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The Pentagon multiplies initiatives to attract young people
Permission to have visible tattoos. A substantial increase in bonuses paid on enrolment. New chances given to unsuccessful candidates – often more than once – in the past.
PHOTO GORDON WELTERS, THE NEW YORK TIMES ARCHIVES
The US military is struggling to attract fresh forces: the Pentagon expects a deficit of 12,000 to 15,000 recruits this year alone.
For some time now, the United States Armed Forces (FAA) have been piling up such initiatives in the hope of stemming major recruiting problems. Moreover, this year, management already recognizes that the quotas set will not be reached.
“I believe that in this fiscal year our shortfall will be between 12,000 and 15,000 recruits,” said Christine Wormuth, Secretary of the United States Army, in an interview aired Aug. 11 on NBC. News.
In the United States Army, the fiscal year ends on September 30. As of the interview with M.me Wormuth, the institution had achieved 52% of its recruitment targets.
PHOTO MICHAEL PROBST, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
Only 9% of young Americans of military age plan to do so, according to a survey conducted last year by the Department of Defense.
A fall 2021 survey conducted by the Department of Defense indicated that only 9% of young people of service age were considering doing so.
The causes
Several causes explain this low enthusiasm: pandemic, very low unemployment rate, cases of sexual assault, impact of the American military presence in Iraq and Afghanistan on the collective unconscious, etc.
But one of the reasons leaves you speechless. The number of candidates whose profile corresponds to the minimum requirements of the army is very low.
Thus, only 23% of candidates aged 17 to 23 meet the physical, mental and moral qualities required.
Many applicants are disqualified due to weight issues, drug issues, or having a criminal record.
A few years ago, this qualification rate was 29%.
To give a new chance to candidates who have failed in the past, the FAA have set up remedial programs (types of prep schools) where everything is taught: arithmetic, grammar, nutrition, hygiene, etc. Those who successfully complete the program are then invited to begin basic training.
Another brake, the pandemic of the last two years has undermined recruitment efforts. Recruiters were unable to meet young people in schools, fairs and other public places.
PHOTO MICHAL DYJUK, ASSOCIATED PRESS ARCHIVES
An American soldier trained aboard the USS Kearsarge in the Baltic Sea on September 2
According to Christian Leuprecht, a professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and at Queen’s University in Kingston, these recruitment deficiencies constitute a “certain reality that affects all the armed forces” that he knows.
And that leads to another problem, that of training. During the pandemic, we weren’t able to train people as we traditionally do. This resulted in a mismatch between those entering the organization and those with adequate training.
Christian Leuprecht, Professor at the Royal Military College of Canada and Queen’s University
“This has significant implications for land protection objectives, mission success and public expectations,” he continues.
The solutions
In order to contain and reverse the situation, the American army is exploring a wide spectrum of solutions. There is everything. Including a call for military… youtubers.
Recruitment in high school hallways and at supermarket entrances archaic, newspaper article says Air Force Times in which several youtubers with thousands of subscribers give their opinion.
“We tell the real business. At least, as far as our personal experience is concerned, notes airwoman first class and mental health technician Dominga Harris. People appreciate our candor about what we do…or don’t, without glossing over what happens inside the ranks. »
Some youtubers create tutorials. Many respond to many e-mails from candidates curious to know more.
In the naval forces, we try to attract recruits with money. A lot of money. A recent article from Navy Times says enlistment incentives include signing bonuses of up to $50,000 and student loan repayment of up to $65,000. The two measures can be combined.
Navy veterans are also offered significant bonuses.
PHOTO DELIL SOULEIMAN, AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE ARCHIVES
Joint military exercise of US forces in northeast Syria
Veterans to the rescue?
For Matthew F. Amidon, colonel of the Marine Reserve and director of the veterans and military families section of the George W. Bush Institute, part of the solution lies in the influence of veterans.
“There are 18.8 million veterans in this country and almost 80% are very proud of what they have accomplished in uniform. Many are business and organizational leaders. We must therefore ensure that we better anchor the relationships between those who have served and those who want to serve,” he says.
Colonel Amidon, a native of Vermont, also believes that it is time to rethink the criteria for selecting candidates.
