Abstract:
There are specific challenges to maintaining an all-recruited, all-volunteer military. This analysis addresses several policies, previous and current, used to raise and maintain our armed forces, including an examination of other countries. Our focus is more on the retention side of the military personnel equation; however all of the alternative courses of action discussed ultimately have an impact on recruiting.
After a critical review of the most viable options available, using five key evaluative criteria, it was determined that the most effective approach to meeting force levels was to pursue a combined strategy of three major initiatives. They are: 1) cash incentives, 2) military to civilian conversions, and 3) greater use of the Guard and Reserve.
