In its latest effort to boost recruiting, the Army is offering promotion incentives to soldiers who lead young people to join the service.  

The Soldier Referral Program encourages all soldiers to support the Army as it faces a challenging recruiting environment and gives those already serving a chance to share their stories, according to an Army news release. 

“We’re excited to launch the Soldier Referral Program, allowing us to leverage motivated junior soldiers throughout the Army to engage high-quality recruits,” Maj. Gen. Johnny Davis, commanding general of Army Recruiting Command, said in the news release. “We hope soldiers everywhere will discuss the benefits and opportunities they’re afforded through their service with their friends and family.”  

Under the pilot program, privates to privates first class will be eligible for a single rank advancement of one grade if they refer someone who enlists and ships to basic training or one-station unit training. A soldier can only be promoted one time in their career through the Soldier Referral Program. 

Specialists and sergeants who participate will be eligible for promotion points by earning the new U.S. Army Recruiting Ribbon. The newly created ribbon aims to recognize soldiers for contributing to the recruiting effort. 

Additionally, any soldier, officer or enlisted, who has a qualified referral enlist and ship to basic training can earn the Recruiting Ribbon, according to the news release.  

The Soldier Referral Program comes after a tough recruiting year. The Army missed its fiscal 2022 goal by about 15,000 soldiers.  

Quality recruits are critical to the Army’s readiness, Davis said. “The Army needs quality recruits to support our national defense and readiness, and the best way to reach these individuals is through the young professionals throughout our formations,” he said. “Quality will attract quality.”  

The program also encourages soldiers to share their Army experiences, which could help address civilians’ decreasing familiarity with the military.  

While Americans today are less likely to know someone who has served, family connections and mentors have a positive impact on people’s decision to join the military, according to analysis from the Institute for Defense Analyses. “Family connections and mentors: parents, aunts and uncles, teachers, and coaches who may have served in the military [have] a positive association with accessions,” the report found.  

The Army looks forward to rewarding soldiers who help grow the force. “For decades, our Army recruiting mission has benefited from the selfless efforts of soldiers at every rank who encouraged others to see the benefits of Army service,” Brig. Gen. Hope Rampy, director of Military Personnel Management, said in the Army news release. “Now, we have a way to reward their contributions.” 

To participate in the Soldier Referral Program, click here or text RFRL to GOARMY (462769).