Military recruitment
Encyclopedia
Military recruitment is the act of requesting people, usually male adults, to join a military voluntarily. Involuntary military recruitment is known as conscription
. Many countries that have abolished conscription use military recruiters to persuade people to join, often at an early age. To facilitate this process, militaries have established recruiting commands. These units are solely responsible for increasing military enlistment.
Military recruitment can be considered part of military science
if analysed as part of military history
. Acquiring large amounts of forces in a relatively short period of time, especially voluntarily, as opposed to stable development, is a frequent phenomenon in history. One particular example is the regeneration of the military strength of the Communist Party of China
from a depleted force of 8,000 following the Long March
in 1934 into 2.8 million near the end of the Chinese Civil War
14 years later.
Recent cross-cultural studies suggest that, throughout the world, the same broad categories may be used to define recruitment appeals. They include war, economic motivation, education, family and friends, politics, and identity and psychosocial factors.
The increased emphasis on a national effort was reflected in World War I recruitment methods. Peter A. Padilla and Mary Riege Laner define six basic appeals to these recruitment campaigns: patriotism
, job/career/education, adventure/challenge, social status
, travel, and miscellaneous. Between 1915 and 1918, 42% of all army recruitment posters were themed primarily by patriotism. And though other themes - such as adventure and greater social status - would play an increased role during World War II recruitment, appeals to serve one’s country remained the dominant selling point.
On February 20, 1970, the President’s Commission on an All-Volunteer Armed Force unanimously agreed that the United States would be best served by an all-volunteer military. In supporting this recommendation, the committee noted that recruitment efforts would have to be intensified, as new enlistees would need to be convinced rather than conscripted. Much like the post-World War II era, these new campaigns put a stronger emphasis on job opportunity. As such, the committee recommended “improved basic compensation and conditions of service, proficiency pay, and accelerated promotions for the highly skilled to make military career opportunities more attractive.” These new directives were to be combined with “an intensive recruiting effort.” Finalized in mid-1973, the recruitment of a “professional” military was met with success. In 1975 and 1976, military enlistments exceeded expectations, with over 365,000 men and women entering the military. Though this may, in part, have been the result of a lack of civilian jobs during the recession, it nevertheless stands to underline the ways in which recruiting efforts responded to the circumstances of the time.
Indeed, recommendations made by the President's Commission continue to work in present-day recruitment efforts. Understanding the need for greater individual incentive, the US military has re-packaged the benefits of the GI Bill. Though originally intended as compensation for service, the bill is now seen as a recruiting tool. Today, the GI Bill is "no longer a reward for service rendered, but an inducement to serve and has become a significant part of recruiter's pitches.”
, recruitment in India has been voluntary. Using Martial Race
theory, the British recruited heavily from selected communities for service in the colonial army. The largest of the colonial military forces the British Indian Army of the British Raj until Indian independence, was a volunteer army, raised from the native population with British officers. The Indian Army served both as a security force in India itself and, particularly during the World Wars, in other theaters. About 1.3 million men served in the First World War. During World War II, the British Indian Army would become the largest volunteer
army in history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945. It currently has around 1,414,000 troops.
people into an organization, and is the most popularized method of military recruitment.
used in advertisement to recruit
people into an organization, and was a popularized method of military recruitment.
“Risks and Recruitment in Postmodern Armed Forces: The Case of Belgium.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jul 2005; vol. 31: pp. 559–582.
Dandeker, Christopher and Alan Strachan.
“Soldier Recruitment to the British Army: a Spatial and Social Methodology for Analysis and Monitoring.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jan 1993; vol. 19: pp. 279–290.
Snyder, William P.
“Officer Recruitment for the All-Volunteer Force: Trends and Prospects.”
Armed Forces & Society, Apr 1984; vol. 10: pp. 401–425.
Griffith, James.
“Institutional Motives for Serving in the U.S. Army National Guard: Implications for Recruitment, Retention, and Readiness.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2008; vol. 34: pp. 230–258.
Fitzgerald, John A.
“Changing Patters of Officer Recruitment at the U.S. Naval Academy.”
Armed Forces & Society, Oct 1981; vol. 8: pp. 111–128.
Eighmey, John.
“Why Do Youth Enlist?: Identification of Underlying Themes.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2006; vol. 32: pp. 307–328.
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
. Many countries that have abolished conscription use military recruiters to persuade people to join, often at an early age. To facilitate this process, militaries have established recruiting commands. These units are solely responsible for increasing military enlistment.
Military recruitment can be considered part of military science
Military science
Military science is the process of translating national defence policy to produce military capability by employing military scientists, including theorists, researchers, experimental scientists, applied scientists, designers, engineers, test technicians, and military personnel responsible for...
if analysed as part of military history
Military history
Military history is a humanities discipline within the scope of general historical recording of armed conflict in the history of humanity, and its impact on the societies, their cultures, economies and changing intra and international relationships....
