These efforts, as recommended by Fort Richardson, should be an ongoing project by all installation retiree councils. It is suggested, that if Fort Richardson has an ongoing program to support recruiting, they should pass that information to other retiree councils that could be used as a model. If Fort Richardson so desires, they can forward information on their program to the CSA Retiree Council and the CSA Retiree Council will review, and endorse it before forwarding to all installation retiree councils. The Services are presently experiencing difficulty with soldier recruitment and retention. Besides recruiting offices, there are few places where young people who are considering military service can obtain information about real-life experiences in the Army.
Retirees are a potentially valuable source of good speakers.
They have the experience and wisdom about service life, and they know from experience the great value of a military career and about retirement benefits. Retirees often share their military experiences through casual conversation with young people in their communities. An effort should be made to establish retirees as speakers in an organized team, for recruitment purposes. Qualified speakers who served many years in the Armed Forces are able to provide this information, as well as relate their experience about military life that young people seldom hear these days. The opportunity for a young man or woman of high school or college age to hear a veteran retiree speak and to be able to ask pointed questions about choosing the Army as a career choice would be very beneficial in the recruitment effort.