Press Release
☷Army recruiters want veterans to share their stories
U.S. Army ( By Press Release office)
May 06,2022
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Col . James Welch heads up the Army’s top recruiting brigade , the 2nd Recruiting Brigade . If you’ve got military experience , Uncle Sam wants you! But , before you hurry and get your fatigues and gear out of the attic , we’re talking recruiting . You see , on the heels of Army Service Week , Col . James Welch , commander of the 2nd Recruiting Brigade , is “recruiting” retirees and others who have served to share their experience in the Army . “ ( We want to ) connect with the community and get folks to tell their stories , ” Welch said . “We want to talk with the leaders out there – business , community and school – to help us offer what we have for young people . “It’s pretty powerful when you have people tell their stories . ” The 2nd Brigade has been the Army’s No . 1 recruiting brigade for several years running but , like just about everything else recently , saw a slowdown because of COVID . Recruiters could no longer visit homes , schools or universities due to the pandemic . “When COVID hit , we shut down ( the visits ) , ” Welch said . “That’s where our noncommissioned officers meet young people . “We’re still kind of paying for that . ” Welch said he’s proud of the NCOs for maximizing their efforts to bring young people into the Army . “They have the most important job in the Army , ” he said . “Without the recruits , we don’t have Soldiers . ” To help recruiting , the Army has offered incentives of signing bonuses and choice of assignments . In January , the Army announced an all - time - high bonus maximum of $50 , 000 for certain critical occupations . The service has also worked to provide predictability by giving thousands of recruits the ability to select their first duty station , including popular locations such as Hawaii , Colorado and Germany . Another incentive is a two - year enlistment , which offers an option for individuals who aren’t prepared to make a long - term commitment of four or six years right away . “The incentives are amazing , ” Welch said . “Young people can get both – a bonus and choice of assignment . They also have a two - year option with two years in the Reserves . “There are challenges with the labor market but the incentives help level the playing field with recruiters . ” Welch said the 2nd Brigade covers the Southeast and has eight battalions , “each has their own nuance . ” “Our big push has been to get to the colleges and universities , ” he said . “We’re focused on casting a wider net . ” Welch said there are about 150 jobs available in the Army – “Not everyone needs to be in the infantry . ” Along with the combat - related infantry and Special Forces roles , careers range from positions in information technology to medicine . The Army provides training and education to ensure each Soldier is successful in their chosen career field and more marketable when they transition out of the service . Another program , Welch said , is the Partnership for Youth Success or PAYS . “Companies sign a partnership with the Army , ” he said . “A recruit signs with that company and they will be guaranteed an interview with that company after serving . ” Army Service Week highlighted information about current vacancies and the key benefits of service , including technical training , 30 days of paid vacation , health care , money for college classes and certifications , and family support programs . “That’s why I love this job , ” Welch said . “Being able to go out and talk to the young people . ”
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