Military News, News From Iraq & Afghanistan - Military Times

More plan to re-enlist, citing lousy economy

As the economy continues to shed hundreds of thousands of jobs, troops say they are reconsidering whether to leave the service.

If they had to decide today, about 71 percent of active-duty troops and 80 percent of reservists would re-enlist or extend their military commitment, according to the latest Military Times survey.

When asked why they would stay, active-duty respondents cited “job security” as the top reason.

That and a passion for serving his country were the key reasons Army Staff Sgt. Michael Davis said he returned to the Army in 2005 after prior service.

“The economy started getting worse and worse,” he said. “There’s nothing going to keep me out now. I love my job. I love what I do.”

Davis, who works as a recruiter in Surprise, Ariz., said difficult financial circumstances drive many recruits to enlist. “I know that the economy is hurting people right now,” Davis said. “It just seems like there’s a lot more people joining due to the economy.”

Spc. Ryan C. Smith, a petroleum supply specialist with the 603rd Transportation Company at Fort Polk, La., who recently returned from Iraq, said prospects for civilian jobs look dim.

“There’s nothing out there for me,” he said. “It’s me and my wife. I have to support her. We’re trying to have kids. I don’t know what I’d do without the Army ... the health care and the steady paycheck.”

The worsening economic climate has spurred recruiting and retention in the military — so much so that the Army will cut $90 million from its retention bonus programs in 2009. It’s unclear whether the other services will follow suit.

The survey also found that 45 percent of active-duty respondents and 54 percent of reservists are somewhat or very worried about their family’s finances.

With the military fighting two wars in the Middle East, the respondents reflect a battle-hardened group with less time back home between deployments.

More than three out of four active-duty respondents said they deployed at least once to Iraq, and one in four said they had deployed at least once to Afghanistan. Of those who deployed more than once, nearly 40 percent said they received 12 months or less of dwell time. Last year, that figure was 28 percent.

Despite their relatively high pace of deployments, most Guard and reserve respondents said they are satisfied with their family life and experience little conflict between work life and personal life.

Still, 11 percent of reservists said they would not re-enlist or extend their military commitment if they had to make the decision today. When asked why, they cited “frequent deployments” more than any other answer.