Retention and Recruitment Crisis

[Viper1]

Spitballing and not sure what data you have or can provide.

- What is prompting a surge in recruiting? We hear about the new Admin, focus on warfighting, anti-DEI and whatnot, but what is the actual story or are the talking points valid?
- Historically, Southerners have provided a majority of enlistees. Is this still true?
- Are you or your recruiters receiving feedback from your recruits once they complete training? If so, what are some of their observations?
- Is a dedicated recruiting MOS providing benefits over the old system and how effective are they?
- Currently, what are the top 3 disqualifiers for enlistment and do you know how that's trended or changed over the last 2 decades?

1. The post election surge is usual, especially after Presidential elections. Nothing new with it tbh. Since Army has continued to meet mission early, we also assess it is due to a desire for economic security. The third reason is four + years since COVID and our focus back on recruiting in high schools.
2. Generally the south is predisposed to serve but that is due to the large number of military bases there. We also see most of recruits from the west coast (especially California) and Great Basin, as well as NYC. NYC and LA are moneymakers for Army and Army Reserve.
3. Yes, every recruiter has told me a story of their recruits texting or calling them after basic training and telling them they’ve graduated. This continues once they get through AIT and first unit. The training is good and they feel proud to be soldiers. (We’ve had to surge drill sergeants and stand up basic training companies at a rapid pace the last three years)
4. The dedicated MOS is great and offers soldiers a new way to serve. The department of army select recruiters are greasy because they want to succeed and get back to operational force. It’s a good mix. Bottom line: the recruiting MOS is VITAL because you absolutely cannot have a novice or beginner running recruiting operations in a 3-shop or as a 1SG or CSM. The recruiting school is adding some additional leadership training to help fill gaps.
5. It is harder to join the Army now than it was ten years ago and 20 years ago. Top three disqualifying things are for felony crime, major medical issues (which all make sense) and a poor ASVAB score (below 30). There is a waiver for just about everything else.

 

[Viper1]

All of the above is backed by hard data which is tracked from the station to the USAREC level. It’s refreshing to work a role where the feedback and deliverables are known and seen daily.

 

[Viper1]

TLDR
1) this is normal. The enlistees are 18-24 and don’t care about the “talking points.”
2) it’s more balanced now
3) Recruits are proud of their recruiters and their drill sergeants
4) dedicated recruiting MOS is a must-keep
5) felony crime, medical, low ASVAB.

 

[AWP]

@Viper1 thank you for the insight. That was awesome. Because I'm an information junkie and someone might find this useful one day.

- Does USAREC receive any heads up about changes rumored or coming to OSUT/ AIT curriculum? Length, subjects added or dropped? What's the lead time look lie from "hey, this is changing" to "We're doing x, y, and z now"? I'm guessing yes, yes, and months.
- What MOS' are being reviewed for changes or have changes coming? I only ask for broad terms, I'd never ask for classified stuff for quite obvious reasons. As a nerd I'm always curious to see what new technology or "gadgets" are being taught to various MOS' given the increasing technical nature of the world at large which has to filter down to even the most resistant organizations.
- With a dedicated MOS now, what's a typical PCS cycle look like for a recruiter or even an overall career path? Do they eventually go to or have the opportunity to recruit for SOF organizations or is SOF recruitment handled by SOF veterans?
- Is there a form of selection assessment that occurs when someone wants to enlist or crosstrain as a recruiter? Admin aptitude, personality, "salesmanship", etc.

That's a lot of questions, but I think everyone sees the method behind the madness.

 

[Cookie_]

Do they eventually go to or have the opportunity to recruit for SOF organizations or is SOF recruitment handled by SOF veterans?

We have a dedicated SOF recruiter for our BN; I know a few other states have a similar thing. He's hadn't been with SOF before this assignment IIRC. When he first started the role he used to give my number out to people interested in support jobs (especially cooks) so I could answer questions about the unit culture/expectations.

 

[Devildoc]

@Viper1 , thanks for the run-down. Question from the audience: regarding point number two, is there an area that is harder to recruit from or harder to meet quota?

 

[Viper1]

To answer an earlier question: future soldier prep course is a great success, especially for folks that need to lose weight to continue training. The first two commanders were LTC Kent Solheim and LTC Ken Dwyer, both SF. Look them up.

If amputees can crush it, so can our young people.

 

[Viper1]

@Viper1 , thanks for the run-down. Question from the audience: regarding point number two, is there an area that is harder to recruit from or harder to meet quota?

Right now, it’s actually mid-west and Great Plains of USA. Limited military bases and the National Guard is our largest rival.

 

[Devildoc]

Right now, it’s actually mid-west and Great Plains of USA. Limited military bases and the National Guard is our largest rival.

Thanks.

I have a question re: your first point. Up front, I am not arguing, just seeking clarification. With a few years of below-projection enlistment under Biden, the assessment is that the surge in recruitment is not 'political' but rather 'economic'? Just wanting to make sure I am tracking. This is great info; I'd love to see what your counterparts in other services would say to the same questions.

Do y'all share info?

 

[Cookie_]

Thanks.

I have a question re: your first point. Up front, I am not arguing, just seeking clarification. With a few years of below-projection enlistment under Biden, the assessment is that the surge in recruitment is not 'political' but rather 'economic'? Just wanting to make sure I am tracking. This is great info; I'd love to see what your counterparts in other services would say to the same questions.

Do y'all share info?

I stumbled upon a interesting article that came out today, discussing a worldwide increase in younger recruits.

Why being a soldier is cool again in the West - Asia Times

 

[Marauder06]

To answer an earlier question: future soldier prep course is a great success, especially for folks that need to lose weight to continue training. The first two commanders were LTC Kent Solheim and LTC Ken Dwyer, both SF. Look them up.

If amputees can crush it, so can our young people.

I know Kent. We were instructors together at West Point. Good guy.

 

[Viper1]

@Viper1 thank you for the insight. That was awesome. Because I'm an information junkie and someone might find this useful one day.

- Does USAREC receive any heads up about changes rumored or coming to OSUT/ AIT curriculum? Length, subjects added or dropped? What's the lead time look lie from "hey, this is changing" to "We're doing x, y, and z now"? I'm guessing yes, yes, and months.
- What MOS' are being reviewed for changes or have changes coming? I only ask for broad terms, I'd never ask for classified stuff for quite obvious reasons. As a nerd I'm always curious to see what new technology or "gadgets" are being taught to various MOS' given the increasing technical nature of the world at large which has to filter down to even the most resistant organizations.
- With a dedicated MOS now, what's a typical PCS cycle look like for a recruiter or even an overall career path? Do they eventually go to or have the opportunity to recruit for SOF organizations or is SOF recruitment handled by SOF veterans?
- Is there a form of selection assessment that occurs when someone wants to enlist or crosstrain as a recruiter? Admin aptitude, personality, "salesmanship", etc.

That's a lot of questions, but I think everyone sees the method behind the madness.

1. They do receive updates. Best part- US Army Recruiting Command will remain a three star HQ with charge of: 1) Army Enterprise Marketing Office, 2) Recruiting Division 3) Cadet Command and 4) Initial military training. Our CG will now be able to align all of our culture and objectives. This is a good thing.
2) We need ADA, FA, 11-series, 18 series, and ADA maintainers. Those are the focus MOS
3) I’ll cover in a separate post
4) yes, DA select recruiters must pass multiple tests and interviews with CSM at BN Level in order to become a 79R Recrutiers

 

[Marauder06]

Hey brother, a couple of recruiting-related questions for you, I'm putting it hear instead of picking up the phone to call you direct so that the response can benefit the whole site and not just me.

1) Direct commission/OCS: I know a high-achieving individual who just graduated from a top US school. He is contemplating joining the service, and has been working towards it for a long time. AFAIK he meets all the requirements. What would you recommend as the path for him to become an officer? I'm assuming enlisting with an OCS contract? Also, how much influence will he have over branch choice; can he enlist for a specific branch, or does everyone compete for branches in OCS? Is direct commissioning as say an intel officer an option? Last thing, do you think you might be willing to do a short call with this individual to discuss potentail options with him, or maybe refer him to someone else? He's looking to do Guard or Reserves.

2) ROTC in grad school. Do you know anything about that, or should I reach out to maybe a PMS?

@Viper1

 

[Devildoc]

Hey brother, a couple of recruiting-related questions for you, I'm putting it hear instead of picking up the phone to call you direct so that the response can benefit the whole site and not just me.

1) Direct commission/OCS: I know a high-achieving individual who just graduated from a top US school. He is contemplating joining the service, and has been working towards it for a long time. AFAIK he meets all the requirements. What would you recommend as the path for him to become an officer? I'm assuming enlisting with an OCS contract? Also, how much influence will he have over branch choice; can he enlist for a specific branch, or does everyone compete for branches in OCS? Is direct commissioning as say an intel officer an option? Last thing, do you think you might be willing to do a short call with this individual to discuss potentail options with him, or maybe refer him to someone else? He's looking to do Guard or Reserves.

