[naval] NYT: Army Increases Incentives for Some Who Enlist

[Alexandre Moraes de Castro e Silva]

Army Increases Incentives for Some Who Enlist



By DAVID STOUT

WASHINGTON -- Trying hard to fill its ranks in an era of prosperity and
relative peace, the United States Army is offering bigger enlistment bonuses
and shorter hitches for some recruits.

The inducements vary widely, and the Army's Web site encourages prospective
soldiers to contact recruiters for more details. But even a cursory visit to
the site is apt to be startling for middle-aged veterans who recall a
somewhat less hospitable Army.

Sign-up bonuses up to $20,000 await some enlistees qualified for the
specialities most in demand, like intelligence posts. Moreover, for the
first time qualified recruits will not have to choose between a sign-up
bonus and money for college. Some who qualify for the $20,000 bonus may also
be eligible for up to $50,000 in college aid later.

Enlistees who score high enough on their military-aptitude tests can sign up
for two years, instead of the traditional three, and receive up to $26,500
for college or vocational training.

The new bonuses are not a surprise in view of the military's difficulties in
finding and keeping people. There has been no draft since 1973, and with a
booming civilian economy there has been little incentive for many young
people to join up.

For the fiscal year that ended on Sept. 30, the Army fell short of its
recruiting goal for the second straight year, recruiting about 7,000 fewer
men and women than the 74,500 it said it needed. For the current fiscal
year, the Army needs to recruit about 80,000 people to stay at its
Congressionally mandated level.

The Air Force and Navy have also had trouble keeping up their strengths,
although less than the Army. But their Web sites make it clear that they,
too, recognize the need to project themselves as friendly and full of
opportunities. (The Marine Corps, the smallest of the services, continues
its spartan approach: "The few, the proud.")

The Army bonus offers include $4,000 for enlistees who sign up for three or
more years and report for active duty no later than Dec. 27. Recruits with
some college training can get $4,000 to $8,000. Enlistees who choose
airborne training will get a $3,000 bonus, which can be combined with some
other bonuses.




==============================================
Lista naval
Para sair desta lista mande mensagem para:
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
sem nada no Subject
e com o comando a seguir no corpo da msg:
"unsubscribe naval" (sem aspas)
==============================================