COMP News – To bolster recruitment efforts, the US Army is offering more robust incentive bonuses to new recruits.

Maj Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Recruiting Command, told The Associated Press that the Army hopes the increase in bonuses will help attract new talent amid a challenging landscape for military recruiters. Vereen said the pandemic has made it difficult to recruit both in schools and at public events, making the competition for getting qualified recruits in the door much more difficult.

Swanson said it’s to keep up with “general competition in the marketplace” and denied it has to do with recent recruitment numbers.

This bonus can be up to $50,000 for those who commit to six years of service, up from the previous maximum of $40,000.

For the first time in its history, the U.S. Army is offering its largest bonus ever for new recruits who commit to six years of service — $50,000.

Up until now, the Army has offered a maximum bonus for new recruits of $40,000.

With the new incentive in place, the US Army hopes to win over some individuals who were considering private-sector work rather than military service.

“This is an opportunity to entice folks to consider the Army,” said Brig. Gen. John Cushing in a statement. “We’ve taken a look at the critical (military occupational specialties) we need to fill in order to maintain the training bases, and that is where we place a lot of our emphasis.”

In addition, recruits that are able to complete basic training sooner will be rewarded with incentives up to $9,000.

Officials said the Army will also offer an incentive between $2,000 to $9,000 for those who are ready to ship out to basic training within 90 days — with more money being offered for those who ship out sooner.

To read more about the US Army’s enlistment incentive, click here.

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