Army to Expand Recruiting Incentives

[babylonsister]

Army to Expand Recruiting Incentives

By KIMBERLY HEFLING, Associated Press Writer

Thursday, August 9, 2007

(08-09) 14:49 PDT WASHINGTON, (AP) --

Need a down-payment for your home? Seed money to start a business? The Army wants to help — if you're willing to join up.

Despite spending nearly $1 billion last year on recruiting bonuses and ads, Army leaders say an even bolder approach is needed to fill wartime ranks.

Under a new proposal, men and women who enlist could pick from a "buffet" of incentives, including up to $45,000 tax-free that they accrue during their career to help buy a home or build a business. Other options would include money for college and to pay off student loans.

An Associated Press review of the increasingly aggressive recruiting offerings found the Army is not only dangling more sign-up rewards — it's loosening rules on age and weight limits, education and drug and criminal records.

It's all part of an Army effort to fill its ranks even as the percentage of young people who say they plan to join the military has hit a historic low — 16 percent by the Pentagon's own surveying — in the fifth year of the Iraq war.

more...

http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/08/09/national/w125358D61.DTL&type=politics

[billyoc]

1. "We'll pay for your gang tattoos!"

:rofl:

[steven88]

3. Plus all the drive-by's you want

[BlooInBloo]

2. SuckERS!!! They don't pay 1/2 the time.

[steven88]

4. The $45K'ers go to the front lines - limits payouts

[obama_girl]

5. blood money!

That's all it is.

[babylonsister]

6. You got it, and welcome to DU!

:hi:

[obama_girl]

7. Thanks

:)

[OrangeCountyDemocrat]

8. Do You Get An Extra Grand If You're Blown To Bits? nt

[Donnachaidh]

9. Be sure to get your CASH UPFRONT

This government is hoping y'all don't make it back to collect. :sarcasm: