Army Continues with Recruitment Struggles.

The Army is struggling to recruit new Soldiers and retain current Soldiers. It has a lot to do with many factors. First, we are not in wartime. There are no breaking news terrorism threatening our American way of life so Americans aren’t feeling the patriotic spirit to join the fighting force.

Of course a lot of men and women felt the desire to serve and defend their country after the 9/11 attacks, but it only took a decade for Soldiers and civilians who paid attention to the conflict to start to realize that their time was being wasted in Iraq and Afghanistan. Operation Iraqi Freedom was a war that could not be won. A lot of people lost family, friends, and limbs for exactly what?

Now many people question the government’s decision-making process and the overall effectiveness of such prolonged conflicts. This skepticism has led to a decline in public support for military actions, which, in turn, has made it more difficult for the Army to attract new recruits.

The implementation of the new Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) has raised concerns within the ranks. While the intention behind the ACFT was to ensure soldiers’ physical readiness and resilience, there has been a noticeable increase in injuries during training and testing.

Another critical factor impacting recruitment and retention is the struggle to keep military pay competitive with civilian salaries and the rising cost of living. I had a college degree when I joined the Army so I came in as a Specialist. And I was single for three years when I entered the Army, living in barracks rent free and eating at a Defac cost free. So, the Army was pretty good pay for me and it was my first career so it was the most money I’ve seen.

While serving in the military offers numerous benefits and opportunities for personal growth, financial considerations play a significant role in a person’s decision to join or remain in the Army. If the military pay fails to keep up with the increasing civilian salaries and the cost of living, it becomes more challenging to attract and retain civilians who may opt for better financial prospects in the civilian sector.

To address these challenges, the Army needs to take several steps. First and foremost, there should be a concerted effort to rebuild public trust in the government’s decision-making processes and demonstrate the military’s commitment to responsible use of force. Engaging in transparent discussions, providing accurate information, and highlighting the positive contributions of the military can help rebuild public confidence.

There was an article published on Armytimes.com about the Army going back to the APFT while the government conducts more research on the ACFT. Here is your conclusion on the ACFT, count it as a lose and forget about it. You tried it, it failed, let it go. Is the APFT beneficial for Soldiers? Absolutely not. You don’t built strength by doing as many pushups and sit-ups as fast as you can. The two mile run is beneficial for endurance on the battlefield, but combat is not designed for long distant sprints. If you ever find yourself running more than a few feet from cover to cover then something has gone wrong or is about to go wrong.

By rebuilding public trust, addressing concerns about the ACFT, and improving military compensation, the Army can enhance its recruitment and retention efforts, ensuring a capable and dedicated force for the future.