. Acquiring large amounts of forces in a relatively short period of time, especially voluntarily, as opposed to stable development, is a frequent phenomenon in history. One particular example is the regeneration of the military strength of the Communist Party of China
Communist Party of China
The Communist Party of China , also known as the Chinese Communist Party , is the founding and ruling political party of the People's Republic of China...
from a depleted force of 8,000 following the Long March
Long March
The Long March was a massive military retreat undertaken by the Red Army of the Communist Party of China, the forerunner of the People's Liberation Army, to evade the pursuit of the Kuomintang army. There was not one Long March, but a series of marches, as various Communist armies in the south...
in 1934 into 2.8 million near the end of the Chinese Civil War
Chinese Civil War
The Chinese Civil War was a civil war fought between the Kuomintang , the governing party of the Republic of China, and the Communist Party of China , for the control of China which eventually led to China's division into two Chinas, Republic of China and People's Republic of...
14 years later.
Recent cross-cultural studies suggest that, throughout the world, the same broad categories may be used to define recruitment appeals. They include war, economic motivation, education, family and friends, politics, and identity and psychosocial factors.
Wartime recruitment strategies in the US
Prior to the outbreak of World War I, military recruitment in the US was conducted primarily by individual states. Upon entering the war, however, the federal government took on an increased role.The increased emphasis on a national effort was reflected in World War I recruitment methods. Peter A. Padilla and Mary Riege Laner define six basic appeals to these recruitment campaigns: patriotism
Patriotism
Patriotism is a devotion to one's country, excluding differences caused by the dependencies of the term's meaning upon context, geography and philosophy...
, job/career/education, adventure/challenge, social status
Social status
In sociology or anthropology, social status is the honor or prestige attached to one's position in society . It may also refer to a rank or position that one holds in a group, for example son or daughter, playmate, pupil, etc....
, travel, and miscellaneous. Between 1915 and 1918, 42% of all army recruitment posters were themed primarily by patriotism. And though other themes - such as adventure and greater social status - would play an increased role during World War II recruitment, appeals to serve one’s country remained the dominant selling point.
Recruitment without conscription
After World War II, military recruitment shifted significantly. With no war calling men and women to duty, the United States refocused its recruitment efforts to present the military as a career option, and as a means of achieving a higher education. A majority - 55% - of all recruitment posters would serve this end. And though peacetime would not last, factors such as the move to an all-volunteer military would ultimately keep career-oriented recruitment efforts in place. The Defense Department turned to television syndication as a recruiting aid from 1957-1960 with a filmed show, Country Style, USA.On February 20, 1970, the President’s Commission on an All-Volunteer Armed Force unanimously agreed that the United States would be best served by an all-volunteer military. In supporting this recommendation, the committee noted that recruitment efforts would have to be intensified, as new enlistees would need to be convinced rather than conscripted. Much like the post-World War II era, these new campaigns put a stronger emphasis on job opportunity. As such, the committee recommended “improved basic compensation and conditions of service, proficiency pay, and accelerated promotions for the highly skilled to make military career opportunities more attractive.” These new directives were to be combined with “an intensive recruiting effort.” Finalized in mid-1973, the recruitment of a “professional” military was met with success. In 1975 and 1976, military enlistments exceeded expectations, with over 365,000 men and women entering the military. Though this may, in part, have been the result of a lack of civilian jobs during the recession, it nevertheless stands to underline the ways in which recruiting efforts responded to the circumstances of the time.
Indeed, recommendations made by the President's Commission continue to work in present-day recruitment efforts. Understanding the need for greater individual incentive, the US military has re-packaged the benefits of the GI Bill. Though originally intended as compensation for service, the bill is now seen as a recruiting tool. Today, the GI Bill is "no longer a reward for service rendered, but an inducement to serve and has become a significant part of recruiter's pitches.”
Controversy
For a description of controversies surrounding current US Military recruitment, refer to this page. It describes controversy over recruiters' honesty, potential exploitation of high-school students, military paying for education and providing job skills, and whether reformation is a better option than disassociation.Military recruitment in the United Kingdom
During both world wars and a period after the second, military service was mandatory for at least some of the British population. At other times, techniques similar to those outlined above have been used. The most prominent concern over the years has been the minimum age for recruitment, which has been 16 for many years. This has now been raised to 18 in relation to combat operations. In recent years, there have been various concerns over the techniques used in (especially) army recruitment in relation to the portrayal of such a career as an enjoyable adventure.Military recruitment in India
From the times of the British RajBritish Raj
British Raj was the British rule in the Indian subcontinent between 1858 and 1947; The term can also refer to the period of dominion...
