The economy and retention

[Infantrymen]

Has the worsening economic climate affected decisions on re-enlistment?

[ScreaminChief]

I think the economy will play a factor in re-enlistment. Being in the Armed Forces is one of the better jobs out there right now. I personnaly bring home about 1/2 what I did when I was in the Army in '07. I think people that are sitting on the fence as to whether or not to get out, will really have to take a hard look at the civillian job situation first.

[Batgirl]

I agree it is a factor over here as well. Recruiting is also getting a big boost as our recruitment teams are having a lot of success in the areas of the country where there is high unemployment.

[rebellious]

I think that the actual economic situation will be the reason that people will re-enlist. If you enjoyed doing what you did I sure bet that that you'd come back to help out. I would. Why stand to the side and watch? You already did it once why not again?

[Harmon Rabb Jr.]

I'm just staying in school longer, getting Bachelor's soon to Ph.D/JD. I don't want to go out into a bad job market. I would rather have a large debt that takes longer to pay out than to be jobless and have debt.

[Shellback]

Retention is an interesting dynamic in that I don't believe it has as large an impact as one might initially consider.
Consider this, when the economy goes in the crapper and the job market is a joke, what do people do? Well, for those that have jobs, they obviously hold on to what they have... But for those that do not have jobs, they in some way retool for when the market picks up, hence the rise in MBA, JD and MD applications.
Now, the response would seem to indicate that if a soldier / sailor is at the end of their term then according to the aforementioned logic they should stay in and re-enlist. However, with the GI Bill and the wealth of aid available, I would argue the soldier / sailor is currently in the best position to come out, attain a 4 year degree and ideally graduate right as the cycle is on the upward swing.
I think retention will see a minor impact, but for the most part it will reflect the soldiers / sailors who had no intention in the first place of coming out and going to school. I propose that those that did intend to get out, will in fact get out and go to school.
Now, the real question is, what will the incoming Commander & Chief's impact be on retention and recruitment?

[BSR]

The economic condition in this country around the time of the depression drove many to join because they were guaranteed 3 squares a day and a roof over their head.

[Tom Gustafson]

I have little doubt all branches will have a marked increase in retention.

[scout1067]

Of course a bad economy means more people want to enlist. The military is a steady job. It also means tighter enlistment standards because more try to join. Overall, I would say it means that the military will get a better quality of recruits during a recession than otherwise would be the case.

[Redleg 6]

Absolutely. That's probably the reason they stopped giving retention and/or recruitment bonuses. The Army saves money because the economy is bad. Sucks, but that's just the way it works out sometimes. Wait til the economy recovers or we deal death and destruction down on another country (several come to mind), then they will have to give bonuses again. Redleg 6