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Army recruiters getting waivers for criminal backgrounds.

Army aims to coax back former troops

Tue Nov 29, 2005 6:07 PM ET

By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Army, fresh off missing its latest annual recruiting goal, has launched an unprecedented effort to coax former troops to sign up again for active-duty military service, officials said on Tuesday.

The Army this month began contacting 78,000 people who previously served in the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps to pitch them on the idea of leaving behind their civilian lives and returning for another stint in uniform, said Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, an Army spokesman at the Pentagon.

Unlike in the past, they now can return to the Army without giving up their previous rank or undergo the rigors of basic training, said Hilferty, who described it as the first program of its kind for the Army.

The Army fell about 7,000 short of its goal of sending 80,000 recruits into basic training in fiscal 2005, which ended September 30. Officials attributed the shortfall to the Iraq war and other factors. The fiscal 2006 recruiting goal again is set at 80,000.

Hilferty said the new program, which targets people who left the military within the past five years and particularly those who were in branches other than the Army, is not a sign of recruiting desperation.

"I think it's just common sense," Hilferty said. "These are people with a propensity for service who previously served honorably and who are trained. If they want to serve, why shouldn't we offer them that opportunity? And why should we put up barriers?"

About 7,000 former officers were among the 78,000 receiving recruiting letters that stated, "There is no higher calling than service in our armed forces, and this is your opportunity to answer the call to duty again."

"You've served our country before, and maybe you miss the adventure, camaraderie, teamwork and leadership opportunities that the military offers. If so, you can put your previous military experience and skills to work again as a soldier in the active Army," the letter adds.

'UNITY OF EFFORT'

Hilferty said the Army would be pleased if this "Unity of Effort" recruiting program coaxes 1,000-2,000 former service members to sign up with the Army. He said it was too early to tell how well the program is doing.

About 80 percent of the letters went to people who served in services other than the Army, Hilferty said.

The Army has done away with some policies that had been barriers to those who in the past might have wanted to return to duty. For example, those returning under the program will not have to accept a lower rank and pay grade.

Unlike in the past, they also will be exempted from basic training. Those who previously served in the Navy, Air Force and Marines would have to participate in a four-week course to transition them to Army service from their previous branch of the military.

Bonuses ranging from $5,000 to $19,000 are being offered and the Army also dropped a rule that had blocked former soldiers from getting training in a different career field than they previously had worked.

Former Coast Guard personnel also can take part in the program.

The Army provides the bulk of ground troops fighting in an Iraq war in which more than 2,100 U.S. troops have died in the 2-1/2 years of fighting.

Fiscal 2005 was one of the most difficult recruiting years since the birth of the all-volunteer U.S. military in 1973, with the active-duty Army, the Army Reserve and the Army National Guard all missing their goals.

Officials said the new program is designed not to hurt the recruiting efforts of other parts of the military.