Strategic Recruiting: How to Man the Force of the Future
Abstract
There have been few military topics researched, studied and discussed more than recruiting for the armed forces. Current efforts confirm two seemingly contradictory factors. The first is that confidence and trust in the U.S. military by the American public - to include our youth - is extremely high and has continued to grow through the 1990s. Second, the ability of military recruiters to fill the ranks of the All-Volunteer Force (AVF) has continued to decline each year since 1993. The current enlistment shortfall is so great that it threatens our national security. Connecting the disconnect between the positive image the American people have about the U.S. military and their willingness to enlist in the armed forces of our country is the intent of this paper. Our efforts need to focus on expanding the target audience to include college-age men and women while identifying better ways to reach and attract this population. Historically, the military has addressed recruiting challenges by spending more money and increasing the number of recruiters. While such "fixes" address short-term problems, they fail to provide an approach to recruiting in a changing demographic and college-focused marketplace. A significant departure from historical practices is now needed to man the force of the future.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 27, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA380086
Entities
People
- Glenn Worthington
- Terry Kraft
- Walter Golden
Organizations
- United States Army War College