Transforming from a Service-Centric to a Joint Recruiting Environment
Abstract
This paper evaluates the current recruiting environment among all of the services within the Department of Defense (DoD). During the past 10 years, DoD has successfully transformed the military and rewritten several doctrinal manuals as the military continues combating terrorism. Service members understand the philosophy of thinking and fighting in a joint environment; however, that is not the case in recruiting. When service members are assigned to recruiting duty, all services revert back to the pre-Goldwater-Nichols Act days and become service-centric with a narrow vision. Why does DoD recruit with a service-centric mindset? Why does DoD have separate headquarters to command and control each recruiting service? Why do the services try to outperform each other in the form of advertisement through commercials? Why does DoD inundate high schools, colleges, malls, fairs, and sporting events with up to six different service recruiters? The answer is simple; military recruiting is not a joint operation. This paper will conclude with several enabling actions to support a smooth transition from a service-centric recruiting environment to a fully joint recruiting environment.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 09, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA560297
Entities
People
- Samuel E. Williams
Organizations
- United States Army War College