“When you look at tomorrow’s combat domains, like cyber warfare, do you really need people who will all meet the traditional physical requirements to be successful? We need to have this conversation. »
Sexual harassment cases jump in four years
Over the past year, the number of reported cases of sexual harassment in the US military has jumped 13%, the Associated Press recently reported. This increase is explained in particular by a lifting of the restrictions on gatherings in the bases, imposed during the pandemic. But that doesn’t explain everything. As proof, the number of cases of unsolicited sexual contact has practically doubled in four years in the ranks of the American army. They have gone from nearly 20,000 in 2018 to 36,000 in 2022. These figures were obtained during confidential surveys carried out among the military. It is within the army that the problems are the most glaring. “At the size of the military, cases of sexual misconduct will continue to occur,” said Kyleanne M. Hunter, a former Marine helicopter pilot and political scientist at the Rand Corporation. But it’s how we prevent and deal with these cases that will have an impact. » Mme Hunter cites the example of the Independent Commission on Sexual Harassment which recommended reform of the military justice system. “And it started with the creation of an office of defense attorneys dedicated to the causes of harassment, notes Mme Hunter. We must also link advancement and promotions in the hierarchy to a culture that prevents sexual misconduct. »
Andre Duchesne, The Presswith the Associated Press
Personnel active in the Army
2010: 561,979*
2011: 561,437
2012: 546,057
2013: 528,070
2014: 504,330
2015: 487,366
2016: 471,271
2017: 472,047
2018: 471,990
2019: 479,785
2020: 481,264
As of June 30, 2021: 486,141
As of June 30, 2022: 465,239
* Highest figure since 1995
Sources: Statista.com and 247wallst.com
103%
There is at least one good news surrounding recruiting in the US military: the retention rate. For the current year, it has reached 103% of the target set by the Ministry of Defence.
Source: US Army public affairs
In Canada too, recruitment is difficult
As in the United States, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) also have difficulty recruiting new candidates and struggle to meet their annual objectives.
PHOTO OLIVIER JEAN, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Faced with the threat of flooding, Canadian soldiers erect a wall of sandbags on the banks of the Rivière des Prairies, in Laval, in 2019.
“For the 2022-2023 fiscal year, the CAF has planned to recruit 5,900 new members. However, each month, they only receive half the number of candidates necessary to achieve this objective, ”says Lieutenant Geneviève Paris, public affairs officer.
Published on December 2, 2021, a survey of The Press indicated that the shortage of manpower and the renewal of the troops made “utopian” the objective of having 25.1% of women in the ranks of the Forces in 2026.
PHOTO MARTIN TREMBLAY, PRESS ARCHIVES
The army hoped to have 25.1% women in its ranks by 2026, but the goal should not be reached if the trend continues.
According to Lt. Paris, “long-standing efforts have increased the percentage of women to 16.5% of all CAF members.” But there is still work to be done, she admits.
Among members of visible minorities and Aboriginal peoples, the objectives seem to be being achieved. The Canadian Army has set representation targets of 11.8% and 3.5% for these two groups. Currently, they make up 10.8% and 2.8% of active members respectively.
In addition, the CAF recruits from about a hundred professional groups from all walks of life: naval technicians, medical specialists, naval communication specialists, information systems, etc.
In many, a recruitment allowance is paid upon signing. In most cases, it fluctuates between $10,000 and $20,000.
As elsewhere, the pandemic, low unemployment, instances of sexual misconduct (including among high-ranking officers) and other factors are hampering recruiting efforts. Faced with this, the CAF persists in the hope of improving its image in the public eye and reversing the trend.
“The goal is to foster a positive, respectful and inclusive work environment,” says Lt. Paris. To support Canadians at home and abroad, the CAF has a duty to reflect the diversity and inclusiveness of Canadian society. There’s no better time than now to enlist. »
A downward trend
Members of the regular force of the Canadian army for 12 years
2010-2011: 68,268 soldiers
2011-2012: 67,941 soldiers
2012-2013: 67,792 soldiers
2013-2014: 67,173 soldiers
2014-2015: 66,429 soldiers
2015-2016: 66,602 soldiers
2016-2017: 66,377 soldiers
2017-2018: 67,299 soldiers
2018-2019: 67,580 soldiers
2019-2020: 67,756 soldiers
2020-2021: 65,642 soldiers
2021-2022: 65,032 soldiers
Source: Canadian Armed Forces
97,625
As of spring 2021, a grand total of 97,625 people are serving in the Canadian Armed Forces, either in the regular army or in the reserve force.
Source: Statistics Canada (2021 census)