The Army designed the
program for high school seniors. It's brand new. Promotional materials
haven't been printed yet, but recruiters are talking it up at schools.
The program pays students $1,000 for each month between signing the
commitment contract and leaving for basic training after completing
high school. The Army pays an additional $1,000 for high school
graduation.
For example, Christopher Keen enlisted in late
October and plans to leave for basic training in late June. He'll rack
up $10,000 in bonus money for his nine months in the program, including
the $1,000 graduation award.
The Army almost missed its
recruiting goal for the year that ended on Sept. 30. It began the new
year on Oct. 1 with fewer men and women signed up for basic training
than in any year since it became an all-volunteer service in 1973.
The new bonus program for high schoolers is "obviously intended to
increase recruitment" but isn't necessarily a reaction to nearly
missing national recruiting goals last year, said Kim Hanson, a public
affairs officer for the Dallas Army Recruiting Battalion.
