According to the Secretary of the Army, the current period has proven to be the most challenging for the Army in terms of personnel recruiting since the end of the draft.
The United States Army anticipates reducing its total force strength over the next few years as a result of difficulties in recruiting new soldiers. These difficulties have already caused them to fall 10,000 soldiers short of their goal for this year.
Their difficulty in recruiting new workers is due to several factors, including the low unemployment rate as well as the coronavirus pandemic, which prevents them from having face-to-face contact with potential recruits at schools or fairs. Consequently, they have had a difficult time filling open positions.
During a hearing on Tuesday, Army Vice Chief of Staff General Joseph Martin told the House Armed Services Committee that “we face extraordinary obstacles in the post-COVID-19 environment and labor market, as well as competing with private firms that have changed their incentives over time.”
Christine Wormuth, the Secretary of Volunteers for the United States Army, confirmed this by stating that the organization is “facing our most difficult recruiting climate since the beginning of our all-volunteer service.”
