional to the civilian, but word of how much of a pain in the ass it is to maintain said uniform will get out and that can be a turn off. Plus, camouflaged uniforms, like the ACU, are something people would want to wear recreationally let alone for a real job. Switching to any version of the dress uniform for daily garrison life would also be highly unpopular with the lower, middle, and even some senior ranking members, although this seems to typically be seen more favorably by old timers, it is crucial to not forget about retention in the fervor for recruitment.
#4 is bolder and more immediate but I like it. Certain mental health diagnosis should be reconsidered. But anything that affects the rational mind, perceived sanity, or how one views themselves should remain a no-go. Otherwise we'll see a lot more service members committing suicide due to their inability to cope with the stress of military life. Resiliency is key, and this applies to those who are otherwise "mentally well", too, because the Army will give you mental health problems one way or another so it's best to recruit those with a strong foundation from the start.
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Posted 4 mo ago
Get the woke stuff out, along with the politics. Get back to basics of warfighting
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CPT (Join to see)
3 mo
SPC Mike Tierney - Not exactly SPC. There are a lot of combat related MOS's. Didn't they teach you that there is no such thing as a "front line" (FEBA) anymore? If you are typing a report at brigade HQ and someone like me shows up in you tent, you better have some warfighting skills, or you will never see little Penny R*ttencr*otch again. You will also need to be able to evade capture, even if you are a typist. Of course since you didn't pay attention in class because "I'll never need this sh*t", your escape will require divine intervention.
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CPT (Join to see)
3 mo
SPC Mike Tierney - Usually you have to work with "special" kids to encounter someone at your level of credulity.
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SPC Mike Tierney
3 mo
CPT (Join to see) - Live with your imagination. I guess, as lifer, you know it all.
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