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Re-enlistment rates exceed Army estimates

Jun-27-2005 » Filed Under: 3/2 SBCT

Soldiers from the 3/2 & 1/25 SBCTs are featured in the following article from Michael Gilbert.

Link to Full Article
MICHAEL GILBERT; The News Tribune

New recruits are hard to find, but the Army is having no trouble persuading the soldiers it already has to stick around.

They’re re-enlisting at rates well above the Army’s goal for this fiscal year, attracted by a mix of tax-free bonuses, educational opportunities and other benefits. Many are re-upping under stability plans that allow them and their families to stay at one installation for several years, rather than cope with the constant moves that typically are part of military life.

And while the war in Iraq is cited as the major reason for Army recruiting woes, re-enlistment rates at Fort Lewis and elsewhere are highest among soldiers returning from the war, career counselors said.

“There are a lot of benefits to staying in right now. The re-enlistment bonuses are great. College options are there,” said Sgt. 1st Class Devon Roy, 30, an air defense artilleryman at Fort Lewis. He re-enlisted in August in Mosul to spend the rest of his career – another 12 years – in the Army.

“But there’s also that warrior ethos. There’s pride from going over there and doing your job,” Roy said. “There’s a lot of guys who have been there and have a sense of camaraderie, and a sense of responsibility to still do the mission, to finish the job.”

A total of 1,002 soldiers from Roy’s unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, re-enlisted while they were in Iraq last year or just after they returned home in October – exceeding the Army’s goal by about 25 percent, Fort Lewis officials said. In some returning units, Army officials say they as much as doubled their anticipated number of re-enlistments.

Army-wide, retention is running at about 107 percent of the annual goal, officials said. From Oct. 1 through May the active-duty Army re-enlisted 45,333 soldiers, ahead of its goal of 44,172.


Comments For "Re-enlistment rates exceed Army estimates":

The surge in reenlistments is due mostly to the fact that as you are serving one deployment you look at the chances of being stop lossed for another and when the Army offers you money that you know is more of an all or nothing deal then you take it. Why stay in for nothing, when you can get some sort of compensation. The reenlistments aren't coming from the personnel who are due to ETS within 90 days of our return, they are coming from those with 1-2yrs left who dont know with any certainty what lies waiting for them with the realignment currently going on.

Posted by: chris | June 27, 2005 8:12 AM

Chris -

Thanks for taking the time to explain the whole re-enlistment situation. This soldier's Mom appreciates the clarification.

God Bless!

Posted by: Linda in PA | June 27, 2005 8:53 AM

IS THE GLASS HALF FULL OR HALF EMPTY? IF 1000 RE-UP AND 3,000 WONT;WHERE WILL HELP COME FROM? MY SON IS A STRYKER AND WE PRAY HE GETS OUT OK AND STAYS OUT. THANK YOU FOR THOSE THAT STAY FOR THE RIGHT REASONS. DALE

Posted by: dale | June 27, 2005 3:14 PM

I don't think there is enough money in the world to convince me that my husband reenlisting is a good thing...money is money but...
I want my husband out! lol But I greatly appreciate those people who have chosen the Army as a career! God bless each of you! Stryker Wife

Posted by: Kacie Greene | June 28, 2005 12:36 PM

I agree with Dale & Kacie. My son is also a Stryker & is not re-enlisting. My husband & I are pleased with his decision, but we applaud those that are staying in. God Bless All Of Them!

Posted by: Linda in PA | July 2, 2005 5:39 AM

my husband is supposed to ETS may 06. those life cycle's are NOT GOOD. You can not breach your side of the contract but they don't have to hold up their side. sound a little hypocritical? extortion?
You are right....6 of one half dozen of the other. in order to not be stoplossed he would have to reinlist. and to get out of infantry he would have to reinlist for min. 3 more years without a bonus. Just crossing our fingers. We just want to move on with our life! is that so hard to ask? Have to make a decision by February. This should be a willing thing-whether to stay in the service or not. It should not be forced. If you serve your time and did what was right you should have the right to move on if that is what you want. obviously that's not what govt thinks...

Posted by: Scared Wife | July 28, 2005 6:25 PM

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