Retention and Recruitment Crisis

[GOTWA]

I get it, but money always incentivises. People will eat shit for decent pay and job security.

There comes a point where black mold in the barracks, no food in the chow hall, shitty leadership, and no money for training will absolutely overcome pay increases.

 

[Topkick]

There comes a point where black mold in the barracks, no food in the chow hall, shitty leadership, and no money for training will absolutely overcome pay increases.

This is true when, even with pay increases, the pay is still shit.

Survey results recently showed over 40% of reenlisted soldiers report that pay and benefits, as well as retirement pay and benefits are the main reason they stay in. That's not insignificant. I think your right though in part, as I'm guessing single soldiers living in the barracks and eating in chow halls have always been the most likely to leave after their first enlistment. A little pay raise isn't going to keep them if there's no food, shitty barracks, etc.

 

[Devildoc]

Well, the data are clear: people don't leave because of pay, people leave because of bosses, culture, or environment. That's true even in the military. But a 14% raise is no joke, That's almost a $300/month increase. Even so that bring E1 to about $27,600/year; or, about $14/hour. That's horrible. Of course the knife that cuts both ways says "but you don't pay medical, your uniforms are no-cost, you get 30 days of leave, and you don't pay for housing/food, and bennies can be adjusted for location." That ain't nothing, either.

A pay raise is essential for sure as are signing bonuses, but none if it will matter if people are leaving after first enlistment because of food or barracks issues, poor leadership, or their family isn't being taken care of.

 

[AWP]

And the pay is up to E-4, meaning most soldiers will hit E-5 before their first enlistment is up, see the pay disparity, and leave anyway.

The pay increase had to happen, but this isn't the solution regardless of what leadership thinks.

 

[Topkick]

but none if it will matter if people are leaving after first enlistment because of food or barracks issues, poor leadership, or their family isn't being taken care of.

Some of which can be addressed with better pay and benefits. People will tolerate a lot more for a price. This is not to say that other issues do not need attention. I just disagree that pay increases won't improve retention and recruitment.

 

[Box]

There comes a point where black mold in the barracks, no food in the chow hall, shitty leadership, and no money for training will absolutely overcome pay increases.

Just you wait until they try and put a band aid on the problem by recalling folks to active duty to fill mission critical duty positions - JUST TO MAINTAIN SOME ODD RESEMBLANCE TO WHAT WE ALL USED TO REFER TO AS "READINESS"
...mark my words - its coming.

Thee asshole are going to keep irritating the world stage to do a war - and the same poor sous that got out of the military because they were tired of getting butt fucked by shitty leaders...
BAM
...they're going to get butt fucked AGAIN by getting recalled to active duty
...by the same generation of shitty leaders that butt fucked them in the first place

So you ask, "whose fault is it?"
Well, its the fault f these shit bag Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen (and AirWomyn) that got out because all they think about is themselves
It HAS to be their fault
otherwise it would be thee fault of our current crop of senior leaders