With a public already beleaguered by over a decade of controversial wars, Defense Secretary Ash Carter sees military recruitment and retention as major challenges moving forward. In order meet these goals, Carter is considering the idea of adjusting recruitment requirements.
Documents released by the Pentagon show that Carter’s primary focus is on cyber related jobs, and the need to recruit individuals with a high-tech skill set. In the past, it has proven difficult for the military to lure such talent away from the more lucrative private sector.
Earlier this month, Lt. Gen. Edward Cardon, head of the US Army Cyber Command, told the House Armed Services subcommittee that "recruiting and retaining Army civilian cyber talent is challenging given internal federal employment constraints regarding compensation and a comparatively slow hiring process."
Essentially, the most tech savvy are taking their talent where the money is, and the money is rarely in government employment.
Carter seems perfectly aware that a Pentagon salary could never compete with one from Silicon Valley, but the loosening of hiring restrictions could address the matter in a more practical way. Changing age restrictions, for example, or becoming a little less strict about minor drug offenses.
A ten-year-old possession charge shouldn't keep a top-notch programmer from engaging in US cyberwar.
The Pentagon is also considering a few other ways to attract its new generation. Programs to help enlistees pay off student debt and save for retirement are also being considered. Carter has discussed the possibility of implementing a 401k-type program.
Still, the idea of loosening standards in an institution as rigidly structured as the US military always proves controversial. For an organization comprised of America's best and brightest, weaker standards could mean a weaker military.
"Lowering disciplinary or appearance standards would be counter-productive," Center for Military Readiness President Elaine Donnelly told Sputnik, "but better leadership and visible support for the military from the Commander-in-Chief on down could increase the willingness of young people to consider service in the Army Reserve."
And this isn’t the first time the US has reduced its recruitment standards. During the peak wartime between 2006 and 2007, the military issued a number of bad behavior waivers to meet deployment needs. Many of these waivers were given to individuals with criminal records, some with felony convictions.
Many military leaders have blamed these waivers on the recent uptick in sexual assaults within the military and veteran suicides. Naturally, these same leaders are hesitant to repeat those same mistakes.
Still, some concessions may be necessary. As US Army Reserve Command spokesman Eric Connor said last month, 3 out of 10 US civilians would fail to meet the Army Reserves physical, mental, and moral requirements.
Carter is expected to begin arguing for these changes during a series of talks in Pennsylvania and New York this week.