2) ROTC in grad school. Do you know anything about that, or should I reach out to maybe a PMS?

@Viper1

First of all I love the flex: "...instead of picking up the phone and calling you direct." Of course I am kidding.

Second, the army has an enlisted-to-OCS contract?

Third, I will be interested to hear about direct commission into non-medical/chaplain/JAG fields as in my day those were the only direct commission except for the reserves, in which there were several fields (intel, CEC/sea bees, supply, a couple others). I am curious to see if the army is similar.

 

[AWP]

Second, the army has an enlisted-to-OCS contract?

Unless something changed, once you're selected for OCS you go through Basic Training (but not AIT) before reporting to OCS. If you're already in the Army and accepted for OCS you do not repeat Basic.

ETA: It looks like that's still true. Scroll to the FAQ at the bottom.
Officer Candidate School

 

[Cookie_]

Second, the army has an enlisted-to-OCS contract?

I think he's using enlisting in the colloquial sense.

That said, we do technically have an enlisted to officer contract option with the Simultaneous Member Program available to ROTC cadets looking to join the Guard or Reserves.

They'll be a contracted cadet who goes to basic/AIT before finishing ROTC. They then drill with their unit for about 2 years, getting paid as an E5. Great way to learn the military before going to BOLC.
I've only seen it happen once, but if you fail out of the ROTC program you get converted to E4 and serve out the rest of your contract.

 

[Devildoc]

Unless something changed, once you're selected for OCS you go through Basic Training (but not AIT) before reporting to OCS. If you're already in the Army and accepted for OCS you do not repeat Basic.

ETA: It looks like that's still true. Scroll to the FAQ at the bottom.
Officer Candidate School

Wow. Had no idea about having to go to basic training before OCS.

 

[AWP]

fail out of the ROTC program you get converted to E4 and serve out the rest of your contract.

If you fail out of ROTC you should fill your pockets with rocks and walk into the surf zone.

I think my Guard OCS class failed one guy out of the 31 who dropped. Most were VW's and a few were medical. I have yet to meet an Army or AF ROTC grad who thought the program was difficult or stressful. Guard OCS is just hazing, calling it a "school" is laughable. The AD OCS is different.

 

[Devildoc]

I think he's using enlisting in the colloquial sense.

That said, we do technically have an enlisted to officer contract option with the Simultaneous Member Program available to ROTC cadets looking to join the Guard or Reserves.

They'll be a contracted cadet who goes to basic/AIT before finishing ROTC. They then drill with their unit for about 2 years, getting paid as an E5. Great way to learn the military before going to BOLC.
I've only seen it happen once, but if you fail out of the ROTC program you get converted to E4 and serve out the rest of your contract.

Colloquial use, that makes sense.

I know ROTC and Guard have some weird rules about active/guard structure. What percentage of ROTC go guard/reserve and not AD? Just curious, not really germaine.

 

[Devildoc]

If you fail out of ROTC you should fill your pockets with rocks and walk into the surf zone.

I think my Guard OCS class failed one guy out of the 31 who dropped. Most were VW's and a few were medical. I have yet to meet an Army or AF ROTC grad who thought the program was difficult or stressful. Guard OCS is just hazing, calling it a "school" is laughable. The AD OCS is different.

The concept of more than one OCS--NG and for AD--is just weird to me. I have heard a guard guy say it was easy, and another it was hard. I imagine the truth is in the middle.

Navy OCS is no joke unless you are a Mustang. The first 3-4 weeks are straight-up boot camp. A lot of folks go in thinking "it's the navy, how hard can it be?" Once upon a time there were two OCS schools, one in Rhode Island, and one aviation-centric at Pensacola. Now it's all in Rhode Island all standard curriculum. DCO school used to be combined with LDO/WO school, 2 weeks long which has become 4 weeks.

The reserve has merged with the AD school for DCO, but now there is a separate 4-week school for LDO/WO. Again in RI.

My DCO school was a 3-week program in Pensacola that led to the reserve/AD 4-week school it is now in RI. Since I was a Mustang I didn't think it was too hard but the first week was essentially boot camp.

I believe the BRAC is what shut down OCS/DCO in Pensacola. Anyhoo, just reminiscing.