Skilled workers are in high demand across the country. It’s a jobseekers market, and the story is no different in the U.S. Army where staffing shortages have led to some pretty impressive sign-on bonuses.
The Army is now offering new enlistees up to $50,000 if they commit to 6 years in the service.
According to Associated Press, the Army’s lower recruitment numbers stem from school closings due to the COVID pandemic. Closed schools mean military recruiters lose the opportunity to connect with students.
“We are still living the implications of 2020 and the onset of COVID, when the school systems basically shut down,” said Maj. Gen. Kevin Vereen, head of Army Recruiting Command. “We lost a full class of young men and women that we didn’t have contact with, face-to-face.”
The Army is hiring for many different Military Occupational Specialties (MOS), but the enlistment bonus will be higher for those jobs requiring special skills. Mechanically inclined students may find themselves working with helicopters, while those with interest in computer coding may be suited for the intelligence field. If the Army can put those skills to use for six years, it could be worth $50,000.
This is the first time the Army has offered such a large sum for new recruits. Owing to inflation and other economic pressures, a financial incentive stands to make a big impact with those who take up the offer.
“We’re in a competitive market,” Vereen said. “How we incentivize is absolutely essential, and that is absolutely something that we know that is important to trying to get somebody to come and join the military.”
According to Popular Military, bonuses of $2,000 to $3,000 are also available for those who can enter basic training within 90 days or sooner.