Army fixes recruiting issues with additional training for recruiters

'We Are Going to Fall Short': Army Will Miss Its Recruiting Goal This Year https://t.co/9HIl3lKkHC

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As part of the Army’s new initiatives, the first step was to provide retraining for the master trainers, who are noncommissioned officers responsible for coordinating training at the battalion level. They were tasked with identifying any training deficiencies and developing a customized battalion training plan. Additionally, they conducted primary training for policy, doctrine, and new information management systems.

The Army is currently engaged in a 10-week process of retraining all of its 150 to 200 master trainers and recruiting commanders. The changes in the training process also extend to the curriculum for new recruiters, who previously went through a six-week course at Fort Knox. As per Major General Johnny Davis, two additional weeks have been added to the course, with a focus on sales skills and a dedicated “people week” for future recruiters and their families.

During this week, the families of new recruiters are educated about government housing programs and provided with assistance in selecting their preferred location for their new assignment. The aim is to give recruiters more say in their assignments, which will help them connect better with potential recruits, while also increasing their job satisfaction and effectiveness.

The US Army is implementing new initiatives to improve its ability to recruit soldiers, following a shortfall of 15,000 recruits in 2022 and a projected shortfall for this year. The changes include additional training for master trainers and recruiting commanders, and an extra two weeks of instruction for new recruiters, focusing on new skills and involving families in the decision-making process.

The Army hopes to address recruitment challenges by allowing new recruits and their families to choose where they want to be located, instead of being assigned to a location. By giving recruiters a say in where they are stationed, the Army aims to improve their ability to connect with potential recruits and build stronger relationships with communities. Recent graduates have shown success, with 31 out of 32 being assigned to their first-choice location.