Posted on 03/04/2009 3:52:37 PM PST by SandRat
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2009 The Army National Guard is over strength and the Air National Guard has met its target end strength for the first time since 2002, the directors told Congress yesterday.
But recruiting and retention success, combined with budget cuts, mean some programs that have improved recruitment are being reduced. For example, many bonuses are being cut. I just hope we dont let the air completely out of the tires on recruiting and retention, Vaughn told the lawmakers. I would ask that you watch that very closely. Vaughn and Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III, director of the Air National Guard, testified before the military personnel subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee at a hearing on recruiting, retention and end strength. Airmen and their families need to remain the Air Guards top focus, Wyatt said. Were in a position for the first time to shape our force in a way it hasnt been in years, Vaughn said. Were all about readiness. The Air National Guard currently has 106,700 members; the Army Guard has 366,500. Vaughn said Army Guard recruiting and retention could improve further by reducing cross-leveling, in which soldiers are brought in from outside units to boost the numbers in deploying units, by cutting the time it takes from swearing in a recruit to having the recruit fully trained, and by further improving the predictability of deployments. |
Biographies: Army Lt. Gen. Clyde A. Vaughn Air Force Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt III Related Sites: |
Many of my Soldiers re-enlisted for six years and received $15,000 bonus and that's mostly gone now.
True that many would do it just because they love it but we are deploying for the second time in 3 years so I will be interested to watch and learn
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