Army bringing back retirees-Colorado Guard suggests bounty for recruitment [View All]

Published January 13, 2005

Army bringing back retirees

More than 500 former soldiers, mid-40s and older, may volunteer this year to serve in Iraq.

By Gregg Zoroya
USA Today

Washington — The Army, stretched thin by the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, is dipping into one of its last resources for wartime duty: retirees on a military pension.

The Army is expanding a little-known program to bring back retired officers and enlisted soldiers who expressed a willingness to join again, particularly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

At least 320 retirees signed up last year under this program. Probably more than 500 will go back on active duty this year, says Lt. Col. Karla Brischke, an Army personnel manager. Ages range from mid-40s to late 60s and possibly older, and each has at least 20 years of military service.

"It doesn't mean that we're scraping the bottom of the barrel," says Lt. Col. Bryan Hilferty, a spokesman for the Army personnel department. "It means that we're doing a prudent thing with American resources."

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http://www.gazette.com/display.php?id=1305366&secid=1

Jan. 12, 2005

Colorado Guard suggests bounty for recruitment


By TOM ROEDER - THE GAZETTE

Recruiting has gotten so difficult for the Colorado Army National Guard that commanders want to offer $200 bounties to guardsmen who get their friends to sign up.

Since October, the Guard has brought in about half the recruits it needs to maintain ranks and be ready for war.

The problem is twofold, said Lt. Col. Michael Stowell, who heads recruiting and retention for the Colorado Guard. First, experienced soldiers who were sent to Iraq have been quitting after they return. Second, would-be recruits are scared off by the prospect of spending a year in a war zone.

“What we’re telling people is the likelihood of being deployed if you enlist is pretty high,” Stowell said. “It’s not so much of a what if, but a when.”

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