ASSOCIATION OF THE UNITED STATES ARMY

Despite the continuing recruiting challenge, the Army has increased its recruiting goal for this year, the service’s top civilian leader said. 

Missing last year’s recruiting goal by about 15,000 people “is a very serious problem for us,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said, noting that this year’s goal of 65,000 is 5,000 more than last year.

The secretary of the Army said she is a “huge fan” of the new program that assesses candidates for command and is working to adjust some aspects of the process based on participant feedback.

Launched in January 2020 as part of the Army’s talent management initiatives, the Command Assessment Program evaluates officers’ fitness for battalion and brigade command and sergeants major for brigade senior enlisted adviser slots.

Delays in passing the fiscal 2023 defense policy and funding legislation is adding to the Army’s problems.

The fiscal year began Oct. 1 with the Army and the rest of the federal government operating under a temporary funding resolution that has limited funds and does not allow for new programs to begin or for any major changes in existing programs.

Army Secretary Christine Wormuth and the secretaries of the Navy and Air Force have written a joint pitch to encourage young people to join the military.

The Oct. 24 commentary published in The Wall Street Journal comes as all the services—but particularly the Army—are having problems meeting their recruiting goals. The Navy and Air Force made their fiscal year 2022 active duty enlisted recruiting targets, but the Army fell short by about 25%.

Questions about mental health and access to behavioral health providers prompted a frank discussion with Army senior leaders at the Association of the U.S. Army’s Annual Meeting and Exposition.

Addressing a standing room-only, town hall-style forum with military families, Army Secretary Christine Wormuth gave her assurance that seeking help is “nothing to be ashamed about,” acknowledging that she has sought counseling during difficult times in her own life.

Early results of a preparatory program for Army recruits “look pretty promising,” and the effort will soon be expanded if more progress is made, according to Army leaders.

“Depending on how that plays out in the next month or two, I think we will look at expanding that to some additional training sites, which would obviously help us,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Oct. 10 during a press conference at the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition.

“The early results of [the program] look pretty promising,” she said.

“I am confident we are on the right track,” Army Secretary Christine Wormuth said Oct. 10 at the opening ceremony of the Association of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition. 

Her second appearance as the keynote speaker at AUSA’s biggest event of the year was somber. “We are living in challenging times,” Wormuth said, noting that the Army faces “a wide and sobering range of national security threats.” 

The first day of the largest annual land warfare exposition in North America features a keynote address by Army Secretary Christine Wormuth, the unveiling of the winners of the Army’s inaugural Best Squad Competition, and much more.

The Association of the U.S. Army’s 2022 Annual Meeting and Exposition is being held for the 19th time at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The three-day in-person event will take place Oct. 10–12 and feature more than 700 exhibits in five halls on both levels of the convention center.