The Army’s top enlisted soldier announced late last month that the force expects it will meet its 2019 recruiting goals after underperforming in its 2018 recruitment efforts, Federal News Network reported.
Army Sgt. Maj. Dan Dailey spoke at a late June gathering of the Association of the Army and told attendees the service is likely to reach its target of 68,000 active duty soldiers by the end of 2019.
The Army is also expected to achieve 15,000 Army Reserve recruits and 39,000 Army National Guard recruits, according to the report.
In 2018 the Army had targeted a goal of 80,000 active duty soldiers, later reducing its target to 76,500 before finally achieving 70,000.
“It’s a challenging market, Daily told the association attendees. “Everybody is looking for the same type of individual we are: 18- to 24-year-olds, good moral character, high school graduates. That’s what the workforce in America is after too.”
Acting Defense Secretary Mark Esper, who previously served as Secretary of the Army, earlier this spring outlined the service’s plans on growing its end strength by 4,000 each year until 2022, as On Base has reported.
Army photo by Staff Sgt. Chris McCullough