The services have hired hundreds of new recruiters to man storefront offices in cities across America. Sergeant Clifton Magwood has been worked in a northeast Washington, DC office since 1991. He offered an explanation for the drop in new enlistees. Yes, recruitment is down right now. The economy is doing pretty well.
People have a lot of other opportunities.
But at the same time, the Army is still presenting a lot of great opportunities, educational benefits, and training, to keep pace with today's modernization. A 4.8 percent pay raise for all 1.4 million military personnel on active duty. That was more than the president had requested. Proponents, including Majority Leader Trent Lott, said it, too, would help boost recruitment. If we do not raise the pay for our military men and women, they will not come to the military.