, recruitment in India has been voluntary. Using Martial Race
Martial Race
Martial Race was a designation created by Army officials of British India, where they classified each ethnic group into one of two categories: 'Martial' and 'Non-Martial'. A 'martial race' was typically considered brave and well built for fighting. The 'non-martial races' were those whom the...
theory, the British recruited heavily from selected communities for service in the colonial army. The largest of the colonial military forces the British Indian Army of the British Raj until Indian independence, was a volunteer army, raised from the native population with British officers. The Indian Army served both as a security force in India itself and, particularly during the World Wars, in other theaters. About 1.3 million men served in the First World War. During World War II, the British Indian Army would become the largest volunteer
Volunteer military
A volunteer military or all-volunteer military is one which derives its manpower from volunteers rather than conscription or mandatory service. A country may offer attractive pay and benefits through military recruitment to attract volunteers...
army in history, rising to over 2.5 million men in August 1945. It currently has around 1,414,000 troops.
Recruitment centres
A recruitment centre in the UK or recruiting station in the U.S. is a building used to recruitRecruitment
Recruitment refers to the process of attracting, screening, and selecting qualified people for a job. For some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies.The recruitment...
people into an organization, and is the most popularized method of military recruitment.
Recruitment posters
A recruitment poster is a posterPoster
A poster is any piece of printed paper designed to be attached to a wall or vertical surface. Typically posters include both textual and graphic elements, although a poster may be either wholly graphical or wholly text. Posters are designed to be both eye-catching and informative. Posters may be...
used in advertisement to recruit
Recruitment
Recruitment refers to the process of attracting, screening, and selecting qualified people for a job. For some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies.The recruitment...
people into an organization, and was a popularized method of military recruitment.
See also
- America's ArmyAmerica's ArmyAmerica's Army is a series of video games and other media developed by the United States Army and released as a global public relations initiative to help with recruitment. America's Army was conceived by Colonel Casey Wardynski and is managed by the U.S...
(game) - Counter-recruitmentCounter-recruitmentCounter-recruitment is a strategy often taken up to oppose war. Counter-recruitment is an attempt to prevent military recruiters from enlisting civilians into the military. There are several methods commonly utilized in a counter-recruitment campaign, ranging from the political speech to direct...
- Rumsfeld v. Forum for Academic and Institutional Rights
- Solomon AmendmentSolomon AmendmentThe 1996 Solomon Amendment is the popular name of 10 U.S.C. § 983, a United States federal law that allows the Secretary of Defense to deny federal grants to institutions of higher education if they prohibit or prevent ROTC or military recruitment on campus.- History :Named for U.S. Representative...
- ImpressmentImpressmentImpressment, colloquially, "the Press", was the act of taking men into a navy by force and without notice. It was used by the Royal Navy, beginning in 1664 and during the 18th and early 19th centuries, in wartime, as a means of crewing warships, although legal sanction for the practice goes back to...
- Be All You Can Be
- Canada First Defence StrategyCanada First Defence StrategyThe Canada First Defence Strategy is the military recruitment and improvement strategy of the Canadian government to improve the overall effectiveness of the Canadian Forces...
External links
- United States Navy Recruiting Information
- United States Army Recruiting Information
- United States Marine Corps Recruiting Information
- United States Air Force Recruiting Information
- United States Coast Guard Recruiting Information
- Indian Navy Recruiting Information
- Indian Army Recruiting Information
- Indian Air Force Recruiting Information
- Indian Coast Guard Recruiting Information
- Indian Employment News
- Pashto Linguists Recruiting / Arabic Native Speaking
For Further Reading
Manigart, Philippe.“Risks and Recruitment in Postmodern Armed Forces: The Case of Belgium.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jul 2005; vol. 31: pp. 559–582.
- http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/31/4/559
Dandeker, Christopher and Alan Strachan.
“Soldier Recruitment to the British Army: a Spatial and Social Methodology for Analysis and Monitoring.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jan 1993; vol. 19: pp. 279–290.
- http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/19/2/279
Snyder, William P.
“Officer Recruitment for the All-Volunteer Force: Trends and Prospects.”
Armed Forces & Society, Apr 1984; vol. 10: pp. 401–425.
- http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/10/3/401
Griffith, James.
“Institutional Motives for Serving in the U.S. Army National Guard: Implications for Recruitment, Retention, and Readiness.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2008; vol. 34: pp. 230–258.
- http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/34/2/230
Fitzgerald, John A.
“Changing Patters of Officer Recruitment at the U.S. Naval Academy.”
Armed Forces & Society, Oct 1981; vol. 8: pp. 111–128.
- http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/reprint/8/1/111
Eighmey, John.
“Why Do Youth Enlist?: Identification of Underlying Themes.”
Armed Forces & Society, Jan 2006; vol. 32: pp. 307–328.
- http://afs.sagepub.com/cgi/content/abstract/32/2/307