Military recruitment, retention challenges remain, service chiefs say

https://www.stripes.com/military-recruitment-retention-challenges-remain-service-chiefs-say-1.581364

Military recruitment, retention challenges remain, service chiefs say

By CLAUDIA GRISALES | STARS AND STRIPES
Published: May 16, 2019

WASHINGTON — Despite retention and some recruitment gains, plenty of challenges remain for the military branches to adapt to an evolving economy and growing worker needs, the service chiefs said Thursday. They told a House Armed Services Committee subpanel examining the issue that they’ve installed a series of programs to entice new enlistments and retain servicemembers.

But despite those initiatives, and some positive trends in recruitment, there’s much work ahead to meet the needs of a modern military.
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The service chiefs told the House panel that efforts to improve child care options, streamlined processes for military spouses to obtain professional licenses after moves, boosted career flexibility and increased perks have helped with retention.

James Stewart, acting undersecretary of defense for personnel and readiness, told House lawmakers that the military services are exhibiting strong retention rates and are expected to meet goals this year to keep servicemembers from leaving.

Much of that is happening by recognizing an old adage that the military recruits the member but retains the family, Stewart said. That entails offering perks such as increasing basic allowance for housing and offering new technology portals to find child care.

Rep. Jackie Speier, D-Calif., chairwoman of the panel who recently visited several installations, said servicemembers have four key areas of concern: assignment location, child care, spouse professional employment and help resources for sexual misconduct and domestic violence.
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