2022 Military Recruitment Crisis: A Historical Comparison To Identify Immediate Solutions and Strategic Initiatives
Abstract
The military is facing the most challenging recruitment environment since the inception of the All-Volunteer Force in 1973. Considering the steady decline qualified applicants and the historically low propensity of young people to enlist today, the traditional recruitment levers may not be enough to overcome the current military recruitment crisis. This research presents a historical analysis to determine intersecting considerations, challenges, and recovery strategies of the three periods (1979-1980, 2005-2006, 2022-2023) to identify considerations to meet future manpower shortages during similarly difficult periods through the lens of four major categories: economic factors, educational factors, recruiting resources, and societal issues and views. The analysis indicates that several transactional policies and initiatives that were successful in the early 1980s and mid 2000s could once again be utilized to combat the current DOD recruiting crisis. Meanwhile, the research and discussion introduces transformational strategic solutions and potential organizational reforms meant to shape accessions and avoid these cyclical downturns in the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 14, 2023
- Accession Number
- AD1200767
Entities
People
- Timothy D. Rustad
Organizations
- National Defense University