Difficulties in Selected Army Reserves Recruiting Under the All-Volunteer Force

Gao ID: FPCD-79-71 August 20, 1979

Recruiting of the Nation's selected Reserves has changed since the draft ended in 1972. A steady decline in the numbers of Selected Army Reserve and Army National Guard recruits is increasing the gap between reserve troop requirements and strength. The Army's recruiting plans have been directed at overcoming these shortages. In addition, there has been a decline in recruit quality and an increase in turnover rates.

The quality of non-prior-service recruits as defined by the Department of Defense (DOD) has also changed since the All-Volunteer Force replaced the draft. DOD has taken or is considering numerous actions to improve Selected Reserves recruiting such as increasing the number of full-time recruiters, increasing advertising funds, and introducing enlistment and reenlistment bonuses. In addition, there are several proposals and tests under way to attract new recruits and to reduce turnover. Many of the proposals and tests are directed towards the high quality male with no prior military service.

Recommendations

Our recommendations from this work are listed below with a Contact for more information. Status will change from "In process" to "Open," "Closed - implemented," or "Closed - not implemented" based on our follow up work.

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