Army hits its target for recruits in 2015

Tom Vanden Brook | USA TODAY

WASHINGTON — The Army met its recruiting goal for the year ending Sept. 30, overcoming a deficit in new soldiers that had dogged it for much of the year, officials said Thursday.

For fiscal year 2015, the Army recruited 59,170 new soldiers, exceeding the goal of 59,000, according to Kelli Bland, a spokeswoman for the Army's recruiting command in Fort Knox, Ky.

The improving economy has offered young men and women more job options, toughening the task for recruiters. Tightening military budgets also have limited the bonuses that can be offered. And some of the Army's best recruiters, who have been successful for years, have retired or moved on to other jobs, said Beth Asch, a senior economist at the Rand Corp.

"Those are the big three," said Asch, an expert in labor economics and defense personnel.

Entering the summer, the Army had fallen behind in its monthly goals. At the end of May, it had fallen 13.5% short of its goal but had trimmed the gap to 8% by the end of September. Recruiters did fall short of their goal for the Army reserve for 2015 and its delayed-entry pool for 2016.

The Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy face similar recruiting challenges, Asch said.

"All the services right now have concerns about improvements in the economy and the tightening labor market," Asch said. "The improved job prospects for young people have an effect, especially in their target market — those with higher aptitude."

Maj. Gen. Jeffrey Snow, who leads Army recruiting efforts, said Thursday that the goal for 2016 will be higher, 62,500 new soldiers.

"It's going to be a challenging year, but I am confident my team is up to the task," Snow said.