Recruiting Strategies to Support the Armys All-Volunteer Force

The all-volunteer Army has been in existence for more than 40 years. It has repeatedly proven its success by fielding an extraordinarily effective force. Its success, however, hinges on its ability to meet its recruiting requirements. The U.S. Armys ability to recruit the young people itneeds, in turn, depends on the effectiveness of its recruiting resources and policies. Additionally, getting the best return on its investment requires an adroit balancing of these resources and policies. Until recently, Army recruiting programs cost about 1.5 billion annually.In recent years, Army recruiting programs have been cut significantly. Given planned reductions in Army end strength, pressures on government budgets, and public opinion concerning defense spending, funding levels are not likely to be restored in the foreseeable future. This situation increases the importance of questions concerning the level of spending actually required, how programs can be made more efficient, the optimal mix of recruiting resources and policies, and how the Army can best prepare for future contingencies.