5% OF ARMY JOBS TO BE CUT, HOWEVER, SOLDIERS STILL NEEDED


By bblouin
Soldier working one of the available Army jobs.

Let’s be clear here—the U.S. Army needs Soldiers. The recruitment woes by the U.S. military’s largest branch are well documented across many different articles, news outlets, and talking heads. Yet, Army jobs are still in the crosshairs of the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD), which is looking to slash positions while simultaneously attracting new Soldiers. Confused? Let’s dive in and make sense of it all. Suggested read: Gen Z Remains Uninterested in US Military Recruitment Efforts

Army Jobs Are Being Cut but There’s More to It Than That

The Army is cutting around 24,000 jobs (5% of the total force). They are also restructuring Soldiers for better readiness before the next major war. Sadly, many jobs in the Army haven’t been filled and the cuts are aimed at these positions. There is a specific focus on cuts to jobs in Army Special Operations. Especially jobs involving counterinsurgency, which were necessary in the Middle East conflicts that have consumed much of the focus from the American Armed Forces for decades. Currently, the service is supposed to have 494,000 Soldiers, but in reality, it only has 445,000 actively serving. Under the proposed plan, Army leaders will target more Army recruits to get enough people by the end of Fiscal Year 2029 to reach the quota of 470,000 actively serving Soldiers. But in reality, the U.S. Army recruitment missed its targets last year (2023) by 41,000. And entering the new year with a recent recruiting crisis. In a statement, military leaders reiterated several factors affecting their ability to recruit, including job competitiveness, declining eligibility, and school closure. As the Army plans major cuts to Special Operations Forces, it’s also looking to add around 7,500 Soldiers for other means. The focus here is on air defense, units countering drone attacks, and five new task forces for a range of operations around the world. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth spoke on the changes mentioning that they were necessary because of the shift in war. Rather than focusing on counterterrorism and counterinsurgency, the U.S. is getting ready “for large-scale combat operations.” Related read: Can the New Women Teams Initiative Help US Navy Recruiting?

Reorganizing Soldiers

Having a Soldier for each job in the Army is a struggle. Internally, the branch has realized there are areas of overstructuring. This is also accelerating the cuts to Army jobs as a means to an end to fight more effectively. Because there are gaps between the need and personnel, the cuts are reorganizing and optimizing the branch. Plans to increase the size of the Army continue to face pressures but the time is still coming after two decades of focusing on Iraq and Afghanistan when the military is shifting focus to the Pacific. The uncomfortable truth is that several threats all over the world are emerging, including multiple potential powder kegs in Asia. This is causing a need for brigades capable of large-scale warfare as opposed to counterinsurgency missions. Modern conflicts are also showcasing the necessity of organized air defense and the ability to defend against drones. This includes sea drones and other high-tech advancements entering the battlefield. Army leaders reviewed job specialties to identify areas for reduction and prioritize resources for modernization efforts. The plan will cut thousands across many positions, including Cavalry, engineering, Stryker brigade combat teams, Infantry, and more.

Strategies to Address Army Recruitment Challenges

Amid Army recruitment issues, nearly 5% of the workforce is still being cut. However, some problems need to be addressed to overcome such shortcomings.

1. Adjusting to Shift Priorities

The Army is shifting its priorities regarding national defense. It must align its goal to attract more army recruits, emphasizing the importance of joining the forefront of technological and strategic innovation.

2. Overcome Previous Recruitment Shortfalls

In the past few years, the Army has consistently failed to reach its quota in terms of headcount recruits. However, it has used various efforts to entice young individuals or those with college degrees. By changing the strategies of the U.S. Army recruitment team and considering demographics, they might get a chance to have enough people serving.

3. Strategic Focus on Recruitment Quality

By focusing on specialized quality recruiters, they can quickly identify and engage with potential recruits. This shift from quality to quantity will ensure that they recruit individuals with the skills needed for the modern military landscape.The Army recruitment process can remain the same. However, some points need to be considered to attract more quality individuals.

Filling Remaining Army Jobs Remains a Hurdle

Another fiscal year for the Army went by without hitting its recruitment goals. The evolving jobs in the Army doesn’t mean fewer Soldiers are needed, just that they are needed to serve in a different capacity. Part of the focus for filling the roles is to recruit younger people in need of experience for their careers. However, a strong job market is doing anything but helping the recruitment process. It takes many different industries to make the American Armed Forces operate. However, the opportunity to grow early in one’s career, along with financial and other incentives, could be a way to attract more Soldiers. A clear solution for filling all of the Army jobs necessary isn’t clear nor simple. What is taking shape, however, is a consorted effort to organize the branch moving forward. Read next: Breaking Down the Army Reenlistment Bonus Suspension Updated by Allison Kirschbaum


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